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Danganronpa V3:Killing Harmony

Despite its shortcomings, Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony is an excellent installment in the series. Though you have to finish it in order to truly appreciate its genius, the journey along the way is one hell of a ride.
Danganronpa V3:Killing Harmony Game Cover
87%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
grinding, stability
89% User Score Based on 17,624 reviews
Critic Score 80%Based on 1 reviews

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Danganronpa V3:Killing Harmony Game Cover

About

Danganronpa V3:Killing Harmony is a single player survival action adventure game with drama, mystery and thriller themes. It was developed by Spike Chunsoft Co., Ltd. and was released on September 25, 2017. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

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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89%
Audience ScoreBased on 17,624 reviews
story1.5k positive mentions
grinding114 negative mentions

  • The graphics in Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony are stunning, showcasing significant improvements with vibrant art styles and detailed character designs that enhance immersion.
  • The game features a captivating story with engaging plot twists and character development, creating a profound emotional experience for players.
  • The gameplay introduces new mechanics like the 'lie' system and 'scrum debates,' making it the most polished and enjoyable entry in the series.
  • The game suffers from numerous bugs and performance issues, particularly on PC, leading to crashes and unresponsive controls that hinder gameplay.
  • The ending has sparked significant debate among players, with many feeling it undermines the character and story development established throughout the game.
  • The monetization aspect has been criticized as a cash grab, with intrusive microtransactions and a poorly optimized PC port that detracts from the overall experience.
  • story
    4,484 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony is a polarizing aspect among players, with many praising its engaging plot twists and character development, while others criticize its controversial ending and perceived disconnect from the overarching narrative of the previous games. The game introduces a new layer of complexity with its meta-narrative, exploring themes of truth and lies, but this approach has left some fans feeling unsatisfied and confused. Overall, while the storytelling is often described as captivating and emotional, the ending has sparked significant debate, leading to mixed feelings about the game's contribution to the Danganronpa series.

    • “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.”
    • “The story relies heavily on the use of flashback lights (a tool created by Monokuma that gives the characters some of their memories back) to move the story forward, and the problem with these flashlights is that they give too much information to the characters, to a point where you can solve most of the school's mysteries early on in the story.”
    • “The ending of this game is what killed it for me and potentially killed the story as a whole.”
    • “The plot twist at the end is controversial but imo it was the most awesome idea i've seen in a story ever.”
  • gameplay
    1,796 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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 for its gameplay mechanics, character interactions, and overall polish, making it a must-play for fans of the franchise.

    • “The gameplay in drv3 is also noticeably better than the first two, adding to the new depth of the third game.”
    • “The game introduces so many incredibly fun gameplay mechanics such as being able to lie your way to the truth, or partake in mass panic debates, where sometimes the class trials can get chaotic by having 3 characters talking at the same time and you must try to listen to all of them individually to find the contradiction in their statements.”
    • “The gameplay is by far the most polished of any game in the series, with some really wonderful additions to the class trials and free time that make the whole game fun to play.”
    • “Overall the story is great, but gameplay is lacking, that part really feels outdated.”
    • “One of the most annoying bits they added to the court-room scenes is the whole lying to uncover the truth mechanic.”
    • “The ending is the worst part of this game and the game does have some good chapters even if one of them is a clone of the best trial in dr2, but the ending isn't the sole flaw that ruins this whole game, no that would be the gameplay, or more specifically the dialogue.”
  • music
    1,112 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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 catchy new tracks and remixes from previous games, effectively setting the tone for various scenes and trials. While some players noted a few weaker moments, the overall consensus is that the music is a standout element, contributing significantly to the game's emotional impact and atmosphere.

    • “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.”
    • “Wasn't as fond of the soundtrack in this compared to 1/2.”
    • “This game is terrible, the characters and music are all lacking compared to the other games.”
    • “The music in this game is sadly the worst in the series.”
  • graphics
    718 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics in "Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony" have received widespread acclaim for their significant improvements over previous titles in the series, showcasing a vibrant and unique art style that enhances the overall experience. Players have noted the stunning visuals, dynamic class trial presentations, and detailed character designs, which contribute to a more immersive gameplay environment. However, some users experienced performance issues on lower-end systems, indicating that while the graphics are impressive, they may require a capable graphics card to run smoothly.

    • “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 make you feel immersed in the game and I love that!”
    • “The overworld is still the weakest element to this game in terms of visuals, but even that is a little more refined… a little.”
    • “Not to mention this is way more data than the other two Danganronpa games, the graphics itself is buggier than them as well.”
    • “On high graphics, the game is unplayable for your standard PC.”
  • emotional
    540 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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 moments of intense heartbreak, particularly during pivotal trials and character deaths. However, some players express frustration with the narrative's twists, feeling that certain emotional investments were ultimately undermined, leaving them feeling conflicted about their experiences. Overall, the game is praised for its impactful storytelling and character development, making it a memorable emotional journey for fans of the series.

