Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

90%
Game Brain Score Based on 14,045 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc Game Cover
Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc is easily one of the PlayStation Vita's niche gems with rock solid presentation and a gripping story that doesn't let you go till the end.
Starting at €19.99Buy now
Get on Steam

In "Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc," Makoto Naegi and his classmates at Hope's Peak Academy are held captive by a sadistic bear named Monokuma. Students must murder a classmate and get away with it to gain freedom, and it's up to you to investigate incidents, gather clues, and participate in trial debates to uncover the truth. Be careful what you wish for, as sometimes the truth can be deadly.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Android
  • Linux
  • Mobile Platform
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station Vita
  • PSP
  • Tablet
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

90%
Audience ScoreBased on 14,045 reviews
story2,085 positive mentions
grinding121 negative mentions
  • story4,646 mentions

    The story of "Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc" is a captivating blend of mystery, psychological thriller, and dark humor, centered around a group of high school students trapped in a deadly game orchestrated by a sinister bear named Monokuma. Players navigate through a series of murder trials filled with unexpected plot twists and character development, keeping them engaged and on the edge of their seats. While the gameplay mechanics may not be as strong as the narrative, the intricate storytelling and memorable characters make it a must-play for fans of visual novels and mystery games.

    • “With the unique art style, story, characters, sounds, and music, this game is so memorable and original, and you will commend everyone in the team for that.”
    • “This game absolutely blew my mind with its twists and surprises and exceptional storytelling. The mystery aspects, characters, and class trials are exactly what's been missing in my life for the past 20 years.”
    • “The story's murder investigations and central mystery keep you hooked for its substantial playtime, and when the final twist is revealed by the end, the payoff is very good.”
    • “The story falls short on creativity and ultimately just feels lacking.”
    • “The story is very generic, with several poorly executed plot twists, but as for the pre-trial investigation and anticipating who the killer is, it's quite entertaining.”
    • “The story is nonsensical even by anime standards; the 'mystery mastermind' is obvious from the get-go and their motivation doesn't make a lick of sense, the characters are bland and the over-the-top murder cut-scenes are tasteless.”
  • gameplay1,787 mentions

    The gameplay in "Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc" is a blend of visual novel elements and interactive mechanics, primarily centered around investigation and class trials. Players engage in a mix of dialogue-heavy exploration, puzzle-solving, and unique trial mechanics that involve shooting down contradictions with "truth bullets," reminiscent of the Ace Attorney series. While some players find the gameplay engaging and innovative, others criticize it for being repetitive or overly simplistic, with certain mechanics feeling unnecessary or frustrating. Overall, the game is praised for its compelling story and character development, with gameplay serving as a supportive element rather than the main focus.

    • “The gameplay during the trials is so unique and fun.”
    • “The gameplay is also really fun, switching between normal school life, investigating murders, and then solving them during class trials.”
    • “The trial segments feature clever logic puzzles and gameplay mechanics, such as shooting contradictions with truth bullets, adding an interactive element to the storytelling.”
    • “Gameplay-wise, it felt like an 'easy' version of an Ace Attorney title, with some strange mechanics and not much challenge at all.”
    • “Fair warning, the game starts absolutely slow and dull, with the onboarding and introduction of so many mechanics for the trial gameplay very frustrating.”
    • “Absolutely awful game mechanics, clunky controls, and downright idiotic situations where the game asks for a contradiction but the right answer isn't a contradiction.”
  • music1,019 mentions

    The music in "Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc" is widely praised for its exceptional quality and ability to enhance the game's atmosphere, with many tracks described as catchy, energetic, and fitting for various emotional moments. Players appreciate the diverse range of styles, from upbeat themes during class trials to haunting melodies that underscore the game's darker themes, making the soundtrack a standout feature that contributes significantly to the overall experience. However, some reviewers noted that certain tracks can become repetitive over extended playtime, yet the overall consensus is that the music is a major highlight of the game.

    • “The soundtrack is just phenomenal!”
    • “Combined with the liminal space as you explore the school and soundtracks like 'death wish' creates this absolutely unique feeling I would love to call... atmospheric.”
    • “The music is perfect; it's everything!”
    • “The majority of the soundtrack is dreadfully annoying.”
    • “The music that's constantly playing while talking to people and moving is the most chipper jazzy headache-inducing thing you can imagine.”
    • “For a game that I spent 30 hours in, the music got old incredibly fast.”
  • graphics727 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their unique and memorable art style, which combines vibrant colors and a pop-up book aesthetic that contrasts with the darker themes of the narrative. While some players note that the visuals can appear dated, especially given the game's origins as a PSP title, many appreciate the charm and creativity of the character designs and environments. Overall, the distinctive art style and engaging soundtrack contribute significantly to the game's immersive experience, making it a standout in the visual novel genre.

