Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony

 PC
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 5 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Dec 31, 2018
    80
    A duty for all lovers of detective mysteries and other puzzle games. Unfortunately, you need quick reflexes and the ability to survive before something interesting happens. [Issue#288]
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  2. Adventure Gamers
    Jan 16, 2018
    80
    Newcomers need not apply, but fans of the Danganronpa series are in for a treat, as the story and characters are among the best we’ve seen, while the gameplay introduces just enough tweaks to keep things interesting.
  3. DarkStation
    Oct 26, 2017
    80
    Danganronpa V3 is not without its flaws. Class trials don’t always pan out and pacing gets in the way at times, but this is still the same Danganronpa fans have grown to love over the years. The wonderful cast of characters and immersive plot coupled with a plethora of endgame options makes this a must-play game for fans and newcomers alike.
  5. IGN
    Sep 22, 2017
    80
    Ultimately, Danganronpa V3 doesn’t add too much new to the series. But that’s okay – it doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel when the wheel we already have still rolls out eclectic characters and shocking moments so reliably. It’s a great rollercoaster of hope and despair with a climax that made me sit back and think about everything that just happened. The road to the end of Danganronpa V3 is long and twisted, but the ride is well worth it.
  6. Hardcore Gamer
    Sep 19, 2017
    80
    Overall, Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony is yet another excellent installment in the franchise, delivering up another set of grisly murders and the well-crafted conundrums and kangaroo courts that result from them while still keeping a focus on black humor and twisted school life. While it does suffer from a few bad apples in the cast and one of the most “WTF” finales in recent video game history, the gameplay has received enough of the right changes that it needs to make things more balanced and allow for some intense count sessions while still keeping you hooked on where all of this insanity is going yet again. One has to wonder where the series will possibly go from this, but for now, Monokuma has indeed gifted us with one more killing game that’s worth checking out.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 129 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 84 out of 129
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 129
  3. Negative: 26 out of 129
  1. Zaltys
    Feb 24, 2018
    6
    Everyone tends to focus on the ending, but I didn't enjoy rest of the game either. The first trial is okay, but after that it runs out ofEveryone tends to focus on the ending, but I didn't enjoy rest of the game either. The first trial is okay, but after that it runs out of steam. Trials drag on long after the murderer becomes obvious, the humor seems stale (unless you like random anime references), most characters have no depth to them, and even the new mini-games are boring. Definitely the weakest game in the main series.… Full Review »
  2. ExLight
    Jul 15, 2018
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. This game is pretty much a 40 hours long version of case 2-3 (Turnabout Big Top) from the Ace Attorney series but with a terrible tryhard meta ending. Sharing the same problems as the infamous case: the lack of a coherent story, and characters that feel bland and stupid amidst mistimed nonsense comic relief. Let's break it down.

    A futuristic setting with a fresh theme of Lies vs. Truth. With all the hype built through the years that preceded the release, the expectations were high for this game. After two incredible main games, with interesting twists and (some) memorable characters, the start of a new saga unrelated to the Hope's Peak Arc fills everybody with hope and despair.

    Firstly, the new mechanics. The new minigames are not an improvement, they still feel somewhat the same from the previous games, not appealing but kinda nice to break the monotony of a tiring class trial. Perjury is an interesting concept, but it was poorly worked: the back routes could be interesting but are way too short to the point of feeling more like an easter egg than a feature; I also don't like the fact it isn't optional at some points. Debate Scrums are stupid, require no thinking and the fact you're always on the correct side is annoying. Panic Debates despite being more realistic are just chaotic in this game, most of the characters are just spouting gibberish while you're the one panicking trying to end it asap.

    Secondly, the common points. Some cases are fantastic, V3 has some of the best murders mysteries of the series; on the other hand, some are pretty streched, forced, and/or predictable (i.e. cases 2 and 3). Executions are decent, the usual weirdness is there. Monokuma feels off without the Despair vs. Hope fight being the focus. "Junko" is bad. Side character (Maki) is pretty good despite being somewhat generic and lackluster after Kirigiri and Chiaki. Rival (Kokichi) is way duller than appears, with a conflicting character development that results in him being outshined by Komaeda and even Togami.

    The game starts pretty strong, with a solid and surprising first case (if you finished the game you know that this case loses all its shine due to the deus ex machina randomly thrown in it). It's still early in the game, and it introduces new potentially interesting characters. The twist is exciting and shocking. The new theme is introduced coherently and somewhat well developed. Monokubs are downright annoying and unnecessary.

    On the Chapter 2 it starts to feel uneasy. At this point it's made clear that Gonta, Himiko, Kaito, Miu and Tenko are irrelevant, instead they'll be repetitive comic relief characters with annoying catchphrases and/or lack of real personality for the rest of the game. The "How" is predictable, and the case is able to ruin and kill the characters with the most potential.

    Chapter 3 is about an incestuous creepy crazy serial killer with dissociative identity disorder murdering two people outta nowhere for his dead sister that is actually himself. Sounds ludicrous, right? Yeah. "How" and "Who" are obvious. Case is annoying, tries to have this mythical and eerie vibe. Just ends up being stupid.

    Chapter 4 is pretty good. The "How" is somewhat predictable, but the way the case progresses is really interesting. Here we get to see some real antagonism by Kokichi, which is way better than him just lying to stall the trial "for fun".

    Chapter 5 has an awesome trial, to me one of the best from all 3 main games. it has twists enough to make the player question their own sanity. "Who", "How" and "Why" are completely unpredictable and masterfully done. Kokichi's character development from the previous chapters is thrown outta the window. Here we see the effort that should've been put into the whole game.

    Chapter 6 is what we all know. In a rushed attempt to tie all the loose ends it ruins the first case, sh*ts over the already bad story to replace it with a bad 4th wall breaking ""plot"" twist. No decent internal conflict, terrible mastermind, discards all development the game had built, etc.

    The "story" progression has no effort, it's just about collecting the vague Flashback Lights and comical events; the characters are just apathetic after the trials; the comic relief ends up being vulgar and mechanical. In the end, it does deliver what it intends: a bunch of uninteresting characters without any real talent, a washed-up charmless shallow reality show, a Bollywoodesque absurd story that gets a little too self-conscious, and Monokuma(s).

    Intentionally or not, this game is clearly an unpleasant satire of the own Danganronpa franchise. The fact people just seem to ignore this and love it blindly to feel better about wasting their money is one of the most uncomfortable aspects of this game to me. It mocks every player and every meta game, pointing out how oblivious this fanbase has grown.
    I'd say this game deserves a 53/100 to match its title, but that would be a lie    … Full Review »
  3. Shimmeywill
    Mar 13, 2020
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. Some fun characters, good music and presentation and satisfying gameplay. However, there are a lot of eye roll inducing moments and frustrating situations. The ending might just be one of the most drawn out, obnoxious, fart smelling endings that soured an otherwise strong experience. The ending worked hard to make me not give a **** and move onto something better.… Full Review »
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