    • “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.”
    • “A breathtaking story that emotionally impacts you until the end, a game that makes you hope and despair over time, truly a masterpiece.”
    • “You will develop feelings for these characters, as they give you hope, but they destroy it just as fast as they give it to you, making it an emotional roller coaster experience.”
  • humor
    395 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in Danganronpa V3 is a mix of dark, absurd, and often juvenile comedy, with many players finding it both hilarious and cringe-worthy at times. Characters like Monokuma and the new Monokubs provide comedic relief, while the game's self-referential and fourth-wall-breaking moments elicit laughter, even amidst the serious themes of despair and death. Overall, the humor is seen as a defining aspect of the game, balancing emotional depth with quirky, often outrageous dialogue and scenarios.

    • “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.”
    • “It's boring, not funny, not interesting, not clever or smart, just sad.”
    • “One of them is selfish, manipulative, annoying, unfunny, stupid, and frustrating.”
    • “The other one is lazy, demotivated, stupid, unfunny, and pretty boring too.”
  • character development
    220 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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 character arcs lack impact or are overshadowed by plot twists. The character designs are generally celebrated for their creativity and uniqueness, contributing to a strong emotional connection with players, although some critiques highlight inconsistencies and missed opportunities in character storytelling. Overall, while the game is noted for its improvements in character development compared to previous entries, opinions vary on the effectiveness and execution of these arcs.

    • “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 has wonderful character development throughout the entire game and has enough plot-twists to keep you on your toes.”
    • “The outstanding character development twists my emotions and changes my perception on the franchise as a whole.”
    • “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.”
  • grinding
    128 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and time-consuming, particularly in modes that require extensive character development and achievement hunting. While some appreciate the faster bond-maxing mechanics compared to previous entries, others criticize the repetitive gameplay and mini-games, which can detract from the overall experience. Overall, players suggest that those seeking 100% completion should be prepared for significant grinding, often feeling it detracts from the enjoyment of the game.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “Worse, it is required to 'develop' each and every character in the high school mode, which involves ~10 hours of completely mindless grinding.”
    • “Fuck no, it's a long tedious grind, I mean if you really want to you can but I wouldn't recommend it.”
    • “This is the most tedious of the 3 main Danganronpa games.”
  • atmosphere
    116 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its dark, moody, and immersive qualities, effectively blending elements of tension, mystery, and emotional depth. Many reviewers highlight the impressive soundtrack and visual design, which enhance the overall experience, while some note that the atmosphere varies across different settings, with certain areas feeling out of place. Overall, the game successfully captures the essence of the Danganronpa series, maintaining a compelling atmosphere that keeps players engaged.

    • “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 atmosphere and scene is set as soon as you begin the game - greeted by an opening that summarizes the series in its entirety, whilst also setting up the tension and pressure for the oncoming killing game.”
    • “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.”
  • stability
    84 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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 before purchasing. Overall, the game's stability is a significant drawback that detracts from its potential.

    • “The game runs great overall, with only minor issues related to keyboard and mouse input lag.”
    • “Despite some input lag with the keyboard and mouse, the overall stability of the game is impressive.”
    • “This game (at least on PC) is a buggy and unpolished mess.”
    • “However, the controls are so buggy that the game itself becomes almost unplayable.”
    • “I've honestly never played a game so buggy.”
  • optimization
    72 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing significant lag, unresponsive controls, and performance issues, particularly during class trials and when using keyboard and mouse. While some users noted that switching to a controller improved performance, others reported that the game felt less optimized compared to its predecessors. Overall, while there are notable performance problems, they do not universally detract from the enjoyment of the game.

    • “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.”
    • “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).”
    • “Small optimization issues on PC, but that doesn't detract from how brilliant of a game it actually is.”
    • “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.”
    • “The issue with this game is the optimization issue, that is the unresponsive button that's going to be annoying, especially at the class trial.”
  • replayability
    50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's replayability is generally praised, with many players highlighting the presence of alternate paths, bonus modes, and post-game content that enhance the experience. However, some reviewers express mixed feelings, noting that while certain elements like character interactions and secret events add variety, the overall replay value can feel limited, particularly in class trials. Ultimately, the game offers a mix of high replayability features alongside some criticisms regarding the depth and payoff of repeated playthroughs.

    • “Even if you have beaten the main story, it has a lot of replayability thanks to alternate paths and tons of bonus modes.”
    • “But what makes this game truly stand out from its predecessor is the astonishing replayability of the game.”
    • “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.”
    • “Replayability (1/10)”
    • “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.”
  • monetization
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game has been heavily criticized, with users labeling it as a cash grab due to its intrusive microtransactions and misleading advertising. Many feel that the game's design reflects a lack of genuine effort from the creators, further exacerbated by poor PC porting and inadequate control options for keyboard and mouse players.

    • “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!”
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49h Median play time
45h Average play time
39h Main story
95h Completionist
30-60h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 74 analyzed playthroughs
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Danganronpa V3:Killing Harmony is a survival action adventure game with drama, mystery and thriller themes.

Danganronpa V3:Killing Harmony is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, iPhone and others.

The main story can be completed in around 39 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 95 hours to finish. On average players spend around 45 hours playing Danganronpa V3:Killing Harmony.

Danganronpa V3:Killing Harmony was released on September 25, 2017.

Danganronpa V3:Killing Harmony was developed by Spike Chunsoft Co., Ltd..

Danganronpa V3:Killing Harmony has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Danganronpa V3:Killing Harmony is a single player game.

Similar games include Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair, Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc, Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls, Life is Strange: Double Exposure, Zero Escape: Zero Time Dilemma and others.