August 2019 Playthrough - Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair

[GrayGhost81]

I also feel that basically everything that happens between chapter 1 and chapter 5 doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things. Honestly, I believe that anyone could get a general idea of the story and conclusion of the game by only playing the prologue, watching chapter 0, and completing chapter 6. Meaning that everything that occurs in Chapter 1 - 5 is really just filler that will tease some plot points that don't get revealed until the end of the game and to build relationships between the characters and the player.

Thanks for sharing this. Being that I am only just starting chapter 3, this is disheartening and relieving at the same time. I am playing every day and talking to Rich about our recording schedule today, it looks like I have at least two weeks to push through and finish the game. The sentiment that only the beginning and end of the game are of any consequence is understandable, and makes me feel less guilty about scrubbing through tons of dialogue with the circle button. 

[Crabmaster2000]

I also feel that basically everything that happens between chapter 1 and chapter 5 doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things. Honestly, I believe that anyone could get a general idea of the story and conclusion of the game by only playing the prologue, watching chapter 0, and completing chapter 6. Meaning that everything that occurs in Chapter 1 - 5 is really just filler that will tease some plot points that don't get revealed until the end of the game and to build relationships between the characters and the player.

Thanks for sharing this. Being that I am only just starting chapter 3, this is disheartening and relieving at the same time. I am playing every day and talking to Rich about our recording schedule today, it looks like I have at least two weeks to push through and finish the game. The sentiment that only the beginning and end of the game are of any consequence is understandable, and makes me feel less guilty about scrubbing through tons of dialogue with the circle button.  

I only kind of agree with this. The ending wouldn't be nearly as impactful without all the loss, bonding and trials along the way. It's a huge part of how the remaining characters are able to make important decisions that affect the conclusion. But in the same vein you could probably cut out 2 chapters in the middle and still have a similar impact there.

[Mr_Stubbes]

I only kind of agree with this. The ending wouldn't be nearly as impactful without all the loss, bonding and trials along the way. It's a huge part of how the remaining characters are able to make important decisions that affect the conclusion. But in the same vein you could probably cut out 2 chapters in the middle and still have a similar impact there.

I can definitely agree with you on this point Crabby. The ending would feel hollow without all of the the events that fall in between the beginning and the ending. The moments of loss and bonding between the character and player add a lot of emotion to the trials and the ending of the game to really drive the story home. However, I really think that this all depends on the attitude of the player. If someone is invested in the game they aren't going to fly through the dialogue sequences and story elements, because they want to get the most fulfilling ending. For those who aren't as invested and just want to get through the game, the stuff in the middle doesn't matter as much as long as they can get to the ending where the story is explained.

[Crabmaster2000]

I only kind of agree with this. The ending wouldn't be nearly as impactful without all the loss, bonding and trials along the way. It's a huge part of how the remaining characters are able to make important decisions that affect the conclusion. But in the same vein you could probably cut out 2 chapters in the middle and still have a similar impact there.

I can definitely agree with you on this point Crabby. The ending would feel hollow without all of the the events that fall in between the beginning and the ending. The moments of loss and bonding between the character and player add a lot of emotion to the trials and the ending of the game to really drive the story home. However, I really think that this all depends on the attitude of the player. If someone is invested in the game they aren't going to fly through the dialogue sequences and story elements, because they want to get the most fulfilling ending. For those who aren't as invested and just want to get through the game, the stuff in the middle doesn't matter as much as long as they can get to the ending where the story is explained.

Well said

[singlebanana]

Just finished Chapter 4 last night. Was out of town for a soccer tournament this weekend and managed to grind it out while my wife drove and a little at night.  As usual, I thought that the murder scenario was well done, but I still feel like the game is way too padded to increase the length.  Though the timeline is easier to put together than it was in D:THH, it's kind of annoying and useless. Plus, if you fail, I assume that you get the end game like you did in the original. After you finish it, someone explains the entire murder scenario again, and then there's the voting (which you don't even really participate in) that is super drawn out.  I just feel as though these games could be streamlined; instead of all the fluff, add more murder scenarios to make it longer.  

Overall, I am still enjoying this game, but I am feeling the fatigue sitting in and just want it done.  I think a big part of my issue is the same that others of you are having. Even though I played the first game a year ago, I still feel like it was too soon to jump into another one of these games.  For anyone playing the series, I'd probably recommend stretching them out over a two year time. I know that sounds kind of ridiculous, but it's the only way I can see to keep it enjoyable with all the looping dialogue and fluff.

[Crabmaster2000]

Ran through the Island mode twice in the last few days. It says it's possible to beat it on the first attempt, but I wasn't even close on my first try. I didn't realize the entire main game that you could spend the Hope Fragments to unlock abilities to help you out in the trials!! Some of these would have been awesome.

[singlebanana]

Oh yeah, those abilities are pretty great Crabby, especially the sword sharpening ones and the ones that slow the text down.

Well, I finally hit the third checkpoint last night and finished Chapter 5.  I thought that the Chapter 4 puzzle (The Funhouse) was pretty well done, but again, there was still a lot of fluff and I felt that this might have been the longest Chapter so far. Chapter 5 was a little more compact, but on the whole, uninteresting....even with the "big" revelation of the traitor.  I kind of got an idea in Chapter 5 of where the story might be headed, but I could be completely wrong. To avoid any possible spoilers, I will tag my thoughts below:

Spoiler (hover to show)

After coming across the factory that makes the Monokuma plushies, I get the feeling that they are merchandise for some sort of popular show. My guess is that the participants are a part of some sort of reality show where they are being filmed all the time and broadcast to the rest of the world.  I think that they were captured as a result of their uprising and put on this island with their memories wiped to kill each other for the powers-that-be's enjoyment, and to also teach a lesson to those who defy this authority. This theory brings to mind other futuristic, post-apoctolyptic works such as  Battle Royale/The Hunger Games and Running Man. Though Chiaki is deemed the "traitor," I think that she was more of an infultrator who entered the game to help them out. I dunno, I could be way off on these inferences, but it's fun to play along and take some stabs at what may be revealed.

Anyway, I'm going to try and finish up in the next few days. Will be glad to have this one wrapped up.

[singlebanana]

Question of the Month (Answer before Saturday for street cred):

In the Danganronpa series, the mascot is Monokuma, a homicidal teddy bear. Are there any mascots that terrified you as a child, or are even unsettling to you today?

[Mr_Stubbes]

This is more of a current issue, but the current rendition of the Burger King King bothers me a lot. The idea of a mute, dead eyed, big plastic headed king following and watching people eat really bothers me haha.