I don't think people realize just how many time Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair's script was rewritten. Like, there's trivia that is well known amongst Danganronpa fans like how Fuyuhiko was originally going to be Mikan's second victim and Hiyoko was going to get the redemption arc that makes Fuyuhiko the greatest character in the series. It was changed so late in development that in the final game, their is an oversight about Hiyoko's murder, that being there was no murder weapon.

But that just scratches the surface of what the original vision for Danganronpa 2 was. For example, during the leadup to the games launch, Akane was featured prominently in marketing alongside Hajime, Chiaki, and Komaeda. Not only that, there are screenshots from some early version of the game which features Akane interjecting one of Hajime's arguments during a class trial.

Why am I bringing this up? Well, the same reason I bring up the unused content and narrative driven side quests in Fallout: New Vegas. It makes you wonder "How did they manage to pull off so much with so much left on the cutting room floor?" Though, I'd argue that reason Fallout: New Vegas is a masterpiece is because of the talented developers. Danganronpa 2 on the other hand is lighting in a bottle. Every other Danganronpa game fails as not only a detective game, but a narrative driven visual novel. Danganronpa 2, though? Yes and no.

What makes Danganornpa: Trigger Happy Havoc memorable is just how novel its concept was. With Danganronpa 2, the novelty wasn't there. But somehow the game has some of the greatest written character in detective fiction with a setting that raises the stakes with each passing chapter until the final chapter where you learn that one of the most dire consciences to failing to finish the Island Killing Game was just a ruse. Call me crazy, but the bomb in the center of Jabbawock Island being there to simply bring tension amongst the students is such an amazing "GOTCHA" moment that I believe that there was a bigger purpose for it that was cut out. Much in a way a film like Ghostbusters unused narrative elements being filled by narrative Gorilla Glue, I feel whatever ideas they had for the bomb would have never been as good as the final outcome.

Oh right, I'm five paragraphs into a review of a Danganronpa game and I haven't assessed the characters. Well, to be fair, that's because, well... uh... that's because there's nothing worth noting for most of them. Sonia and Akane are survivors but contribute very little to helping the surviving crew finish the Island Killing Game. Other characters like Teruteru, Ultimate Imposter, and Hiyoko clearly had something more that just wasn't delved in on. Even the new mascot character Monomi doesn't really do all too much Though, I will admit that when Monomi randomly mentions that she has a house on the island in chapter 4 but if you come over, you have to leave the door open because Monomi's parents don't like when she brings boys over, I broke. Like, it's so out of left field and never even brought up again... much like actual important, narrative pushing conversations aren't ever brought up again.

To talk about the characters that are well written, well look no further than Fuyuhiko. He exists in the prologue and first chapter to be nothing more a guy who occasionally gets verbally aggressive with the rest of the students. Than a majority of the way through the second trial... everything changes. You learn about his relationship with Peko and you see him breaking down as Monokuma announces Peko's punishment. The over the course of 25 hours, you get to watch this man absolutely torture himself over a death he believes he caused. You also have to remember that Fuyuhiko Ultimate class status is the Ultimate Yukaza, so you can only imagine what he did to himself off screen if on screen he slits open his stomach in front of HIyoko as a sign of sincere apology. Then when characters learn that Jabbawock is a simulation and they could possibly return home with the other students, everyone is excited... except Fuyuhiko, who's very first concern is asking something along the lines of "Peko is okay?" It really doesn't get much more than that.

I'm sure if you're reading this review, it sounds like I'm very unsure what to think of this game, but that's not true. I think that Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair is a game that by nothing more than the stars aligning ended up being one of my favorite games of all time. This game is flawed to its very core, but I'm willing to look through the fault and fractures of the game much in the same way the game does its own. I understand why people hate this series. The games are nonsensical and the class trials takes themselves so seriously with solutions that seem asinine to any normal reader. That's not even counting its fandom which I will not go into it, nope, you can't make me, LALALAICANTHEARYO-

Danganronpa 2 is an inherently flawed game. But it makes up for it with its moments of genius sprinkled thinly throughout the 40 hour runtime. I do recommend you check out this game if you have played the first game or watched a lets play of it. This game is something else, man.

Rating: S
Genre(s): Visual novel, puzzle