Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair Reviews

This game is peak fiction. It´s similar yet very different than it´s predecesor, it took all the good things, and enchanced them. The trials are really good and more unpredictable than the ones of it´s predecesor, the executions are also cool (with some exceptions), and the characters and their relationships/interactions are amazing and the best part of the game imo, they are my favorite cast of the thrilogy. (this further reinforced by the Danganronpa 3 show) So yeah, in conclusion, it´s an amazing game and overall it´s my favorite out of the three.

2nd Danganronpa is my favorite. You gotta play the Trigger Happy Havoc first because it lays the foundation for this absolute peak of a game- also for spoiler and difficulty reasons. I pity everyone who hasn't played/ watched someone play this game as it is literally the most divine, beautiful piece of fiction I've ever come across. Yet i'm also jealous as you get the choice to play this for the first time. Just trust me, let me put you on. 10/10 characters 10/10 music 10/10 atmosphere 10/10 game play 10/10 trials

This is, undoubtably, my favourite sequel of all time. Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair is the successor to the wildly acclaimed Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc. Released two years after the original, DR2 takes the core premise—15 students trapped in an isolated location who must commit murder and get away with it to escape—and elevates it in nearly every way. From a bold new setting to a fresh, eccentric cast of high-school students, and even more layered murder cases, this sequel builds on everything that made the original great without ever feeling bloated or overly complicated. And in that, it absolutely succeeds. To begin with the characters: much like the first game, every student is incredibly likeable—or detestable—for all the right reasons. In fact, one could argue the cast is even more vibrant than before. Most of the characters are highly memorable, with distinct personalities that make them unforgettable—even the ones you love to hate. Their banter retains that classic Danganronpa flavor: sometimes genuinely hilarious, other times painfully cringeworthy. But that’s part of the charm. The erratic social awkwardness of the cast makes them feel like real high-schoolers, and if you let yourself relax into the absurdity, you’ll enjoy every moment. As in the original, witnessing classmates die is always gut-wrenching—but Danganronpa 2 adds an extra layer of tragedy. Often, the murderers are victims in their own right—not just due to traumatic backstories, but because their motivations are deeply morally complex. Without giving away major spoilers, the killers aren’t simply evil. In many cases, their actions stem from desperate, emotionally-charged circumstances that defy black-and-white judgment. Malice rarely plays a role; instead, motives drive the story and your sympathy. Spoilers ahead for this paragraph: In several cases, the killers commit murder out of care for someone else or as a response to cruel circumstances. Case 1's killer faced the impossible choice of helping the group or helping a sick parent. Case 2 revolved around psychological conditioning and a protective instinct. Case 3 involved a bizarre disease and a chilling realization. Case 4 felt almost consensual and delivered a powerful message, while Case 5 was the only one driven by outright malice. Out of five murders, only one was truly evil—a striking contrast that deepens the narrative. When it comes to gameplay, Danganronpa 2 firmly proves that “visual novel” is just its format; not its limitation. Everything that worked in the first game is improved here. Investigations feel familiar, but the “Free Time” segments now offer greater character depth and stronger emotional investment. Collecting presents feels more meaningful thanks to character reactions and even a Tamagotchi-like pet system, which, while simple, adds an extra layer of engagement. The Class Trials are where the real gameplay evolution shines, as new features like the ability to agree with another’s statement, engage in one-on-one debates, and be interrupted mid-argument make trials more dynamic and unpredictable. This shift from player-dominant logic battles to a group-wide mental war enhances the tension and keeps you guessing. The villains, too, are exactly what they need to be: manipulative, layered, and maddening. The tug-of-war between different threats and shifting perspectives makes the game’s tension constantly evolve. Monokuma’s cryptic twists keep you doubting your assumptions, and just when you think you’ve figured things out—BAM—a familiar face resurfaces, and everything changes. One character, not even the main villain, left such a strong impression that I found myself irrationally angry at a static image—testament to how well they’re written. Despair never truly loses, because losing only breeds more of it. But when hope becomes so cunning that even despair begins to suffer, you realize just how formidable a weapon it can be. The overarching plot is gripping, but what truly elevates it are the individual cases. It’s not just about who did it, but how and why. Each murder is brilliantly constructed, with creative setups and twists that will constantly keep you second-guessing yourself. The most rewarding part isn’t being right, but being wrong—because the real solution is always cleverer than you imagined. Personally, I wasn't a fan of the major twist at the end when I first encountered it, as it involves a certain implication which felt like it risked undermining the story’s emotional weight—but the execution thankfully proved otherwise. As the story unfolded and the idea was explored more thoughtfully, I grew to appreciate the twist. To close, Danganronpa 2 leaves you with a powerful message. Where the first game explored themes like acceptance, this one centres on the ability to create your own future. The finale delivers this idea with just... downright badassery, no way else of saying it—drop the formalities. The impact of that message will linger for a long time for sure, and I absolutely loved it. Final score: Hello? Take a guess you dolt/10

I feel as though out of all three installments, 2 is the most solid of the three. The first Danganronpa was a really tough sell for me and the only reason I'd recommend it is because of its iconic status and importance to the "death game" genre, as well as having a pretty sick ending and some really good scenes. v3 is pretty dogshit for a large majority of it up until the ending and it's also 40 fucking dollars for a game that hasn't fixed the issues it has running on a computer. In comparison, 2 feels like a beacon of light. It's my favorite kind of sequel, the kind that greatly expands on the first in a way that feels loving. Pretty much almost every decision made for this game feels like an abject improvement from the first. I could understand someone missing the more claustrophobic vibe of the first game, but something about the vastness of the setting in 2 is equally unsettling to me. It makes things feel more isolating. There are still problems. It wouldn't be a Danganronpa game without some absolutely baffling decisions. Chapters 3/4 are pretty rough (Chapter 4 is definitely better than 3 but I still consider it a bit subpar). But compared to the issues in 1 and v3, I seriously think this game is the best throughout its runtime. Also, Chapter 2 is genuinely the best trial in the entire series. The final investigation is also hella fun. I can't stress enough how much this improved on the first. Danganronpa is the most video game of all time.

This game is old now, but it's definitely lots of fun to play! It depends on whether or not you like murder mystery though.

one of the first games i bought for myself (around 2020 i'd bet) and just recently got to perfect it. still, loved it and it's a really good sequel to the previous game. the soundtracks scratch my brain in a very good way and i've come to love most of the characters in the game - gundham and ibuki are both the loml i'm covinced

Story is very nice and good. But the mini game is boring and waste time

fantastic holiday experience game, so relaxing and everyone has a grand time. The service was excellent and the hotel even had two cute mascot bears.

This game is very enjoyable and I recommend as I loved the characters and plot twists in this game.

I'm glad someone finally made a game about my first trip to camp, only for some reason the counselor Kevin was replaced with a bear