Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair - Anniversary Edition

Even sicker and more delightfully disturbing than the marvellous original, Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair doesn't match its predecessor in some ways but makes up for its shortcomings in others. Once again we'd argue that the journey is better than the destination - we thought the first game's ending was nearly incomprehensible rubbish and this one is even worse. But it's absolutely a journey well worth taking, as the brilliant cast and smart murder mystery gameplay once again sucked us in and didn't let go. An aesthetic and narrative treat, Danganronpa 2 is an easy recommendation and we're delighted it's finally made the leap to Switch.

Though this latest port doesn’t add much in the way of new features, Danganronpa 2 remains a must-play visual novel and a superb follow-up to the original.

Overall, I found Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair quite entertaining too. Once again, I enjoyed gathering evidence and drawing conclusions, even if they weren’t always correct.

The time I spent on Jabberwock Island was well worth it, even when it killed off a character I had begun to like hanging out with. It may be dated in a lot of ways, but it also still holds up surprisingly well in a lot of other aspects. If you like a good set of murder mysteries featuring a consistent cast of characters, Danganronpa is one of the best places to get that experience, and this sequel is no different in that regard.

The story of Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair alone captivates the player and is extremely satisfying, but when viewed alongside the first, it demonstrates a cohesive and engaging work from beginning to end. With a delightful pace, some of the most creative storylines in the franchise, an interesting and clever expansion, and many fun minigames, Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair can easily be considered the best in the franchise. Not to mention its captivating cast of characters and the art direction that seamlessly transitions from the first game's school to this game's island, giving this adventure its own identity and a sense of cohesion to the franchise.