yup I think so!
202020
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I’ve been coming back to Inscryption recently. Usually, I’m not a big fan of card games, but this is something else.
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speaking of card games, i’m on holiday and dabbling with slay the spire. not particularly enamoured with the sprites and stuff (they’re okay), but the depth and quality of all the potential builds, systems and synergies are staggering. like, the game is so goddamn meaty, i need a toothpick after every run.
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I’ve been on a Danganronpa binge. After beating the first game, I decided to play the other 2 main installments. I’m not sure how much I can really say about the games, they are all story driven visual novels and I’d rather not reveal any spoilery information.
So I guess to quickly say: if you like murder mysteries, large casts of interesting characters, dark humour, the battle royale genre, a fantastic OST, some anime flair, memorable antagonists, and a pop visual style, I do recommend this series. I’d start with the first game, you can get that on the Steam sales for like £5. The recent Switch compilation release of the 3 games (and a cash grab spin-off) might be a good look too, I think this is the kind of series that works well on portable. If you do pick that up, that is easily a good 60+ hours of game time over the 3 main games.
To talk briefly about the main games, first one I think is the simplest in terms of story, murder cases, and overall plot and ideas. That does work in its favour though, as it sets up the formula the next 2 games will utilise, as well as themes and ideas. I do think the ending and last act are pretty great but it does feel like the games stumbles abit before that trying to reach the last act which is disappointing. One of the murder cases has an element that I think could be seen as highly problematic which could be a turn off for people. (The other 2 games have some questionable elements too but tend to be alot more minor.) But still, I think the first game is still very solid and is enough that should tell you if you will like this series or not, but I do think it is my least favourite of the main 3.
Danganronpa 2 is… interesting. I think it is very good, but I think depending on who you are, you might not like the way its plot it is handled, I could imagine it might be a bit of a “shark jump” for the series. Its not a perfect comparison, but to me, Danganronpa 2 does for Danganronpa 1, what Metal Gear Solid 2 did for Metal Gear Solid 1, if you’ve played those games. This game has my favourite game cast, the cases are a bit more complicated and complex, the gameplay has been refined, it builds the series up in a good way, the ending is just heart wrenching. I think the best of the trilogy, but you definetly need to play 1 before this. Only main issue I have is that the murder cases are longer, and it does feel like there is a bit of bloat, in this and in V3, which can sometimes be very noticable, but otherwise, a real high point.
It is here when things get interesting. Danganronpa 3: The End is a 24 episode anime series, while Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony, is the third mainline series. There is also Danganronpa Zero, a prequel light novel written by the writer of Danganronpa 2, released before Danganronpa 2, is canonical, and would set up a few plot elements in Danganronpa 2. Danganronpa 3: The End was made to tie up some plot threads, and apparently needed to be an anime to do so. I don’t really buy that, considering Danganronpa at its core is a visual novel series, and don’t see why they couldn’t translate it into that format. The anime isn’t very good. I ended up binge watching it in 2 sessions so I could see where it went, and while it wasn’t a horrible experience, I think the ending is underwelming, and it doesn’t add much to the games. It feels like the writers for this has barely played the games at points. It doesn’t feel rewarding, and winds up being the kind of thing you just quietly say to yourself “yeah, I’m going to consider this non-canon”, even if it is.
Finally, Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony. I like this game even if not as much as 2, and I get the feeling this game has a more mixed reception in the wild. The ending especially is, well… I’m still processing it, the kindof ending I think I’ll need to sit and dwell on. Very marmite. Still though, I do like the cast of this game, there are some great cases, and some real gut punch moments. Shame the PC port of V3 is pretty jank. Couldn’t get the game to go to full screen, and it is one of “those” games were while you can use keyboard and mouse, the game internally never recognises that control scheme. I had to switch to my Xbox controller to play the game. And the game even lagged at me at certain points, which considering this game was made for the Playstation Vita originally shouldn’t be a problem. Hopefully the Switch and PS4 versions are a lot better.
