The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy Embraces Classic Tropes, Not Quite Danganronpa 4

Earlier this month, I wrapped up my first playthrough of Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony. It’s been quite a journey, having finally navigated the entire main storyline of this sprawling franchise that’s captivated me ever since I was drawn into its resurgence during the 2020 pandemic lockdowns. With the finale of creator Kazutaka Kodaka’s renowned series still fresh in my mind, I was curious to dive into The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy’s demo at this month’s Steam Next Fest.

Around the time V3 hit the shelves in 2017, Kodaka and several former employees from Spike Chunsoft launched their independent venture, Too Kyo Games. Since then, they’ve rolled out several games that intrigued those hoping for a spiritual successor to Danganronpa. Yet, fans felt slightly let down by titles like World’s End Club in 2020 and Master Detective Archives: Rain Code in 2023. Although these games share some similarities with Danganronpa, such as its DNA, they veer away in certain aspects—like the absence of a killing game in World’s End Club and the lack of school life elements in Rain Code.

Now, The Hundred Line is treading that familiar path. After playing its demo, it’s apparent that this game leans even more heavily into Danganronpa comparisons than its predecessors. Danganronpa fans will find its musical motifs and sound cues eerily familiar, almost like they’re being reused. Additionally, the game’s art style and characters resemble the familiar warm yet slightly surreal feeling of meeting distant relatives at a wedding.

The game’s first thirty minutes unfold through a series of fully-animated, fully-voiced cutscenes that might feel a tad uncanny for those accustomed to Danganronpa’s visual novel presentation. The storyline begins much like its predecessors, with a typical teenage boy and his “not-my-girlfriend” crossing paths with unusual events on their way to school, culminating in the protagonist waking up in a strange classroom, face-to-face with a bizarre cartoon mascot holding the reins.

Too Kyo cheekily hints at your assumptions with a group member’s excitement about potentially being thrust into a life-or-death scenario. However, the narrative takes a different turn. The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy is a turn-based strategy game where characters band together to fend off evil robots and bizarre creatures, thwarting the world-ending calamities often seen in Danganronpa’s overarching narratives.

My newfound appreciation for turn-based combat doesn’t make me the go-to expert for evaluating The Hundred Line’s strategy game elements. However, I’m not entirely green and thus far, it has provided intriguing strategic challenges without breaking new ground. This approach is expected when a team known for narrative-driven games ventures into a new gameplay territory. I suspect The Hundred Line will appeal more to visual novel enthusiasts as an entry-level strategy experience than the reverse.

The demo spans the first seven in-game days and concludes with a tantalizing cliffhanger. I won’t spoil it here, but it should satisfy those familiar with the creators’ previous work. That said, I don’t believe The Hundred Line is secretly attempting to revive the killing game plot under a new genre disguise. Personally, I’d prefer it stayed this way. Having just completed a 60-hour expedition with Kodaka’s narrative, I respect his sentiment: he shouldn’t feel obliged to recreate Danganronpa unless he chooses to. Given the amicable relationship between Too Kyo and Spike Chunsoft, if a Danganronpa 4 emerges, it’s likely to bear its rightful name.

It’s best not to approach The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy with expectations solely for more Danganronpa. However, the game reassures fans that it understands what made Danganronpa captivating, promising unique characters and wild plots minus the restrictive gameplay formula of its predecessor’s trilogy.

What I’ve seen so far skillfully balances a fresh venture with nostalgic flair. I’m intrigued to see which side prevails in the final release, but one thing is certain—I’m on board for the journey. With a sort-of-sequel to Danganronpa releasing in 2025 that emphasizes collaboration over competition, it’s perhaps more than just a trope subversion, but an evolution of storytelling.

The demo for The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy is currently available on Steam, and fans can look forward to the full release on April 24th for Windows and Nintendo Switch. PC players will be pleased to know that progress from the demo can be carried over to the full game.