Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony

89%
Game Brain Score Based on 8,812 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony Game Cover
Danganronpa V3: Killiing Harmony not only gives fans more of the Danganronpa they know and love, but it elevates the series to new heights and leaves old players scratching their heads and reeling in shock at the twists the story takes.
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In "Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony" , 16 characters are held captive in a school and must investigate twisted murder cases, ultimately condemning their peers to death. The fast-paced trial scenes require quick wits, logic, and even deception to guide classmates to the correct conclusions. New mini-games and a fresh cast of characters set this episode apart from its predecessors. However, not everything is as it seems in this psycho-cool environment.

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Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

89%
Audience ScoreBased on 8,812 reviews
story747 positive mentions
grinding57 negative mentions
  • story2,242 mentions

    The story of Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony is a polarizing aspect among players, with many praising its intricate plot twists and character development, while others criticize the controversial ending that some feel undermines the series' previous narratives. The game is noted for its engaging storytelling, emotional depth, and the introduction of new mechanics that enhance the class trials, but it also faces scrutiny for perceived plot holes and a convoluted narrative that can leave players feeling unsatisfied. Overall, while the story captivates many with its unpredictability and complexity, it remains divisive, particularly regarding its conclusion and how it ties into the overarching Danganronpa lore.

    • “Just like the previous Danganronpa games, V3 is an absolute masterpiece of storytelling, managing to be equally as good as the previous, or even better.”
    • “A breathtaking story that emotionally impacts you until the end, a game that makes you hope and despair over time, truly a masterpiece.”
    • “The overarching story is very intriguing and goes in directions I wasn't expecting.”
    • “However, my advice to you in this game is just to quit after chapter one and think you just played the greatest video game ever like I did and not go any further in the story.”
    • “It's unfortunate that they don't have any effect on the story.”
    • “The story kinda sucks.”
  • gameplay898 mentions

    The gameplay in Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony has been widely praised for its improvements over previous entries, featuring new mechanics such as the "lie" system and "scrum debates" that enhance the trial experience. While many players appreciate the engaging and varied gameplay, some have noted issues with control responsiveness, particularly on PC, which can detract from the overall experience. Despite these concerns, the game is considered the best in the series in terms of gameplay mechanics, offering a rich blend of mystery-solving and character interaction that keeps players invested.

    • “The gameplay is what you'd come to expect from any Danganronpa game, with new mechanics that keep it fresh and engaging.”
    • “The gameplay in Danganronpa V3 is easily the best in the series, introducing new mechanics like the lie bullet and scrum debates that add depth to the trials.”
    • “Amazing art style, fun gameplay, and cool characters, all woven together into a murder mystery; it's the complete package!”
    • “Overall the story is great, but gameplay is lacking; that part really feels outdated.”
    • “The gameplay is what you'd come to expect from any Danganronpa game.”
    • “The gameplay is generally better too, though not everything is superior.”
  • music556 mentions

    The music in "Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony" has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its energetic and diverse soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience. Composed by Masafumi Takada, the soundtrack features a mix of original tracks and remixes from previous games, effectively capturing the game's emotional and thematic tones. While some players noted a few weaker tracks, the overall consensus is that the music is a standout element, contributing significantly to the game's atmosphere and enjoyment.

    • “The music themes in the game are stunning, and they also convey the adrenaline and emotions that make the gaming experience thrilling.”
    • “The soundtrack, composed by Masafumi Takada, is a perfect blend of catchy tunes and atmospheric tracks that complement the game's narrative and overall tone.”
    • “The music is fantastic, and I love both the concepts of the lie bullet and scrum debate.”
    • “The music in this game is sadly the worst in the series.”
    • “The only thing I didn't like was the music for the PTA or what it is called in this game the A.A.S.”
    • “Overall the cases, trial minigames, and music are a step down from Danganronpa 2.”
  • graphics359 mentions

    The graphics in "Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony" have received widespread acclaim for their significant improvements over previous titles in the series. Reviewers highlight the stunning art style, vibrant character designs, and polished visuals that enhance the overall gameplay experience, particularly during class trials. While some players noted minor performance issues, the general consensus is that the game showcases the best graphics and aesthetic presentation in the franchise to date.

