It was going to be hard to follow Danganronpa. In spite of its deceptively simple ‘Killing Game’ premise, its large cast of quirky characters, and the often overwhelmingly macabre atmosphere, it’s no surprise that Spike Chunsoft’s visual novel franchise has been so successful. The temptation with a spiritual successor is to go bigger and bolder. That’s exactly what Too Kyo Games and Spike Chunsoft have done with Master Detective Archives: Rain Code. We think Rain Code is the spiritual successor to Danganronpa. It differs fundamentally from that game in the way you navigate and interact with the environment. But both requires you to solve gruesome murders with your keen detective skills.
During the game, you play Yuma Kokohead. He is an amnesiac who wakes up in a lost-and-found storeroom without remembering who he is. A group of gifted detectives who all possess a unique ability known as ‘Forensic Forte’ meets him on the train. Also, Yuma is bound to Shinigami, an amusingly mischievous ‘Death God’ spirit. The entire section on the train serves as Yuma’s tutorial, as he gets used to his newfound profession as a detective-in-training. You’ll get a sense of what to expect here if you’ve played Danganronpa, which introduces the first of many mysteries and shows you each of the main mechanics you’ll use throughout the story.
There are a number of key steps to solving the murder. You’ll have to search for clues at crime scenes and surrounding areas. The clues are then stored in your inventory as ‘Solution Keys’. You’ll need these keys as you narrow down the suspect list. When you have collected all the evidence, Shinigami will conjure the ‘Mystery Labyrinth’. It’s the physical manifestation of the mystery at hand. Key questions and statements will present themselves as traps, obstacles, and enemies here. You need your Solution Keys (along with your clever mind) to solve each challenge, progress through the labyrinth, and identify the culprit.
The Mystery Labyrinth is a visually appealing place, but we found these sections of the game frustrating and repetitive. As Yuma and Shinigami exchange thoughts and ideas, walking through the labyrinth is tedious because there are no twists or turns. As a result, the realm itself is merely surface dressing to provide some visual variety as you solve the mystery. In terms of actual gameplay, it can be a bit of a bore. Thankfully, enemies make the gameplay more engaging. Often, they appear as warped versions of characters found in the real world. Those who have rushed to conclusions or who believe Yuma is responsible.
In battle with the enemies, Yuma dodges and cuts through statements. As you use the Solution Keys, keep dodging statements until you are confident you can refute them. It is not difficult to figure out which Solution Key for each statement since you only have a few available. Typically, the other obstacles in the Mystery Labyrinth require you to solve multiple-choice questions. Minigames also appear periodically. One is similar to Pop-Up Pirate in that you throw swords at a barrel filled with a scantily-clad Shinigami to spell a word. The true star of the show, however, is the core cast. As in Danganronpa, each character has their own unique personality traits. You’ve got Shinigami herself, who delights in the macabre and pokes fun at Yuma’s apparent inexperience. Seth Burroughs, an antagonist so brooding that one of his henchmen has to hold a megaphone to his mouth, and many others.
Master Detective Archives: Rain Code is an excellent sequel to the Danganronpa franchise that shows a lot of ambition from its developers and generally lives up to the legacy of its predecessor. Despite the fact that the game features an outstanding cast of characters and some really intriguing mysteries to solve, there are also some problems with the game’s methods. It introduces mechanics and locations that are a little too repetitive and outlive their welcome. It’s definitely worth taking the time to check out for fans of Dangaronpa and those who enjoy a good gruesome crime or two.
