Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls
General Info
| Genres | Adventure, Horror, Shooter |
|---|---|
| Writers | Kazutaka Kodaka |
| Game Name | Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls |
| Composers | Masafumi Takada |
| Languages | English, Japanese |
| Playmodes | Single player |
| Developers | Spike Chunsoft |
| Directed By | Shun Sasaki |
| Produced By | Yoshinori Terasawa |
| Release Date | 2014-01-01 |
| Game Platforms | PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4, PC, PlayStation Now |
| Publisher Name | NIS America, Spike Chunsoft |
| Country of Origin | Japan |
Screenshots
Overview
Komaru ignored the chaos in the outside world and lived a normal life. But Monokuma's appearance pushes her straight into desperate situations. As Komaru tries to explore Trapper City, which is dominated by these hideous teddy bears, he soon comes into contact with Toko Fukawa, his classmate from Hope's Peak Academy.
The game introduces an element of strategic combat, a new feature in the series. It's a thrilling hybrid of high-stakes storytelling and intense action sequences. Players spend their time fighting Monokuma mobs using the Future Foundation Hacking Gun, a megaphone-shaped weapon that can knock out bears with truth bullets, each with a unique ability.
Toko Fukawa adds another layer of depth to the game with his murderous alter ego Genocide Jack. Players can switch between main characters, each with their own unique combat and exploration abilities.
This game is the main entry that deepens the lore of the series and offers new gameplay mechanics. The story deals with dark themes reminiscent of the series' origins and offers players an intriguing and exciting experience. With compelling characters, intense action, and a sinister plot, Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls is a must-play for fans and newcomers alike.
Trailer
Gameplay
The story takes place between the disastrous events of Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc and Super Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair. The story unfolds through the eyes of Komaru Naegi, Makoto Naegi's younger sister. Grieving and stranded in a sea of despair, Komaru is aided by series veteran Toko Fukawa as they venture into the city in despair.
Unlike previous iterations of Danganronpa, Ultra Despair turns the trials of the girls' class into a challenging fighting game experience. Players guide Komaru through the war-torn city, first using the Hacker Megaphone, a weapon that fires various "Truth Bullets". From simple disruptions to machine manipulation, each type of projectile has a different purpose in overcoming obstacles and defeating Monokuma. The strategic use of these Truth Bullets represents the essence of the game.
The game also introduces puzzle solving elements, adding an extra layer of gameplay. Komaru and Toko must solve puzzles to unlock paths and find hidden collectibles. The game seamlessly blends puzzles, exploration, and strategic combat, providing an enthralling pace of gameplay that constantly builds tension and intrigue.
Although Ultra Despair Girls focuses on real-time action, the game still maintains its signature dark humor and compelling narrative that keeps players engaged in the unfolding story. Combining these elements with a new gameplay format, Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls offers an exciting journey for longtime fans and newcomers alike.
Gameplay video
Plot
The Warriors of Hope, made up of five children from the elementary school section of Hope's Peak Academy, play a twisted game: they aim to kill all the adults and thus create a utopia for the children. Using the Hack Gun, a realistic bullet-firing megaphone derived from the Danganronpa series mascot Monokuma, Komaru teams up with Toko Fukawa, the Ultimate Writing Prodigy, aka the infamous serial killer Genocider Syo.
The game follows Komaru and Toko's harrowing journey through the city of Towa, solving mind-bending puzzles and battling Monokuma. The more Komaru digs into the crux of the crisis, the more she questions her own truths. Are good and evil as binary as they seem? Are the innocent really innocent and the bad guys really bad? What is Hope? What is Despair? The visual novel action-adventure game breaks traditional boundaries; the plot surprises with unexpected twists and shocking revelations that defy expectations. It is a story of survival and self-discovery in the face of dark secrets, gruesome intrigue, and the heavy weight of despair. As Komaru continues to unravel the mystery of Towa City, she faces a terrifying battle and intertwines her fate with that of the other survivors, becoming a reluctant hero in a city lost in despair.
Development
The development of the Ultra Despair Girls concept began when the team began production on Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair. Interestingly, although it deviates from the standard mechanics of its predecessors, the story unfolds in a coherent way, seamlessly fitting into the overall plot of the series. The game is designed to flesh out the stories of the characters from the first two offerings, adding Komaru Naegi and Toko Fukawa, adding depth and richness to the Danganronpa universe. The drastic transition to a shooter required massive technical changes. The introduction of combat and puzzle mechanics tested the skills of the development team. Despite the obstacles, the team was able to ensure that the game stayed true to the brand and remained independent enough to offer a unique interactive experience. These new elements allowed for a deeper exploration of the dystopian world on which the story is based.
A key element to the success of Ultra Despair Girls was the careful balance of action and story. The storyboard stages were tight and well-planned action-packed interactive sections with story-rich movies. These meticulous details helped create a game that was much more than just a stand-alone game. Indeed, it became a major part that expanded Danganronpa's plot, pushing the boundaries of traditional visual novel games.
Release
Players can enjoy easy puzzle elements in the game and use different types of truth bullets, different types of ammo designed to stun, distract, control or kill Monokuma robots. Additionally, Toko Fukawa, a character from the first game, returns as a playable character with her alter-ego Genocide Jack adding to the tension. This game delves into the universe's dark critique of society and offers a strong social commentary that is greatly appreciated by fans around the world. Despite being different from the original games, it still embodies the Danganronpa series' signature feature of exciting twists and turns. This is an absolute must-play for any Danganronpa fan who wants to delve into every part of the mysterious story that this iconic gaming world presents.
Reception
The game's plot was praised for its deep and thought-provoking themes that revealed the darker and more desperate side of the Danganronpa universe. The story kept the twisted humor and quirky characters of the series, keeping fans hooked and hungry for more. The interaction between the two main characters, Komaru Naegi and Toko Fukawa, gave the game an interesting dynamic and elevated the narrative experience.
However, the game has also received some criticism, often related to the inconsistency of its tone. While some appreciated the return to the deeper, darker themes prevalent in previous games, others felt it could feel a little forced at times. The game's graphical style, taken from the first Danganronpa, was visually consistent, but was sometimes criticized for not evolving with the story and gameplay. Overall, despite the lackluster critical reviews, Ultra Despair Girls has maintained its place in the Danganronpa franchise, offering fans a fresh take on a fascinating and desperate world. The game proved that the series was able to successfully step out of its comfort zone, making it an engaging and valuable part of the Danganronpa series.
Cultural impact
The game's focus on female protagonist Komaru Naegi and its exploration of complex and dark story themes bridged the gap between action games and visual novels, expanding the market for both. With Komar, Ultra Despair Girls pushed the boundaries of what a video game character could be and inspired other games to take less traditional paths.
In terms of story, Ultra Despair Girls was praised for delving into the psychology of the characters. The darkness and struggle of each character makes them more realistic and relatable, which in turn has led other games to focus more on character development rather than just gameplay mechanics.
The game's stark depiction of themes of trauma and despair has sparked much conversation and debate among fans and critics alike. It challenged the way such topics are usually handled in the games industry.
Additionally, the unique graphic style that combines pop art with dark horror elements left a mark on the game's design and inspired other game developers to experiment with their own art styles.
In popular culture, the Danganronpa franchise, including the Ultra Despair Girls, has influenced a variety of media, from anime to manga and even plays and music. It has built a dedicated fan base, creating artwork, cosplay, and social media communities dedicated to the game's history.
For example, Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls left an indelible mark on the world of video games and popular culture. Provocative themes, a compelling protagonist, unique game mechanics, and a compelling story continue to inspire and influence creators and fans around the world.