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Review: Danganronpa 1&2 Reload (PlayStation 4)

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Danganronpa 1•2 Reload brings the first two Danganronpa games, Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc and Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair, to the PS4 for the first time ever in one package.

In Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc, enter Hope’s Peak Academy, a prestigious high school reserved for the nation’s “ultimate” students. Things get a bit twisted when the academy’s students find themselves trapped inside with Monokuma, a maniacal bear who has taken them all prisoner to play his deadly game of despair.

Continue the adventure in Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair with a brand new cast of Ultimates. Mysteriously trapped on Jabberwock Island in their own life-or-death game, having fun in the sun with this twisted teddy requires more than a bit of wit to survive.

Pros:

  • Graphics are sharper, Brighter and more vibrant than the previous game. going for a Persona influenced art style, the game is very much a looker. Pixel art retro graphics are used within the menu and on the main screen. Collectibles show up as pixel art.
  • 3.77GB download size
  • Platinum trophy. Its one trophy list combining both games. 45 trophies in total.
  • Crazy zany soundtrack that can go from subtle and chilled to in your face banging techno in no time! Both games really do have catchy soundtracks. The theme tune in particular will grab you.
  • Japanese/English voice options.
  • Difficulty: Gentle, Kind and mean. Select one for each setting, Logic and action.
  • Opening tutorial section that spans the whole prologue area. Here you will learn all about leveling up, earning fragments and how the general game plays out whilst introducing you to the story and setting the scene. This is the case for both games.
  • Controls are easy to remember and you always have a menu of them on hand by pressing one button.
  • Excellent voice work, Every character is unique and well voiced.
  • Gameplay is like a really dark humoured book with point and click aspects. Make tough choices, Take part in a Ace Attorney style courtroom battles, Bringing a selection of game styles into one unique experience.
  • The story starts off all bright and funny but then takes a huge dark twist in which everyone’s life is at risk.Spoilers so just play it for yourself but its great dark fun!
  • Can skip/ Fast forward dialogue.
  • Clear slick UI that is a joy to navigate. The map looks really complicated but in truth is its ridiculously easy and simple to interact with.
  • replay unlocked chapters from the main menu.
  • extras menu has a whole host of options for you to look at, unlock new ones. here you can buy new tracks to listen to, unlocked cutscenes and new events for example.
  • Talk with classmates, click certain words to get more info/learn more or interrogate further.
  • Handbook is your central item that is used for things like saving/loading. using your e-pet and looking at maps. you can also re read any previous conversations.
  • You have an e-pet which is basically a Tamagotchi. You must clean it and *spoiler alert* It poops a LOT! to make it grow and evolve into different creatures is to just simply walk around. Yep thats right, walking makes you pet grow. You have a handy counter on the side to tell you how many steps you have taken and how many you need to evolve your pet. you can get gifts for your pet to keep them entertained. you can even earn presents by looking after him so its worth doing!
  • you can level up by simply walking,interacting with people and places. You unlock new skills/stats and have a handy progression bar.
  • diverse array of characters that range from the serious to the funny to the creepy.
  • Gorgeous backdrops and the way in which levels load is beautiful.
  • fast loading times.
  • save when you want via the handbook.
  • the story is engrossing with horror,sex,murder and mystery.
  • 30 Save slots so never feel you are limited. Thats 30 save slots per game.
  • You navigate the world in 2.5D side on view with some areas like the central hub having you play in a first person view. Levels load by placing the scenery and characters in like a cardboard gruesome nativity scene.
  • You can fast travel to places.
  • You are on a central island and unlock new islands as you play through. In the first game its all set in the academy but additional areas open up.
  • Aside from the main story, you do get free time in which you can further grow relationships with other characters, explore the island at will.
  • Loads of unlockables to find.
  • Find hidden collectibles and they are displayed on a cabinet in your bedroom. You earn coins when finding them in which you spend them on extras or buying presents in game for your classmates.
  • Excellent top notch production values.

 

Cons:

  • Only one platinum trophy.
  • Slow starter.
  • Both games are so similar.
  • Opening prologue section is very long,slow and is full of reading.
  • Doesn’t feel as intimate on the big screen.
  • The mini games whilst fun are very short and don’t get as much limelight as you would hope.

 

Jim Smale

Gaming since the Atari 2600, I enjoy the weirdness in games counting Densha De Go and RC De Go as my favourite titles of all time. I prefer gaming of old where buying games from a shop was a thing, Being social in person was a thing. Join me as I attempt to adapt to this new digital age!