    • “The graphics are stunning and the music is catchy and fits the theme of the game perfectly.”
    • “The distinct art style and character designs are as striking as ever, and the game's environments are detailed and immersive.”
    • “The graphics are a true upgrade when it comes to the graphics and gameplay.”
    • “The overworld is still the weakest element to this game in terms of visuals, but even that is a little more refined… a little.”
    • “Despite being given a graphical update over the first two, it manages to make things more confusing.”
    • “On high graphics, the game is unplayable for your standard PC.”
  • emotional270 mentions

    The emotional aspect of Danganronpa V3 is a significant highlight, with players experiencing a profound rollercoaster of feelings ranging from joy to despair. Many reviews emphasize the game's ability to create deep emotional connections with characters, leading to tears during pivotal moments, particularly in the trials. However, some players express frustration with the narrative's twists that can undermine earlier emotional investments, leaving them feeling conflicted about their attachment to the story and characters. Overall, the game is praised for its impactful storytelling and emotional depth, making it a memorable experience for fans of the series.

    • “A breathtaking story that emotionally impacts you until the end, a game that makes you hope and despair over time, truly a masterpiece.”
    • “From start to finish, this game takes fans on a wild emotional rollercoaster, playing with our deepest feelings and expectations in the most brilliant way possible.”
    • “The emotional investment fostered throughout the narrative journey only intensifies the gut-wrenching blows as these unique personas meet their untimely ends.”
  • humor197 mentions

    The humor in "Danganronpa V3" is a standout feature, blending dark comedy with absurdity and emotional depth. Players appreciate the quirky character interactions, clever dialogue, and the series' trademark mix of despair and hilarity, often finding themselves laughing at unexpected moments. However, some critiques mention that certain jokes can feel forced or juvenile, and the humor's effectiveness varies across different characters and scenes.

    • “After playing 60+ hours of this game, getting to know all of the characters, this was a combination of baffling and hilarious, but also wholesome to witness.”
    • “The characters are easy to like, the plot's details are amazing, and the comedy is hilarious.”
    • “Danganronpa v3 is weird, fun, depressing, thought-provoking, funny, and fantastic.”
    • “One of them is selfish, manipulative, annoying, unfunny, stupid, and frustrating.”
    • “The other one is lazy, demotivated, stupid, unfunny, and pretty boring too.”
    • “It's boring, not funny, not interesting, not clever or smart, just sad.”
  • character development110 mentions

    Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the depth and growth of key characters like Shuichi, Maki, and Kaito, while others feel that some characters lacked meaningful arcs or were overshadowed by plot twists. The character designs are generally celebrated for their uniqueness and appeal, contributing to a strong emotional connection for some players, though criticisms arise regarding the handling of certain character fates and the overall impact of the narrative on character development. Overall, while some players find this installment to have the best character development in the series, others believe it falls short compared to earlier titles.

    • “Overall, the character development is really good in this game, more so than the others, even if this development takes a really strange and somewhat bad turn in the end.”
    • “The game spends a great deal longer introducing you to the characters and building relationships between them and giving each of them fleshed out backstories, and, as the game progresses, character development.”
    • “The character development for Maki, Shuichi, Kokichi, and Kaito especially was exceptional.”
    • “The character development felt way, way weaker in this one compared to the first two games. Some characters did stand out from the start or grow on me by the end (like, four? five of them?), credit where credit's due, but the majority of them I either couldn't care less about or found outright annoying.”
    • “Peak Japanese game design to create an actually compelling female protagonist and then just straight up murder her for a boy's character development.”
    • “Had it not been for the ending, this game would have been my favorite Danganronpa game; however, that just goes to prove how bad the ending really was since it offhandedly dismisses any and all character development, story development, game mechanics, and mystery elements that were introduced.”
  • grinding64 mentions

    The reviews indicate that grinding in the game is a mixed experience, with some players finding it tedious and time-consuming, particularly in modes that require extensive character development and achievement hunting. While certain aspects, like the board game mechanics, are seen as improvements over previous titles, many still describe the overall gameplay as repetitive and frustrating, often requiring significant time investment for completion. Overall, players suggest that while some grinding is optional, it can detract from the enjoyment of the game.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “If you are a 100% achievement guy or gal like me, then be ready for some grinding and suffering.”
    • “Worse, it is required to 'develop' each and every character in the high school mode, which involves ~10 hours of completely mindless grinding.”
    • “The worst thing about Danganronpa V3 is that the characters' dialogue can be god-awfully tedious at times, just like when they constantly repeat conclusions for at least twenty times to the player, even though the said player has realized that conclusion 5 minutes ago.”
  • atmosphere58 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its rich and nuanced design, blending dark, moody elements with vibrant visuals and a compelling soundtrack that enhances the narrative. While some players feel that the atmosphere varies between installments, many appreciate the intricate dynamics and emotional depth it brings to the gameplay, creating a tense and immersive experience. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered a significant strength, contributing to its unique identity within the series.