    • “The art style is amazing and super engaging.”
    • “The graphics are unique as they simulate a paper cutout environment in rooms.”
    • “Danganronpa's art style is made to look like that of a pop-up book most of the time which contrasts greatly to the dark contents of this read.”
    • “The graphics are absolute dog water, it looks like a flash game.”
    • “Danganronpa was originally released on the PSP in 2010 and it shows: the graphics are bad, the characters are 2D, and the visuals are low quality.”
    • “The graphics could have been better, and a lot of the 2D sprites in the rooms were pixelated.”
  • humor434 mentions

    The humor in the game is a blend of dark, absurd, and often self-aware comedy, primarily driven by the character Monokuma, a comically sinister bear. Players appreciate the quirky dialogue and memorable characters, which create a unique atmosphere that balances humor with the game's darker themes of murder and despair. While some find the humor hit-or-miss, many enjoy the bizarre and often hilarious interactions that keep the experience engaging and entertaining.

    • “The absurdity of the situations, coupled with the dark humor infused into the dialogues, serves to balance the grim nature of the killing game with moments of levity.”
    • “This game manages to be tragic and funny in the same breath multiple times and by the end there will certainly be a character or two you'll really enjoy.”
    • “The writing is goofy and funny in quite an endearing way and the characters are a big part of that.”
    • “The main flow of the story is how the dialogue sometimes drags with unnecessary, unfunny jokes or repeats the same information several times, which slows the pacing, but this isn't a game-destroying flaw.”
    • “Shallow, pretentious, unfunny, and can't even hold his bear pun consistently. It's obvious that the writers liked 'Virtue's Last Reward' so much that they decided to copy everything, even the murderous mascot.”
    • “I can’t be arsed dealing with 'lol random' sort of dialogue and actions; that kind of stuff was unfunny back in the 90s, never mind today.”
  • emotional226 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is a significant highlight, with many players expressing deep attachments to the characters, leading to intense feelings of sadness and heartbreak during pivotal moments, particularly deaths. The narrative effectively combines humor with emotional depth, creating a rollercoaster experience that resonates strongly with players, often resulting in tears and a profound sense of loss. Overall, the game is praised for its ability to evoke strong emotional reactions, making it a memorable and impactful experience for those who engage with its story and characters.

    • “Prepare for heartbreaking moments as you play; this is an emotional roller coaster.”
    • “The twists and turns hit super hard, and the emotional payoffs are...well...emotional!”
    • “This game is about murders and solving them, and it's an emotional rollercoaster, although I fell in love with the game before the murders even began.”
  • atmosphere212 mentions

    The atmosphere of "Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc" is widely praised for its unique blend of tension, claustrophobia, and emotional depth, enhanced by a haunting soundtrack and striking art style. Players appreciate how the game's setting and music create an immersive experience that evokes feelings of dread and suspense, making the narrative's twists and character dynamics even more impactful. Many reviewers consider this installment to have the best atmosphere in the series, effectively capturing a sense of despair and intrigue that resonates throughout the gameplay.

    • “Great concept, amazing atmosphere, pretty well written mysteries, perfect art style, and an absolutely wonderful soundtrack.”
    • “Visually striking and complemented by a haunting soundtrack, 'Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc' creates an immersive atmosphere that keeps players on edge throughout their journey.”
    • “The atmosphere, the characters, and the music all combine to make an incredible experience that I would 100% recommend.”
    • “The atmosphere is probably the scariest out of all the Danganronpa games, being the claustrophobic, strangely lit, and ominous school; and I feel like the other games have not been able to capture this feeling as well with its settings.”
    • “I absolutely appreciate the dark, morose atmosphere the game attempts to build, but it's so often hurt by many superfluous concepts and inattentive art styles of the environment.”
    • “Overall, this game suffers from many standard issues that break the player away from being fully immersed into its supposedly dark and brooding atmosphere.”
  • character development180 mentions

    Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with many players praising the depth and emotional arcs of certain characters, while others criticize the overall writing quality and reliance on stereotypes. The unique character designs are often highlighted as a strong point, enhancing the players' connection to the characters, though some feel that not all characters receive adequate development, particularly those who are killed off prematurely. Overall, while the game offers engaging character interactions and moments of growth, the execution can be inconsistent, leading to a varied experience for players.

