One of the most surprising titles to come out of the recent Nintendo Direct wasThe Hundred Line: Last Defense Academyfrom the creators of theDanganronpaseries. Although series creator Kazutaka Kodaka has been active on other projects since theDanganronpaseries' last game, including 2023’sMaster Detective Archives: Rain Code, many fans of the murder-mystery visual novel franchise have been eager for a new entry. WhileThe Hundred Line: Last Defense Academyisn’t a newDanganronpagame, it seems to be heavily inspired by the series, blending elements of it with a popular Nintendo franchise.
WhileLast Defense Academyfeatures the iconic art style and a similar premise toDanganronpa, its gameplay seems to be taking a page out ofFire Emblem’s book. Nintendo’s popular tactical RPG series has boomed in popularity in recent years, with titles likeFire Emblem: Three HousesandFire Emblem Engagebecoming acclaimed Switch releases. Now,Last Defense Academylooks to be building on both of these franchises, and this creative collaboration betweenKodaka andZero Escapeseries creator Kotaro Uchikoshicould be a fresh new experience for fans of both series.
The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy Blends Elements of Danganronpa and Fire Emblem
Last Defense Academy Features a Very Similar Premise to Danganronpa
For fans of theDanganronpaseries, the premise ofLast Defense Academymight sound familiar. The game follows protagonist Takumi Sumino, who makes a deal with a being known as Sirei and ends up trapped in a school with 14 other students who are forced to defend the school against the threat of monsters attacking the outside world for 100 days. While there doesn’t appear to be any murder of fellow students involved in this title, a mascot trapping 15 students in a school during an apocalypse is nearly identical toDanganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc’s plot.
However,Last Defense Academyis in the unique position to tell a story that goes in a completelydifferent direction than theDanganronpaseries, despite having a similar premise on the surface. Rather than pitting students against each other in a killing game, requiring them to work together for the sake of defending the school could lead to an entirely different dynamic between the cast. There is also a lot of lore the game could cover about the reason behind these monster attacks, and why these students in particular have been chosen to defend the school.
The Fire Emblem-Like Gameplay Should Help Last Defense Academy Stand Out
The tactics RPG gameplay ofLast Defense Academyshares some obvious similarities with theFire Emblemseries. Battles appear to be grid-based, with each of the students utilizing unique Specialist Skills to fend off monster attacks, and the game also promises free time in between battles where players will get to deepen their bonds with teammates in a mode that sounds very similar toFire Emblem’s Support system. AnotherFire Emblemmechanic that seems primed forLast Defense Academyis the series' permadeath system, as the trailer for the game tells players to expect the unavoidable loss of allies.
TheFire Emblemseries is also no stranger to the school setting, withFire Emblem: Three Housesnotably putting players in control of one ofthree houses at Garreg Mach Monastery’s Officers Academy. The balance between school life and combat scenarios made this title very popular amongFire Emblemfans, andLast Defense Academyseems like it could successfully replicate that same gameplay loop. With the game having a 2025 release window, there is still a lot of time to see howThe Hundred Line: Last Defense Academymelds elements of these two franchises into its own unique title.
Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair
WHERE TO PLAY
Jabberwock Island – once a popular tourist destination, this now uninhabited island remains oddly pristine. You and your classmates at the elite Hope’s Peak Academy have been brought to this island by your super-cute teacher for a “lovey-dovey, heart-throbbing school trip.” Everyone seems to be having fun in the sun…until Monokuma returns to restart his murderous game! Trapped on this island of mutual killing, your only hope of escape rests in solving the island’s mysteries. But be warned—sometimes the truth can be its own despair…Deadly Island Vibes:Murder is the only means of escape when you’re trapped on this island paradise. As your fellow classmates start dropping like coconuts, you’ll need to delve into each murderous incident, forage for clues, and interview your classmates to reveal the opportunity, motive, and means behind each killer case!Tribal Council:You’ll go head-to-head in all new minigames with the other students during the Class Trial, shooting down their false truths and using your evidence to uncover what really happened. But watch out! If a student is unconvinced, they’ll challenge you to a one-on-one Rebuttal Showdown and force you to defend your argument!Survival of the Keenest:Match up your evidence with your fellow classmates’ arguments and determine who’s really telling the truth. Once you’ve got a suspect in your sights, turn up that tropical heat in a variety of timing and reflex-based game systems to reveal the ultimate truth and escape with your life!