    • “Such intricately woven dynamics thrive within the game's richly nuanced atmosphere, a concoction of youthful enthusiasm and mature themes that culminate into a paradoxical masterpiece.”
    • “The overall atmosphere of the game is dark and moody, and I really enjoyed the twisted and bizarre world that the game takes place in.”
    • “The aesthetic is phenomenal, the cast in my opinion is the best one of the games, and the music fits very nicely with the game's tense atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere feels totally different from a true Danganronpa game, and the ending left much to be desired, but if you love Danganronpa, you'll get some kind of enjoyment from it.”
    • “However, I don’t really see that in this installment; being able to go outside, see the sky, look at greenery, and see through windows in the main building doesn’t make the atmosphere feel oppressive to the point where a character would feel like they have no options left.”
    • “The second game, Goodbye Despair, was an improvement on the story front, with more emotional moments, and some tweaked gameplay mechanics, but was, for me, unfortunately let down by childish writing and dialogue, too light of an atmosphere, and some awful characters.”
  • stability42 mentions

    The game is widely criticized for its numerous bugs and stability issues, particularly on the PC version, where players report frequent crashes, unresponsive controls, and glitches that hinder gameplay. While many appreciate the storyline and overall experience, the persistent technical problems make it difficult for some to fully enjoy the game, leading to recommendations to wait for a sale rather than purchasing at full price.

    • “The game runs smoothly without any major crashes or bugs, providing a stable experience overall.”
    • “I've experienced very few issues with stability; the game performs reliably even during intense moments.”
    • “The stability of the game is impressive, allowing for seamless gameplay without interruptions.”
    • “This game (at least on PC) is a buggy and unpolished mess.”
    • “Crashes often and very buggy.”
    • “However, the controls are so buggy that the game itself becomes almost unplayable.”
  • optimization36 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant lag, unresponsive controls, and performance issues, particularly during class trials and when using keyboard and mouse. While some users experienced smoother gameplay after initial patches or by switching to a controller, others noted that the game is more demanding on hardware compared to its predecessors. Overall, optimization appears to be a notable concern, especially for PC users, though some players found the performance acceptable after adjustments.

    • “The optimization of this title worked well for me, but it is questionable, so try to do a bit of research to see if others with your specs ran it well.”
    • “Small optimization issues on PC but that doesn't detract from how brilliant of a game it actually is.”
    • “Important info: the game currently has known issues relating to performance while using the keyboard and mouse controls, however these issues can be easily solved by playing with a controller (Steam, Xbox, PS4).”
    • “I'm having a hard time recommending it because the class trial control scheme is swapped from 1 and 2, by default shows you non-PC inputs, is horribly optimized causing it to lag and be unresponsive during the most trivial of dialogue, and the 'shooter' vs 'Danganronpa' control option is broken and doesn't change anything, instead of swapping the silencer and truth bullet controls back to traditional controls like it's supposed to, it does literally nothing.”
    • “This game is horribly optimized for PC.”
    • “My only gripe with the game is that it is a lot more demanding (performance-wise) than previous titles.”
  • replayability25 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating the alternate paths, bonus modes, and post-game content that enhance replay value. While some find the class trials and main story less engaging upon replay, others highlight the variety of secret events and character interactions that encourage multiple playthroughs. However, a few reviewers express disappointment in the overall replayability, suggesting that it may not justify the game's price for everyone.

    • “Even if you have beaten the main story, it has a lot of replayability thanks to alternate paths and tons of bonus modes.”
    • “Returning from 2 are secret events that add variety and replay value to the main story, along with more free time events than previous games.”
    • “Despite the game being a hybrid visual novel, it has a lot of post-game content and replay value such as the backdoor feature and the talent development plan.”
    • “The class trials don't have much replayability with me mostly doing them again for achievements.”
    • “I know this sounds all super negative coming from me, but despite that, this game is actually very good, it's just that the good plot twists are way too slow to act as payoffs for playing so long and the replayability value is very low but the overall game was still fun to experience to a certain extent.”
    • “I'm a working man so for me it didn't matter much but for a visual novel which doesn't have much replayability, the 60€/$ price is too much.”
  • monetization5 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has been heavily criticized, with users labeling it as a cash grab due to intrusive microtransactions and misleading advertising. Additionally, the poor PC port and lack of proper controls for keyboard and mouse players further detract from the overall experience.

    • “It really shows how the creator didn't want to make this game in the first place and it all just feels like a cash grab, unfortunately.”
    • “0/10, awful PC port and cash grab; game cannot be full-screened, and gameplay controls are meant for a controller with no way to properly toggle keybinds for mouse and keyboard players.”
    • “Horrible microtransactions to play!”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

80% average critic score

Buy Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony

Play time

49hMedian play time
45hAverage play time
39hMain story
95hCompletionist
30-60hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 37 analyzed playthroughs

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