2025 is looking splendid for the gaming world, with many exciting titles already released across different genres. Ranging from highly anticipated AAA games such as Monster Hunter Wilds, to hidden indie treasures like Blue Prince, and unexpected successes like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which sold over a million copies in just three days.
But one game might’ve slipped under your radar: The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy.
This freshly minted adventure in the genre of visual novels, crafted by Danganronpa’s Kazutaka Kodaka and Kotaro Uchikoshi of Zero Escape & AI: The Somnium Files fame, retains their signature style while pushing boundaries when it comes to gameplay mechanics.
What’s It All About?
In a twist that’s true to its creator, for 100 days, 14 high school students find themselves in an unexpected situation: they must protect the world from an alien threat. Unlike previous scenarios, this time there are no elaborate game shows or loquacious carnivorous bears.
This story is filled with colorful character types, some intentionally exaggerated for effect, others playing into familiar tropes that will make you chuckle. You’ll likely spot the trajectory of many characters from a distance. However, much like the work of Kodaka and Uchikoshi, there’s a deeper layer beneath the surface, with surprising turns to keep you hooked. Fans of Danganronpa are familiar with such character development.
A Visual Novel Meets Real-Time Strategy
Initially, The Hundred Line could appear daunting, particularly for those not already familiar with Kodaka and Uchikoshi’s prior work. It offers a distinctive blend of two significant aspects: a captivating narrative reminiscent of a visual novel and what fans refer to fondly as “the unique twist,” the gameplay feature that distinguishes each visual novel from others.
In this case, the concept combines the narrative style of traditional visual novels with fast-paced, real-time strategy gameplay. This deviates from Kodaka’s prior projects, which were characterized by ongoing discussions and murder mystery resolution. If you’re familiar with 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim by Vanillaware, the experience is similar in that around half of it involves a dialogue-driven story, while the other half offers grid-based combat. For a more mainstream comparison, the gameplay feels akin to Fire Emblem.
100 Endings. Seriously.
The Hundred Line could potentially break records for visual novel replay value, offering an astounding 100 distinct endings. It’s almost impossible to discover everything on just one playthrough, making repeat plays a necessity. This is where Kodaka and Uchikoshi’s creative abilities really shine, setting the game apart within its genre.
At the moment, it’s garnering high scores of 86 on OpenCritic and 85 on Metacritic. Most of the accolades are focused on its stellar cast, groundbreaking gameplay blend, and immense replay potential. It has also received a positive endorsement from Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s director, who was in turn lauded by Kodaka himself.
The “Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy” is currently accessible on PC and Nintendo Switch systems. As of now, we don’t have any information regarding its launch on PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X/S.
If you appreciate narratives similar to those found in series such as Ace Attorney and STEINS;GATE, or if you’re drawn to tales that blend elements of everyday life and strategy, then this could very well become your new favorite!
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2025-05-01 19:12