    • “Many people undergo genuine character development or reveal their hidden character traits partway through the story.”
    • “The character development is phenomenal and the story keeps you on the edge of your seat wanting more.”
    • “The atmosphere, the character development, and the immersion (especially during class trials) are phenomenal.”
    • “Well, as I mentioned, it is a typical anime, with the stereotypical characters, some with a bit more character development than others, but still extremely one-dimensional, with cringy dialogue lines in general.”
    • “Some characters who were due for character development are weirdly killed off before it happens.”
    • “However, in this game, a lot of characters get barely any character development.”
  • grinding138 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, particularly in post-game modes and achievement hunting. While some enjoy the challenge of grinding for achievements and character development, others feel it detracts from the overall experience, making gameplay feel like a slog. Overall, players suggest that while the story and trials can be engaging, the excessive grinding can diminish enjoyment, especially for completionists.

    • “It has beautiful writing, an amazing soundtrack, and playing through the class trials wasn't tedious in any way, shape, or form.”
    • “The school mode that unlocks after the first playthrough is grindy and repetitive in the worst way possible.”
    • “Overall, I give this game a 9/10 as playing through the game was very fun, but the very grindy achievements made completing the game feel like a bit of a slog.”
    • “I will say if you get really attached to the characters, be prepared for a lot of grinding to try to get all of the story.”
  • replayability95 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players praising its multiple branching paths, hidden content, and alternative modes that encourage revisiting the game, while others note a significant lack of replay value due to its linear story and predictable outcomes. Many agree that while the initial playthrough is engaging and offers substantial playtime, the overall replayability is limited, primarily appealing to completionists or those interested in exploring different character interactions. Overall, the consensus suggests that while there are some elements that enhance replayability, the game is best enjoyed in a single, immersive experience.

    • “Replay value: the game offers multiple branching paths, hidden content, and alternative endings, encouraging replayability.”
    • “Even after you are done with the game there is still so much to do, as there are side bonuses like character art, music tracks, replayable cut-scenes, and an 'What if?' mode, and much, much more.”
    • “The combination of stylized graphics and resonant sounds with the simple yet still intense minigames and the crazy yet still human plot, themes, and characters makes for quite a replayable game, indeed.”
    • “I don't think there is much replay value as you can only 'figure out' the game once.”
    • “There's also a lack of replayability.”
    • “The only major drawback this game has is its lack of replay value.”
  • optimization26 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is mixed; while some players report smooth performance and high frame rates, others experience stuttering and frame drops, particularly on lower-end systems. The port from PSP shows signs of age, with some controls and menus needing better adaptation for PC, but many users find it runs adequately for the type of game it is. Despite minor graphical glitches, the voice acting and character performances are consistently praised, enhancing the overall experience.

    • “It's well optimized and everything works out perfectly.”
    • “Amazing port, just some minor graphical glitches with the textboxes, but overall runs smoothly.”
    • “Lastly, given how old the game is, there are a couple of technical things to keep in mind - the game's performance degrades every now and then, with stutters even on the highest end settings.”
    • “The game is a port from PSP and some of the menus/actions could have been optimized for PC, but it works just fine for the type of game it is.”
    • “The in-game controls are poorly optimized when walking around; movement is clunky and selecting between two nearby items is sometimes frustrating.”
  • stability17 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is generally solid, with many users reporting no major glitches and smooth performance across systems, particularly on PC. However, some players have encountered minor bugs, such as text box errors and occasional freezing, which can disrupt gameplay. While the game has received patches that have improved stability, a few persistent glitches remain, leading to mixed experiences among users.

    • “There are no glitches from what I've seen so far, and only a few typos (the name of the text box is wrong for the character talking, like Monokuma's talking but the text box says Chihiro).”
    • “Runs great on any system.”
    • “Great controls and no glitches overall.”
    • “It's a buggy unusable mess.”
    • “There are still a few glitches and bugs that persist to this day that quite annoy me.”
    • “If your computer freezes up during a death scene and you didn't save anytime during the trial, have fun redoing everything!!”
  • monetization6 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising the absence of ads and in-game purchases, while others criticize the misleading advertising of features and the intrusive nature of promotional content that disrupts gameplay. Overall, the monetization strategy appears to detract from the gaming experience for many users.

    • “Best gacha game, no microtransactions.”
    • “The monetization model is fair and doesn't pressure players to spend money.”
    • “I appreciate that the game offers plenty of free content without forcing purchases.”
    • “Negative review isn't for gameplay, but for breaking one of my most important rules, which is advertising a product with features or DLC, then not including them after the purchase is made.”
    • “Horrible microtransactions to play!”
    • “A very interesting concept let down by excessively poor writing, in-game cutscenes literally replaced with unironic advertisements for a loosely related cancelled side-project, completely unnecessary sequel bait placed right at the climax that immediately contradicts very important plot elements they had just set up in the previous chapter.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

85% average critic score

Buy Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

Play time

22hMedian play time
23hAverage play time
25hMain story
45hCompletionist
9-31hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 60 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Similar Games

Game News