Coincidentally, I just wrapped up my first playthrough of Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony earlier this month. Now, having delved deep into this sprawling multimedia saga since its pandemic-induced resurgence in 2020, I’ve finally ticked off the last chapter of its main story. This couldn’t have been timed better, as it left the dramatic finale of Kazutaka Kodaka’s renowned series fresh in my mind just in time for my plunge into the demo of The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy at this month’s Steam Next Fest.
Back in 2017, Kodaka, along with some other notable former Spike Chunsoft crew, launched Too Kyo Games. Fans eagerly awaited their releases, hoping for something akin to a spiritual Danganronpa 4, albeit unofficially named. Think of World’s End Club (2020) and Master Detective Archives: Rain Code (2023). Both carried that Danganronpa essence but took their own unique paths—World’s End Club missed the iconic killing game element, while Rain Code sidestepped the school life setting.
Unsurprisingly, The Hundred Line has drawn similar comparisons. After diving into its demo, it’s clear this game is leaning more heavily into those parallels than any of Too Kyo’s previous works. Danganronpa aficionados will find certain musical themes and sound effects unmistakably reminiscent, almost like déjà vu. Then there’s the familiar art style and character archetypes, which evoke a sense of endearing yet slightly surreal recognition, much like meeting a friend’s distant relatives at a wedding.
The game kicks off with an intriguing first half-hour, full of fully-rendered, voiced cutscenes that might feel slightly off for those accustomed to Danganronpa’s visual novel format. Just like its spiritual predecessors, it introduces us to a regular teen boy and his not-quite-girlfriend, whose school day is disrupted by a series of quirky mishaps, ultimately leading our protagonist to awaken in an unfamiliar classroom alongside a bunch of strangers. They’re greeted by a bizarre, cartoonish mascot character in charge of the whole setup.
In a playful nod to player expectations, Too Kyo even includes a character who seems excited about the possibility of a last-man-standing showdown. But that’s where the roads part: The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy is actually a turn-based strategy game where characters join forces against malevolent robots and creepy creatures, potentially averting widespread chaos—a nod to the overarching calamities typical in the Danganronpa universe.
While I’m relatively new to the realm of turn-based combat, I’ve experienced enough to appreciate The Hundred Line’s strategic challenges. It offers intriguing puzzles without breaking new ground, aligning with what you’d expect when a story-driven team ventures into fresh gameplay territory. My hunch is that The Hundred Line will appeal more to visual novel enthusiasts exploring strategy games than vice versa.
The demo spans the first seven days of gameplay and teases a cliffhanger—which I won’t spoil—but it promises satisfaction for those fond of the developers’ previous narratives. However, I doubt the game is cleverly masking an eventual return to the Danganronpa killing game formula. Frankly, I’d prefer it stays distinct. After all, Kodaka’s 60-hour narrative tour de force doesn’t suggest he’s eager for a Danganronpa repeat, unless he truly desires to. Besides, with Too Kyo’s healthy rapport with Spike Chunsoft, any forthcoming Danganronpa title will likely bear its official name.
Heading into The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy looking for more Danganronpa might set you up for disappointment. However, the game assures fans it knows what made Danganronpa special: quirky characters and wild narratives, but this time unshackled from a specific gameplay style or repetitive formula.
This initial taste has managed to balance fresh exploration with nostalgic callbacks, and while I’m uncertain which aspect will ultimately take center stage, I’m committed to seeing it through. If you think about it, launching this semi-follow-up in 2025 might be perfect timing, reminding us that unity beats division—a theme that feels less like a trope subversion and more like a natural progression.
The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy demo is ready to explore on Steam, with the full game slated for an April 24th release on Windows and Nintendo Switch. PC players will be pleased to know that progress made in the demo will carry over to the complete game.
