Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls

Overall, Ultra Despair Girls manages to be both a worthy distraction between the two mainline Danganronpa titles, while also giving a new coat of paint to the series' formula.

72%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

grinding, stability

85% User Score Based on 2,545 reviews

Critic Score 72%Based on 6 reviews

Platforms

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About

"Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls" is a spin-off of the visual novel series, set between the first two games. This third-person adventure game features horror elements and follows Komaru Naegi as she tries to survive in a city overrun by Monokuma robots. The game takes place in the aftermath of the tragic events of Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc, and offers a darker, action-oriented perspective on the series' trademark trial scenes and storytelling.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls screenshot

85%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,551 reviews

story397 positive mentions

grinding24 negative mentions

The game features a bold departure from the series, introducing a third-person shooter format that expands the Danganronpa universe.
The chemistry and character development between Komaru and Toko are well-executed, making their relationship a highlight of the game.
The animation quality, particularly in the 2D cutscenes, is top-notch and adds to the overall experience.

The game contains disturbing themes, including child abuse and sexualization of minors, which are handled poorly and can be triggering for some players.
Gameplay mechanics are clunky and repetitive, with frustrating camera controls and a lack of challenge in combat.
The pacing is heavily interrupted by lengthy cutscenes and tutorials, making the overall experience feel tedious.

