Thoughts on The Hundred Line Last Defense Academy (Full Game Spoilers Ahead)
100 Endings, 260 Hours, 20000 Screenshots, Countless Tears.
It is my pleasure to tell you that the Danganronpa and Zero Escape guys have done it again. This game's existence baffles me, I am very endeared to its powerful visuals and character work, its commentary on the perspectives of war, survival, and destiny. Having so many scenario writers leads to a lot of different insights into this one setting.
When I wrote my initial impressions of the game when I was 35 hours in, I'd not seen all of the game, I have done so now, I've seen its guts and everything it has to offer, I've sat through so many boring segments, mindlessly easy gameplay, the occasional odd pacing, some of the dud filler endings, and I can still confidently say that my opinion on this game has not changed, despite its flaws its still a work that inspires great awe.
Grew to love every single main character, a feat of its own in a work by these creators, by the end I loved them, cared for them and wanted them all to have their happy ending within this setting.
Circling back to happy endings. The central question posed at the start of this review is at the heart of the one hundred endings that the game presents to you, as you go along the length of the story it becomes clear that you're not supposed to do all of them, you're merely supposed to find the one that satisfies you personally.
And I did! I found so many "candidates" for the happy ending, all of them having at least one thing amiss, just so you're robbed of the satisfaction of a "perfect ending." That does not exist in this world, the question the game presents to you is in full effect. What do YOU think a happy ending is?
Beating this game took 2 weeks of my life, didn't regret a single second. I thoroughly enjoyed it, I don't know if I'll ever get to play something like this ever again. Worst part is that I already miss it, the melody of Clair de Lune, the fireworks, and the scent of lavender.
While ideal for the average player, its kind of torture for completionists, and then I realized, of course it is, since when is a timeloop ideal for the one who suffers through them countless times? So, pick and choose player.
Decide your destiny, it's your future.
snowghoul
blakekathryn
tangentwithtanner
theartofmadeline
titsay
germansingergirl
