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Earlier this month, I had the chance to wrap up Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony, a series finale that’s held a captivating grip on my imagination since I first discovered it during the 2020 lockdown resurgence. With the game’s conclusion still vivid in my memory, I approached the demo of The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy at the Steam Next Fest keenly aware of its connection to Kazutaka Kodaka, the co-creator behind the legendary Danganronpa series.
In 2017, with the release of V3, Kodaka and a few talented former Spike Chunsoft developers launched an independent studio, Too Kyo Games. Their games have sparked interest, often hinting at a spiritual continuation of Danganronpa without being direct sequels. Fans looking for another Danganronpa moment with games like World’s End Club in 2020 and 2023’s Master Detective Archives: Rain Code found elements they knew, but each series wisely chose its own path—no deadly game in World’s End Club and no school setting in Rain Code.
Naturally, The Hundred Line has drawn similar scrutiny, but after sampling the demo, it seems like the game embraces its heritage more than its predecessors. Familiar sounds and music are peppered throughout, inviting fans into a world that feels strangely familiar yet distinct. The art style and character dynamics evoke that same bizarre yet comforting recognition, maybe like meeting distant relatives at a family gathering.
Right from the start, the game’s opening half-hour transitions through fully-animated and voiced scenes, a slight departure from the visual novel style that Danganronpa fans might expect. It so closely mirrors its predecessor that you’ll find yourself peering into a world where the ordinary collides with the bizarre—an everyday teen, along with the obligatory almost-but-not-quite girlfriend, finds himself thrown into chaos and awakening in a mysterious classroom, greeted by a fantastically creepy cartoon mascot.
Too Kyo Games playfully teases players by introducing a character eager to partake in a survival showdown, yet The Hundred Line takes swift detours. Instead, it’s a strategic role-playing game, focusing on collaboration against malevolent robots and monsters, thus preventing the apocalyptic scenarios lurking in Danganronpa’s background.
While I’m fairly new to the intricacies of turn-based strategy, I can still appreciate the intriguing challenges it presents, although the gameplay is anything but revolutionary. Experienced narrative developers generally know how to craft compelling experiences, and The Hundred Line offers a surprisingly good intro to strategy for fans used to visual novels.
The demo spans the first week in-game and ends on an engaging cliffhanger, sure to please long-time fans. However, don’t expect a secret return to Danganronpa’s lethal games. Frankly, I hope it remains distinct. Kodaka’s latest work resisted repeating itself unless genuinely wanted, and given healthy ties with Spike Chunsoft, should Danganronpa 4 ever be made, it would rightly be under its iconic name.
Approaching The Hundred Line with only Danganronpa’s allure in mind might shortchange you. However, it nods knowingly to its roots, delivering eccentric characters and zany plots without being boxed into a formulaic approach. It’s a fresh venture while sounding nostalgic notes, riding the line between innovation and homage. With its grand plan set for 2025, this kind-of sequel encourages unity over division, evolving those familiar tropes into something timely and meaningful.
Check out The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy demo on Steam now, and look forward to its full release on April 24th for Windows and Nintendo Switch. Plus, PC players can carry their demo progress over to the full game.