story
1,224 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
61%
6%
The story of "Danganronpa: Another Episode - Ultra Despair Girls" is a significant aspect that has garnered mixed reviews. While many players appreciate its dark themes and character development, particularly the growth of protagonists Komaru and Toko, others criticize the handling of sensitive topics and the overall pacing. The narrative serves as a bridge between the first two games, providing essential lore and context, but some feel the gameplay detracts from the storytelling experience, suggesting that watching a playthrough may be more enjoyable for those primarily interested in the plot.
- “The story is amazing and on par with any game from the main Danganronpa series; if you enjoy those, you should play this game (or at least watch a let's play) for solely that reason.”
- “The story is great, the music is amazing, but the gameplay and graphics aren't good.”
- “The story is compelling and has really interesting new characters.”
- “As much as I’d love to focus on the positives first, I believe it is best to talk about the biggest issue with this game and why I don’t think you should buy/support this game because I went into it not knowing any of this, only that the gameplay is frustrating and the plot is boring.”
- “I also feel like some of the heavier topics this game incorporates into its story are not handled with enough care that it comes across as disrespectful.”
- “The story is awful and tries way too hard to be edgy and complex; sounding just like awful fanfiction.”
gameplay
778 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
57%
16%
The gameplay of "Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its departure from the traditional visual novel format to a third-person shooter style. While some appreciate the fun and unique mechanics, including puzzle-solving elements and character dynamics, others criticize the gameplay for being repetitive, clunky, and plagued by bugs, with a frustrating camera and lackluster controls. Overall, the gameplay is often seen as secondary to the engaging story and character development, making it a polarizing experience for fans of the series.
- “The gameplay is fun and the story is nonsensical enough to be a Danganronpa game.”
- “The gameplay is both mostly uninteresting and controls like ass, but I can say that it's worth playing for the story alone.”
- “The gameplay is good, fun, and the story makes perfect sense with the manga and anime.”
- “As much as I’d love to focus on the positives first, I believe it is best to talk about the biggest issue with this game and why I don’t think you should buy/support this game because I went into it not knowing any of this, only that the gameplay is frustrating and the plot is boring.”
- “While this third person shooter was something refreshing, it definitely was not the cleanest in terms of looks, controls, as well as mechanics, and the gameplay got extremely repetitive to the point of frustration.”
- “The gameplay is terrible in every aspect and there are a million bugs, but the story is mostly great.”
graphics
149 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
57%
16%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that they reflect its origins as a PlayStation Vita title, resulting in subpar visuals and inconsistent art styles. While some appreciate the unique aesthetic and find it fitting for the game's tone, others criticize the quality of 3D models and animations, describing them as outdated or poorly executed. Overall, the graphics are generally considered mediocre, but they do not significantly detract from the enjoyment of the game's story and gameplay for many players.
- “It reminds me a lot of Nyakuza Metro from A Hat in Time, both basically being neon cities at night, and I love that whole aesthetic.”
- “The graphics are great, the environments are pleasing to explore, and the gameplay is fun.”
- “The art style is unique and consistent, and I really like the updated artwork for characters and the HD models.”
- “Graphics will remind you it was made for the PS Vita, but it is still very worth it.”
- “The graphics, art, music, and trophies are all amazing.”
- “The main things I will warn anyone debating playing this game about is: the graphics in the gameplay sections and non-anime cutscenes are very bad.”
music
135 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
41%
2%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising Masafumi Takada's composition as exceptional and fitting the game's atmosphere. The soundtrack features a mix of beloved tracks from previous Danganronpa games alongside new, catchy pieces, enhancing the overall experience. While some players noted a reliance on recycled music, the general consensus is that the soundtrack remains a standout element, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.
- “Masafumi Takada always does an amazing job with the soundtrack, so I absolutely cannot complain.”
- “The soundtrack is superb, like all Danganronpa games.”
- “The music suits the game very well in enhancing the mood.”
- “The voice acting assists the story well, but the music was kind of a let-down, since it didn't really use any new tracks and had a lot of recycled songs.”
- “Never saw worse character writing and not even the soundtrack is original; they mostly use the songs from the previous games, the graphics look disgusting as well.”
- “Musically, however, the game is about as underwhelming as your average visual novel.”
humor
93 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
3%
The humor in "Danganronpa: Another Episode - Ultra Despair Girls" is a mix of dark, absurd, and sometimes uncomfortable elements, characteristic of the series. While many players appreciate the quirky interactions and comedic moments, others find the humor distasteful, especially when it intersects with serious themes like child abuse. Overall, the game maintains a balance of humor and heavy storytelling, appealing primarily to fans familiar with its unique style.
- “While the gameplay of UDG is a little different from others in the series, it has a great story, charming character development, and lots of humor.”
- “The dialogue was adorable and so funny at times.”
- “The characters are perfect: Komaru is a very likable protagonist, and her bickering with Toko is hilarious.”
- “The addition of Haiji and his general creepiness was so unnecessary; was it supposed to be funny?”
- “The jokes fell flat and often felt forced, making the humor more cringeworthy than entertaining.”
- “I expected a lighthearted experience, but the attempts at humor were awkward and missed the mark completely.”
character development
78 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
62%
4%
Character development in "Danganronpa: Ultra Despair Girls" is widely praised, particularly the dynamic between Komaru and Toko, which is described as authentic and touching. Many reviewers highlight Toko's significant growth, transforming her from a disliked character to one of the most beloved in the series, while also appreciating the depth and backstories provided for both main and side characters. Overall, the game's storytelling and character arcs are considered its strongest aspects, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of the franchise.
- “While the gameplay of UDG is a little different from others in the series, it has a great story, charming character development, and lots of humor.”
- “The character development of Toko especially is huge, and with her being a focal character in this part helps flesh out her character hugely, alongside Komaru who both influence each other as the game progresses.”