So yeah, a new franchise I am officially a fan of. Couple spin-off games I haven’t touched yet like Ultra Despair Girls and S, I’m sure I’ll try them at some point. It has been 5 years since V3, hopefully we’ll see a fourth main game materialise at some point. Hopefully that Switch collection did well for them to perhaps consider it?
Also, well, uh, I haven’t actually played the new Hitman map yet. I’ve been too deep into finishing Danganronpa to have time yet. Guess I should probably do that before I get completely spoiled on it, and when I get Soul Hackers 2 next week.
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I’m up for it! Survival with a full squad is great fun!
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when i get back, ill get off my finely sculpted ass and start organising.
looking forward to it!
i need to practice
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Finished my first ever replay of Disco Elysium over the weekend.
AUTHORITY
97%
+1 Kim trusts you
+2 Kim truly trusts you
11/10 best game evah
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Still playing Hitman 3 non-stop, and am only 15 Featured Contracts in the H1 and H2 maps from finally getting those challenges finished. Then it’s on to getting 20 mastery in the 3 sniper maps, then all the escalations, and then the mission-specific challenges that I haven’t completed in the normal course of playing. After that, I’ll be Don with all challenges in the game, other than any new ones that are released from that time forward, such as in Arcade mode or Freelancer. Once I’ve got 100% game completion, it’ll be time to finally just sit back and play it for fun only.
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Completely unrelated yet related cause scats post near your name reminded me, but you should play disco elysium. I wonder how your argumentative, im always correct personality would gel with the choices you can make in that game
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I’m only always correct in regards to a series’ lore, and after I’ve had years to study and obsess over it, like Hitman, The Walking Dead, or the MCU. I would not be able to display such attitude to a game that I’m new at, not for a while.
That being said… uh, what’s this game?
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@Accidental_Kills98 can probably give you a better gist of Disco Elysium that I could. But I agree with Khakiasp, I think it is the kind of game that would suit someone as opinionated as you. Its basically a narrative driven game where you play someone with amnesia trying to solve a murder case, but there is lots and lots under the surface, with lots of politics and interesting characters.
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For disco elysium i thought that attitude would be perfect, you wanting to be right morally rather than lorewise. And its about solving a mystery which might suit that mindset too
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Huh, could be. I do love investigations; as mentioned elsewhere on the forum, I do have a degree in criminal justice from a earlier desire to be a homicide detective.
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imo it’s one of the best written anythings i’ve ever read. it’s funny, bleak, absurd, thought-provoking and deeply moving all at once.
what am i, chopped liver?! 
at its heart, it is a really well written choose your own adventure. ostensibly, it centres on a murder investigation set in an absurdist, politically-charged, disco-infused, diesel-punk world.
but really, it’s a murder investigation of a city. it is also an existential murder investigation of your character’s character; a personality test of sorts. you see, your character is an amnesiac and has to piece themselves together, though it is in no way dealt with in a cliched way.
there are two features that particularly stand out:
one is that you are in constant dialogue with the voices in your character’s head, and they also argue with each other. these are actually what would normally be character attributes in any other rpg, but rather than strength and luck, you have everything from their sense of authority to their connection with machines to their coolness to their ability to handle pain. it’s insane.
the second is the thought cabinet, essentially an inventory of ideas you pick up in the myriad conversations you have throughout the game (it’s very dialogue heavy). you put thoughts here to marinate and they open up stat bonuses, new dialogue options, or even whole new quests.
anyway, the long and the short of it is that it is brilliant and you should play it immediately.
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Everyone owes it to themselves to be put in the shoes of a certain disco detective
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they may have lost some of their lustre over the years, but those green crocodile leather shoes fit perfectly.
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But if you truly want to prove something to the world then you can’t go wrong with a horrific necktie 
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I think it will either destroy him or he will be completely disaffected with the game. Which means that he should totally play Disco Elysium.
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Forgive me for oversimplifying, but it sounds like an Agatha Christie story crossed with The Suffering, with amnesia.
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