Joeysmartass

Why SDR2 is the best Danganronpa Game

If you’re a Danganronpa fan you probably have personal favorites whether it be characters, class trails or the topic of this essay favorite games. Despite all of the games having the same formula they still have a distinct identity from each other which is commendable but alas that’s not what we will discuss. In this essay I will explain why Danganronpa 2:Goodbye Despair is the best Danganronpa game.

Let me discuss the setting of the game Jabberwock Island. Immediately the tropical island serves as a stark contrast to the two schools of the trilogy. This isn’t just for show either while the schools are claustrophobic Jabberwock Island feels like an open space which makes the world more fun to move around in. Speaking of contrast in Danganronpa 2 each island does a good job of feeling distinct from one and another. When you get more floors to the school in the other game you do find interesting things. I especially like V3’s Talent Development Labs compared to the islands of SDR2 it’s no contest. The other games take place in a school and thus are limited to things that would logically be in a school were as you’re allowed much more freedom with the islands. From the bright and colorful amusement park of island four to the futuristic setting of island five there is no doubt that SDR2 has the most creative and diverse setting of any of the Danganronpa games.

Another thing that SDR2 executes well is feeling like a true expansion of the themes of DR1.Unlike V3 SDR2 plot is directly affected by the plot of DR1 without feeling like a rehash which can be difficult to pull off. I think the virtual world is an interesting concept that is executed quite well. Let’s use Chiaki as an example: the twist of her being an AI is foreshadowed with her direct similarities with Chihiro and Alter Ego. While not being overly obvious if you take a look at their designs they do share a lot in common. There designs both include a white button up shirt,similar bowties, an overcoat, a skirt with black stockings, along with similar shoes and haircuts. Once you spell it all out the design parallels become pretty obvious but they also share similar personality traits Chihiro they both share a love of gaming even though Chihiro isn’t as explicit about it. They also have a very sweet and well meaning personality along with a certain degree of intelligence which in Chiaki’s case is very analytical in nature which reflects her nature as an AI. There’s also some information in her free time events that foreshadows her nature as an AI which furthers her alter ego parallels. During one of her free time events she didn’t know that cows made milk which is basic human information and in a later free time event the only genre of games she’s bad at is dating sims which directly involves human connection as it’s primary gameplay mechanic.

That’s enough about Chiaki for now let’s discuss another character that uses parallels to another character that uses character parallels to great effect Nagito Komeda. The Makoto parallels are pretty obvious but let's still go over them starting with his design and also the fact that Nagito Komeada is an anagram of Makoto Naegi. Both characters wear a hoodie,have a similar haircut including the patented anime protagonist ahoge and his generally unremarkable design makes the Makoto comparisons clear. Were the parallel really shine however is in personality. During the early game the Makoto parallels are effective are used to create a false sense of security. During the early game he spends a lot of time helping you out and general doesn't come off as a bad person even if he does come across as a bit odd. This makes him an effective wolf in sheep's clothing. Even after revealing his true nature the Makoto parallels only grow stronger. Let’s take a look at both of their talents and how they operate in the narrative. Despite having the same title of The Ultimate Lucky Student there talents operate very differently. Makoto’s luck while powerful in it’s own way primary is used to keep him alive with conscience that make sense due to his talent. On the flip side Komeada’s luck is truly supernatural and he relise on it for his plans to work like when he used the random raffle to get himself on cleaning duty. Even though his luck is powerful it does come at a price. During his free time events he is revealed to have a cycle of luck where bad luck is preceded by good luck and vice versa As an example Komeda has said that he was kidnapped and then immediately found a lottery ticket that was worth ten million dollars Komeda’s luck serves as a powerful force of nature that is even beyond his control which is a real interesting subversion of Makoto’s luck. Another parallel is Makoto’s humility versus Komeada’s self deprecation. They both stem from the fact that they don’t see themselves as having worthwhile talents. Makoto sees himself as mundane compared to the exceptional people at Hope’s Peak Academy but he learns to overcome that insecurity and recognize his own value. Komeada on the hand sees himself as inherently worthless because of his lackluster talent and is willing to sacrifice his own life for the sake of the other ultimates Despite him seeing himself as worthless that couldn’t be further from the truth in fact he’s one of the most intelligent characters in the series but he refuses to acknowledge himself because of the way he see himself as worthless. Another thing the two characters have in common is the desire for hope but there methods are very different. Komeada like the founders of Hope's Peak sees ultimates as the embodiments of hope and he wishes to sacrifice himself for them and is willing to become the adversity they overcome and is willing to kill just so that he can become an obstacle that hope overthrows. Makoto is comparatively simpler in this regard and only becomes a symbol of hope because of his undying optimism and becomes known as the Ultimate Hope because of the adversity he faced and his ability to inspire Komeda also tried to become the Ultimate Hope by killing all remnants of despair including himself. This is a somewhat sound motivation however it ignores to hope of recovery and the ability to create their future. Speaking of hope for the future, let's talk about SDR2’s ending because it does a good job of thematically tying into Trigger Happy Havoc. It’s revealed that the world is a virtual world created by a The Future Foundation which was created by the survivors of DR1. The purpose of this world was to reform the sixteen students from the game which were revealed to be remnants of despair. This explains the nature of Monomi and the seeming peaceful beginning of the game however this turns into a killing game because of AI Junko. Let’s address the most common complaint about this finale which is that Junko was overused and this game should have had a new mastermind which is a fair complaint however if you consider the fact that SDR2 was created as a direct continuation of DR1 it works thematically for Junko to be the mastermind and it was a satisfying conclusion to finally kill Junko excluding the anime because the anime doesn't deserve rights. The Future Foundation also helps continue the story of DR1 due to the fact that we get to see these characters again in a way that furthers the plot. The new finales use’s characters from the previous game however it adds a different theme that feels natural with the theme of being able to change the future regardless of the past. This isn’t something that the survivors of the first game had to deal with because of the SDR2 survivors' unique situation of being remnants of despair. This while different is still a fundamentally optimistic theme so it feels thematically consistent with the themes of hope and despair from the first game

As I hope I’ve made clear that due to the thematic parallels of DR1,SDR2 is a true sequel that expands on the thematic elements of the first and becomes something greater than its predecessors.

Joeysmartass

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Why SDR2 is the best Danganronpa Game