The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy Explores Fan-Favorite Tropes Without Being Danganronpa 4

Having just completed Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony earlier this month, I’ve finally wrapped up the main narrative of a sprawling franchise that captivated me since its resurgence during the pandemic lockdowns of 2020. This timing was ideal as it set the stage for my dive into the demo of The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy at this month’s Steam Next Fest, with Kazutaka Kodaka’s renowned storyline still vivid in my mind.

In 2017, Kodaka, alongside some talented former Spike Chunsoft members, launched the independent venture Too Kyo Games. Since then, their releases have sparked speculation among fans, with many hopeful for a spiritual successor to Danganronpa. However, games like World’s End Club in 2020 and Master Detective Archives: Rain Code in 2023, despite bearing a semblance to Danganronpa, took different paths—opting out of the trademark “killing game” in the former, and steering clear of “school life” in the latter.

The Hundred Line appears to be taking the homage even further. After experiencing the demo, I noticed familiar musical motifs and sound cues that strongly echo Danganronpa, almost to the point of reuse. Not to mention, the art style and character archetypes evoke that comforting and slightly surreal familiarity of meeting distant relatives at a wedding for the first time.

The game’s opening sequence, lasting about half an hour, unfolds through fully-animated and voiced cutscenes—starkly different from the visual novel aesthetic we associate with Danganronpa. It follows a typically unremarkable teenage boy and his not-quite girlfriend, who end up in a series of misadventures leading to the protagonist waking in a strange classroom, confronted by a bizarrely unsettling cartoon mascot running the show.

Too Kyo is aware of fans drawing parallels, teasing them with characters excited at the thought of a deadly showdown. Yet, the story soon veers off, as The Hundred Line is a turn-based strategy game where the team must unite against evil robots and menacing monsters, circumventing the world-ending chaos often looming in the Danganronpa series.

As someone newly appreciative of turn-based combat, I find The Hundred Line intriguing in its strategy puzzles without being revolutionary. It seems tailored to captivate visual novel aficionados venturing into strategy games for the first time.

The demo, showcasing the initial seven in-game days, ends on a cliffhanger that those familiar with Too Kyo’s previous works might find satisfying. But, I don’t believe it’s attempting a covert reboot of the killing game under a guise; in fact, I hope it stays distinct. Kodaka has expressed through his expansive narratives why endlessly recreating Danganronpa isn’t necessary unless there’s genuine desire. With Too Kyo’s good standing with Spike Chunsoft, a fourth Danganronpa (if it happens) will likely retain its iconic name.

Approaching The Hundred Line solely as another Danganronpa might not serve anyone well. Yet, it clearly conveys an understanding of what drew us to Danganronpa, promising quirky characters and adventurous plots without sticking to the original’s stringent play style.

What I’ve played so far seems to artfully balance nostalgia and fresh innovation. Although I’m uncertain of which aspect will lead in the full release, I’m definitely hooked for the journey. In many ways, this game, set for 2025, is timely. It subtly reminds us of the value of collaboration over conflict, transforming established tropes into their evolved forms.

You can try The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy demo on Steam now, with the complete version launching on April 24th for Windows and the Nintendo Switch. Plus, good news for PC gamers: your demo progress carries over to the full release.