Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

Let me start by saying that Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc is one of the craziest, but most awesome story-based games I have played in quite some time. This was originally released for the PSP the better part of a decade ago and I am kind of mad at myself that it ha taken me so long to play this, but man I am glad that I finally have!

Welcome To Hope Peak’s Academy

Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc is the kind of game that is very story-driven. The game is set in an “elite” school for gifted people and you playing as Makoto, get accepted into this school via some kind of lucky lottery system as you are pretty much average in every way. Upon arrival, you are knocked out and awaken where you are faced with this mean bear who informs you and the other students that you are held captive and the only way out is via murdering other students and getting away with it!

School Life

The gameplay of Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc is split into two sections. First up we have Class Life. Here you can traverse the school in the first-person point of view you move an icon around the screen that allows you to interact with characters and the environment. You have two sections of gameplay in the School Life portion of the game. One sees you being able to talk to classmates, getting to know them better, taking notes and so on. The other is where you come across a crime scene and must look for clues and figure things out. You get various skills that you can make use of to help you.

Class Trials

The other main section of the gameplay is the Class Trials and this is where your detective work comes into play. The students will have a heated discussion about who the killer is and you need to pay close attention here. Nonstop Debate, Hangman's Gambit, Bullet Time Battle and Closing Argument are the ways that the gameplay is split up and it is actually a great deal of fun. Having to pay attention, challenging what people say and then giving out your closing argument as you nail who you think the killer is! It is good stuff indeed and the kind of game that really does have you on the edge of your seat.

Overall, I think that Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc is a really cool game. Think of it as a darker and more intense version of the Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney-Justice for All. It literally had me hooked about five minutes in and it was the kind of game that I legit did not want to stop playing. It is worth noting that while the PSP version is great, they did release a better version for PC which is what I have played so I would recommend that you play that one over the original.

Final Score: 9/10

Pros:

• The story is truly fantastic
• Lots of characters to talk to and get to know
• Many layers to the gameplay
• The presentation is great
• It is a very addictive game

Cons:

• The story might be a bit dark for some
• Some of the dialogue on occasion repeats