- “I absolutely love the character development that Komaru sparks in Toko, and the subtle hints of each villain's backstory before it's completely revealed.”
- “There is some recognition with child abuse and such, but the scene with Kotoko was completely unnecessary; Haiji's dialogue in an attempt to be funny was horrendous with absolutely zero character development, and Kurokuma's talk whenever Monaca was hugging him was disturbing.”
- “The character development for the main characters is the only thing that makes this game worth it at all, but even then you can just read the manga or watch all the cut scenes on YouTube.”
- “She's whiny, neurotic, annoying, and insulting pretty much all the time, and while they try to give her some kind of character development, it falls far too short as she's still just as irritating as she's always been.”
emotional
49 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
96%
4%
The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding the bond between the main characters, Komaru and Toko, to be heartwarming and touching, often leading to moments of genuine emotional impact. However, the game also grapples with dark themes such as child abuse, which can be unsettling, and some players feel that the inclusion of fanservice undermines the gravity of these serious topics. Overall, while the game offers moments of joy and connection, it also evokes discomfort and controversy due to its handling of sensitive issues.
- “The bond between Toko and Komaru is rather nice, quite heartwarming.”
- “The gameplay was fun, it made me laugh, it made me cry, I love the characters.”
- “The story and characters help carry the game from a bland shooter to a genuinely touching experience.”
- “It's just a really boring story, the gameplay is mediocre, and there's way too much repetitive gameplay in each chapter.”
- “Boring story and underwhelming gameplay.”
grinding
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
7%
86%
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and time-consuming, often requiring players to invest significant effort to progress or achieve 100% completion. Many reviewers noted that the slow controls and repetitive gameplay contribute to a frustrating experience, particularly during boss fights and puzzle segments. While some found enjoyment in the overall game, the grind often detracted from the fun, making it feel like a chore rather than an engaging challenge.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “A bit grindy sometimes.”
- “Game is extremely tedious and boring.”
- “The game itself is pretty tedious and the story barely makes it worthwhile.”
- “However, the gameplay itself is utterly unbearable, just grinding your way through dull monokumas.”
atmosphere
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
48%
14%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and bleak qualities, effectively capturing the despair and tension characteristic of the Danganronpa series. Reviewers note the soundtrack's strong alignment with the game's mood, enhancing the overall experience, while the darker themes and gory elements contribute to a uniquely oppressive yet engaging environment. Despite some mixed feelings about gameplay pacing, the storytelling and atmosphere are consistently highlighted as standout features that resonate with fans of the franchise.
- “This game does a great job of fleshing out the despair-stricken world we've grown to love all while maintaining the atmosphere and vibe of the series.”
- “The storytelling is amazing, the characters are likable, the music is great, and the atmosphere is so well done.”
- “Best atmosphere in the series.”
- “In comparison to the other 3 Danganronpa games, this one is by far the most gory/creepy atmosphere.”
- “There are, like in most of the series, many dark and triggering implications in the story, which helps build a bleak atmosphere that the story can take place in.”
- “The setting and atmosphere is brutal.”
stability
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous reports of glitches affecting gameplay, such as invisible walls, camera issues, and achievement bugs that require restarts. While some players found these issues tolerable within the context of the story, the overall experience is marred by frequent technical problems, particularly in graphics and controls. Despite these flaws, many still enjoyed the game for its engaging narrative and gameplay.
- “Also, some of the achievements are glitchy, and there are a few glitches present within the game which prevented me from moving forward, so I had to restart a few levels.”
- “There are lots of glitches and it's difficult to play when you can't change the sensitivity for looking around.”
- “While it has some flaws, such as glitches or not being clear on where to go, I found it entertaining!”
optimization
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
47%
20%
Overall, the game's optimization varies significantly across platforms. While the PC port is criticized for requiring high specs and lacking certain features, it generally runs smoothly without major performance issues. In contrast, the PS4 version is noted as a significant improvement over the poorly received Vita version, though players should be prepared for lengthy chapters that may impact performance grading.
- “I was ready for an underwhelming performance, as moving from a mobile platform, even one as powerful as the Vita, to a modern PC made me expect some degradation in the graphics, but the fact is another episode looks rather good in this format.”
- “The port for this game is good - I have not had any problems in terms of performance so far.”
- “Not optimized for PC very well, mediocre port at best, so your specs need to be way higher than anything sensible.”
- “Be warned, the chapters in my opinion are way too long for a grading system of performance, so if you're not ready for long hauls of gameplay that requires good performance for a good score, save and quit while you're ahead.”
- “It's the best version of the game, certainly better than the bafflingly bad PS4 port, though both are preferable to the Vita version for performance reasons.”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The game offers little to no replayability, with players noting that it is primarily a one-time experience focused on its storyline. Many reviewers feel that the lack of engaging gameplay and mediocre animation quality further diminish its value, making it hard to justify the full price for a game that is unlikely to be revisited.
- “For a game that I really only played once and have no intention of playing again, I can't really recommend it for its full price. I only really played it for the storyline as it does explain some plot holes, but honestly, the gameplay and animation quality was extremely mediocre. If you don't care for the overarching storyline of Danganronpa, I wouldn't recommend playing it compared to the other games. Overall, not a bad game, but in my opinion, not worth the higher price tag, especially since it had very little replayability.”
- “There is little to no replay value and you only get a book for beating the game (yes, like a book you read), so that first time is what you're paying for.”
- “Little to no replayability.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized for being overly aggressive, with numerous in-game purchases that feel akin to advertisements, leading many players to label it a cash grab.
- “There are so many of them, they're almost like ads.”
- “This game is a cash grab.”