So I just beat this game the other day and I have the thoughts.
I will say that before I get into my review, I had actually learned of this game a good while ago. I just hadn't played it until recently since I didn't have money at the time, I actually discovered it on the switch and just played through it on my Xbox.
Now then. On to the review.
My 1st impression of this game was an expectation that it would be something similar to Danganronpa, with an obvious quirk to make it distinctly different from DR, and well, it didn't disappoint.
The Story;
This has to be one of the most bizarre stories in a game that I have played yet. With a game titled Master Detective, it does not disappoint with the mysteries it presents. Though these mysteries only ever occur outside of the main objective of solving all of Kanai Wards unsolved mysteries it does in a weird way tie it all back to that by making Kanai Wards Ultimate Secret the true final objective.
The Characters;
Yuma Kokohead: As a protagonist, he serves his role well. The door is open almost immediately with him waking up in a random lost and found room with no memories what so ever. As the game goes on, he does gain confidence in his abilities and makes some bold choices. Only for it to kind of circle back to square one every single time he faces the slightest bit of push back from the Peace Keepers. His relationships with the supporting cast do actually get rather wholesome as he does form genuine friendships with these people he's grown to care about.
Shinigami: A deuteragonist, I didn't expect much out of a character that, for all intents and purposes, is effectively the mascot of the game. This game is Monokuma, so to speak. She even refrences the old bear once. For also being a character that bares a striking resemblance to Junko Enoshima, I was kind of expecting her to be more of an antagonist. But she was surprisingly supportive when she's not actively shitting on everyone around her. For a death god, she's oddly compassionate to Yuma, I had expected her to actually be indifferent to everything around her and more or less be a thorn in his side. To which she is. She does not waste an opportunity to dunk on anyone she can. Even if only Yuma can see or hear her.
Ch. 0 Murder on the Ameterasu Express: (fun play on Murder on the Orient Express)
For a prologue, it serves itself really well to establish what we can expect from this game. Yuma and Shinigami get their debuts here, and both immediately begin to spark a good cop bad cop type of relationship that will grow as the game goes on. With Yuma even at times serving as the straight man to Shinigami's antics.
The characters introduced in this chapter are Aphex Lo****gan, Pucci Lavmin, Zilch Alaxander, Melami Goldmine, and Zange Eraser.
I'm gonna box them all together. Since they serve their purpose of setting up what Master Detectives actually are. With that said. The concept of Master Detectives effectively coming from MHA with their own little quirks or as this game calls it "Forte's", is actuslly really interesting and Aphex, Pucci, and Zange, all serve their purpose in showing you how these work when in use. Melami doesn't because of how specific hers is in requiring to wear a corpses clothes to activate hers.
Zilch Alaxander stands out here as our 1st villain in the game. Being the one who actually murders everyone on the Ameterasu Express and intends to have Yuma framed. We later learn this was a ploy by Ameterasu to try and prevent any and all Master Detectives from making it to Ameterasu.
THE GAMEPLAY:
Since it's really introduced here, I’ll cover it here. Yuma controls rather well. I didn't expect the game to be a semi open world 3D game, having gotten used to the visual novel style that Chunsoft had produced prior.
The Mystery Labrynth itself is actually a really neat concept and is shown off rather well imo, as a manifestation of the mystery itself.
As a critique, I expected it to be, well, an actual labrynth compared to you just walking in a straight line solving the occasional question or dealing with the occasional "boss foght"
The combat itself isn't terrible no different from the trials in Damgaronpa with you having to strike down contradictory statements. If I had to say anything, it would have to be that i feel the other Master Detectives should be able to help you more than just giving you a shield.
Yuma also moves way to slowly. Making the long walking segments rather redundant and unnecessarily long. A sprint would be very much appreciated.
I mentioned them earlier but now it's time to really get into the other
Master Detectives:
The 1st we get the pleasure to meet is Yakou Furio. The Chief of rhe Nocturnal Detective Agency.
He's a fun character, and reasonably cautious when it comes to Yuma and the Detectives under his control. Serving as like a parental figure to his batch of 6 gifted and out of control children. Outside of Yuma that gives us Halara Nightmare, Desuhiko Thunderbolt, Fubuki Clockford, and Viva Twilight. Each one having their own power thay helps Yuma with his investigations and in a way serve as their own force in the Mystery Labrynth even if they don't do anything but help push Yuma to solve the case.
