As a seasoned gamer with a penchant for intriguing narratives and strategic gameplay, I must say that my interest was piqued upon hearing about “The Hundred Line.” The similarities to the beloved “Danganronpa” series are evident, yet the unique twists and turns in this new title make it an enticing prospect.
Kazutaka Kodaka, the creator of Danganronpa, previously shared with his Twitter followers that he prioritizes making games that resonate with him and those who share similar sensibilities, rather than focusing on sales. The inclusion of a 20-minute anime-style cutscene in The Hundred Line -Last Defense Academy–, suggests that his approach to game design remains largely unchanged over the years. However, it’s important to note that this upcoming title is not lacking in innovative ideas.
40 video game journalists and influencers, hailing from different parts of the globe, congregated on the 48th floor of a hotel near Tokyo Game Show. Far removed from the crowd’s din, Kodaka addressed them about his new game. Initially, he seemed apprehensive, but as the discussion unfolded, his confidence swelled, likely fueled by his fervor for the project and the encouraging response from the listeners. He was excited to disclose details of his newest masterpiece, yet cautious not to reveal too much prematurely.
The Hundred Line Combines Story and Tactical RPG Elements
Initially unveiled during a Nintendo Direct session in June, “The Hundred Line -Last Defense Academy-” is a tactical RPG blended with adventure game features. The narrative revolves around Takumi Sumino, an ordinary teenager residing within the Tokyo Residential Complex – a domed city. One fateful day, monsters storm their sanctuary, and subsequently, a creature named SIREI emerges, granting Takumi the power to defend his loved ones. However, this newfound strength results in him losing consciousness. Upon regaining awareness, he finds himself enrolled at an enigmatic school alongside 14 unfamiliar students. This makeshift group of teenagers must band together for the subsequent 100 days to repel Invaders and ensure their survival.
On many of these days, players can roam around the main academy, where they can either train or engage with Takumi’s classmates. Although we don’t have time to cover them all today, Kodaka does mention a few standouts. One is Amemiya Darumi, a girl with emotional instability and an affinity for death games who has “crazy eyes.” Another is Takemaru Yakushiji, a motorcycle-riding “old-school delinquent” reminiscent of characters from the Danganronpa series. Fans of Kodaka’s previous work should feel comfortable here due to the similar character designs.
Regarding Kodaka’s past projects, approximately half of the voice actors in “The Hundred Line” are those he has collaborated with before. Notably, Megumi Ogata, known for her roles as Makoto Naegi and Nagito Komaeda in the “Danganronpa” series, is among them. In jest, Kodaka mentions they considered hiring Sylvester Stallone to voice SIREI, but instead opted for another talented actor who seems equally capable. The main characters in this game are all given voices and have numerous opportunities for interactions throughout the 100 days, encouraging players to frequently engage with them beyond battles.
The Hundred Line’s Battle System Has Several Unique Mechanics
In The Hundred Line, fights occur in turns and are set on a grid layout. Players aim to defend their tower from successive waves of Invaders, culminating in a boss battle. Each character has distinctive attacks and powers that mirror their individual traits. Some enemies move faster than others, so strategic thinking is key when deciding how to use Action Points (AP) and the sequence for defeating the invaders. Kodaka mentions that any leftover AP can be saved for the next round, meaning there could be instances where it’s wiser to end a turn prematurely instead of persisting in a futile struggle.
As they execute more moves, players accumulate a unique gauge called the Voltage Meter. When fully charged, this meter enables them to unleash a powerful attack that concludes their current turn. Additionally, players can employ the “decisive death” tactic by sacrificing characters with low health, although it’s important to note that there are no revival options during battles. So, players must strategically decide when and if to use this ability, as prematurely sacrificing a character could leave them short-staffed in the future, whereas waiting too long might result in an unnecessary death.
Despite having restricted healing options, Takumi possesses the power to rewind time, enabling players to repeat certain parts of a fight knowing what lies ahead. Kodaka refers to this as an ‘easy mode’, but mastering the complex battle system in The Hundred Line will still demand strategic thinking, especially during commander battles, due to the numerous mechanics and unique combat behaviors among the game’s characters.
The Hundred Line Should Appeal to Danganronpa Fans
It’s evident that the game’s battle system has received a great deal of attention during its design process. However, Kodaka considers the story in The Hundred Line as its primary attraction. He shared that the game places significant importance on player choice, with incorrect decisions – whether they occur during or outside of battles – potentially resulting in certain characters losing their lives permanently. Although he didn’t provide more details, he described the title as being “remarkably distinct” from other games with multiple endings, offering a total of 100 “extremely despair-inducing conclusions.” Players won’t have to experience all these endings to follow the storyline, but those interested in additional background information will find it abundant within the game.
Given all the points discussed, it’s reasonable to conclude that “The Hundred Line” and the “Danganronpa” series share several commonalities, with the most apparent one being that they both revolve around school-based narratives. Kodaka justifies this choice by stating his preference for teenage protagonists, finding them more intriguing and easier to depict as they evolve throughout the story. It’s worth noting that he appears unfazed by the similarities drawn with “Danganronpa,” a series that achieved significant success in 2010, which may not be surprising considering its popularity.
It seems like Kodaka’s games sales don’t seem to matter much to him, but The Hundred Line appears to hold significant importance. In a conversation with Famitsu, he confessed that his company borrowed a substantial amount of money to develop the game. After securing a publishing deal with Aniplex, it becomes evident that Kodaka and his team were prepared to go great lengths for its funding, which underscores their strong faith in the project. Given this endeavor, their optimism appears to be well-founded.
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2024-10-02 12:33