Halara Nightmare for lack of a better terms serves as a more blunt and direct Kyoko Kirigiri in this game. Being no nonsense does help her stand out compared to the other colorful cast members. Her Forte of being able to review a crime scene from the perspective of a 3rd party comes in clutch for the Nail Man Case. Since Yuma has no means of doing it alone.
This is where we also learn of an ability Yuma has. That's initially perceived as an ability granted to him by Shinigami. Only we later learn. It's Yuma Kokohead's very own Forte. But we'll get there when we get there.
Desuhiko Thunderbolt is quite the ball of energy himself. Being this games rather perverted character. His Forte of being able to disguise himself as anyone he's seen. No matter how they look compared to him, is actually an amazing ability that proves to be even more helpful as the game reaches its conclusion in Chapter 4. Prior to him we actually get to meet another rather important character Kurumi Wendy
Kurumi Wendy for being another character without a Forte similarly to Yakou, it would seem like she has nothing to offer. But she proves her worth to Yuma's investigating as being Kanai Wards only informant. And a damn good one at that. Her not so subtle crush on Yuma does lend itself to some funny moments like when she finds it curious when he's holding Fubuki's hand, or Shinigami being jealous when he returns her kindness. Speaking of
Fubuki Clockford is a peice of work herself. Being a sheltered airhead. Though it is funny that she takes offense to being called sheltered and not a skank by Shinigami. Her bright and bubbly personality does some heavy lifting to her becoming a pretty liked character in my book on top of her having the most convenient ability of being able to rewind time. Which helps when in a pinch as it serves more as a QTE save than anything really. But she does find times to try it in the story.
That leaves Vivia Twilight. He was easily the most mysterious of them all. As he always keeps to himself and chooses to reside in the oddest of places. His demeanor as well makes him stand out as the groups pessimist, who has seen some shit. It actually helps Yuma and in a way himself to finding a reason to keep pushing for the truth. As Vivia actually learned that their beloved Chief Yakou actually killed someone they were trying to save. His bleak outlook makes him almost a perfect foil to Yuma's determination as he kept pushing and pushing Yuma to steer clear of the truth so he wouldn't get hurt by it. But Yakou's last words being heard changed his perspective even if only a little bit to make him reshape his whole world view and accept the brutal nature of uncovering the truth.
All of them serve as pivotal characters that help Yuma develop into a master detective in his own right. Though Halara, Vivia, and in the end even Yakou help him grow as a Detective when pursuing the truth.
As for the villains. Most of them aren't anything to write home about. They serve their purpose in their respective chapters and literally disappear for the rest of the game after being introduced. Well all but 1. Techincally 2. But I'm going to hone in one the one.
Yomi Hellsmile where to begin with this guy. Being THE leader of the peacekeepers naturally he enforces all the rules they follow. But to the extreme. For failing he condems his right hand Martina Electro to be executed. Via being compressed to a small cube. Though she is spared this fate and actually returns in the end. Yomi himself is interesting as basically the villain of the game. At least the one you see the most of the game. He hilights the corruption in Kanai Ward as a whole. Doing whatever he wants, to whoever he is able. It's even revealed that he is the one to manipulate Yakou into killing the scientist Dr. Huesca, as Huesca was responsible for the death of Yakou's wife. Speaking of
Dr. Huesca himself serves as an integral character introduced only to be killed almost immediately. But as the game goes on. We learn just how important he is to Kanai Wards Ultimate Seceret, and what role he played in it.
Which leaves us with
Makoto Kagutsichi from the moment he was introduced it was clear he was hiding something. His mask didn't help in that fact especially since he gives off 2 separate reasons as to why he wears it. Both contradicting eachother. Though serving as a helpful force we learn that he is infact THE MASTERMIND behind everything and not only that. But is also the perfect replica of Yuma himself.
Over all I found the game rather interesting. Though not perfect it was an interesting experince and I did enjoy the game. Though the flaws it has are rather minor in my opinion and are really just nitpicks. Though I'm not really a fan of how hand wavey the epilogue is of the events. Especially, with how they handle the big plottwist with everyone just accepting it and moving on.
Overall I rate the game a solid 6.5 -- 7/10. It wasn't a bad game, while it has its flaws to which could be more seen as nitpicks, I did enjoy myself and look forward to see if this new ip would continue in a new direction.