Please Don't Play Dangan Ronpa
The driving thought behind this list is "if you liked Ace Attorney - what should you try next?" Dangan Ronpa isn't the answer. You don't have to make the same mistakes I made. You're young and still have so much to live for.
These come with some notes on why I think you might like them, and on how to play them. Some of these games are part of series - in that case, only the first of the series is listed, and the other titles are in the notes, along with play order. I haven't played/finished all of these myself (yet).
These come with some notes on why I think you might like them, and on how to play them. Some of these games are part of series - in that case, only the first of the series is listed, and the other titles are in the notes, along with play order. I haven't played/finished all of these myself (yet).
14 Games
DS game, puzzle/VN. By Shu Takumi (the director of Ace Attorney).
Revert disaster by turning back time and solving puzzles (using your "ghost tricks" to manipulate your surroundings), and solve the mysteries surrounding the night of your own death.
This game has much of the same humor as Ace Attorney, fun puzzles, and a well-crafted, satisfying story. It's very well-loved by its fans, who in turn never talk about it, because they don't want to spoil new players, and it's all just plot twists. Be careful if you look up anything about the game at all! If you get stuck, you should look for a spoiler-free walk-through.
Revert disaster by turning back time and solving puzzles (using your "ghost tricks" to manipulate your surroundings), and solve the mysteries surrounding the night of your own death.
This game has much of the same humor as Ace Attorney, fun puzzles, and a well-crafted, satisfying story. It's very well-loved by its fans, who in turn never talk about it, because they don't want to spoil new players, and it's all just plot twists. Be careful if you look up anything about the game at all! If you get stuck, you should look for a spoiler-free walk-through.
DS/PS4/Steam/XBO, room escape/puzzle/VN. Zero Escape series (999 -> Virtues Last Reward -> Zero Time Dilemma).
You, and nine other people, are trapped on a replica of the titanic that is rapidly being submerged by water. Solve puzzles to progress, try not to die in gruesome ways, and seek your way out. Has multiple endings, with one true ending. Very well-written, and one of my favorite games.
999 can be played on its own if you want to stop there, but VLR and ZTD should be played in order, and as part of the full trilogy. 999 is slightly better enjoyed on the DS - it adds a bit to the storytelling, and the final puzzle makes more sense, but for the other titles the platform doesn't really matter. Some people will tell you to buy the Steam version and then just emulate 999's DS version, but the differences aren't that drastic.
You, and nine other people, are trapped on a replica of the titanic that is rapidly being submerged by water. Solve puzzles to progress, try not to die in gruesome ways, and seek your way out. Has multiple endings, with one true ending. Very well-written, and one of my favorite games.
999 can be played on its own if you want to stop there, but VLR and ZTD should be played in order, and as part of the full trilogy. 999 is slightly better enjoyed on the DS - it adds a bit to the storytelling, and the final puzzle makes more sense, but for the other titles the platform doesn't really matter. Some people will tell you to buy the Steam version and then just emulate 999's DS version, but the differences aren't that drastic.
Switch/Steam/Ps4/PS4/XBO, exploration/mystery.
After having been in exile for just a bit over 3000000 days, investigator Lady Love Dies is suddenly called upon to investigate a murder case. Gather testimony, evidence, and explore a vast, strange island at your own pace, or jump into the trail literally straight away. You decide when, and who is guilty.
It has a well-written story and fantastic worldbuilding, but I think you'll enjoy the game most for how relaxing it is to play. The island is beautiful, and the soundtrack is perfect for vibing out to. The game is in first-person view though, so fiddle with the settings if you get motion sickness easily.
After having been in exile for just a bit over 3000000 days, investigator Lady Love Dies is suddenly called upon to investigate a murder case. Gather testimony, evidence, and explore a vast, strange island at your own pace, or jump into the trail literally straight away. You decide when, and who is guilty.
It has a well-written story and fantastic worldbuilding, but I think you'll enjoy the game most for how relaxing it is to play. The island is beautiful, and the soundtrack is perfect for vibing out to. The game is in first-person view though, so fiddle with the settings if you get motion sickness easily.
DS/Switch, action RPG. TWEWY series (TWEWY -> NEO: TWEWY).
Play as an angsty teenager trapped in a death game, and try to escape, while not knowing who to trust, and without your memories to reference. (That is, by the way, the exact premise of Dangan Ronpa too, except this is a good game). Incredibly fun real-time combat, a very good story, and a killer soundtrack.
Die-hard TWEWY fans will tell you to play the DS version over the Switch version, but it's no loss if you don't - the main difference is that in the DS version you do combat encounters on both screens simultaneously (it's chaotic, but fun), and that the Switch remaster has a sequel baity bonus episode.
In the sequel, NEO: TWEWY (Switch/PS4/PC), you play as a different angsty teenager. You can play the first game on its own, but don't play NEO: TWEWY before the prequel.
Play as an angsty teenager trapped in a death game, and try to escape, while not knowing who to trust, and without your memories to reference. (That is, by the way, the exact premise of Dangan Ronpa too, except this is a good game). Incredibly fun real-time combat, a very good story, and a killer soundtrack.
Die-hard TWEWY fans will tell you to play the DS version over the Switch version, but it's no loss if you don't - the main difference is that in the DS version you do combat encounters on both screens simultaneously (it's chaotic, but fun), and that the Switch remaster has a sequel baity bonus episode.
In the sequel, NEO: TWEWY (Switch/PS4/PC), you play as a different angsty teenager. You can play the first game on its own, but don't play NEO: TWEWY before the prequel.
Steam/Switch, RPG. Based on an MMORPG named Kingdom of Loathing.
A lighthearted and incredibly funny RPG with turn-based combat. You set out from your family farm into the uncharted Wild West, seeking adventure and fortune.
The game allows you to make plenty of player choices and follow some different storylines depending, which makes each playthrough different. The game is narrated a bit as though you're a player in a TTRPG, and it's genuinely something special, which is the main reason I recommend it.
A lighthearted and incredibly funny RPG with turn-based combat. You set out from your family farm into the uncharted Wild West, seeking adventure and fortune.
The game allows you to make plenty of player choices and follow some different storylines depending, which makes each playthrough different. The game is narrated a bit as though you're a player in a TTRPG, and it's genuinely something special, which is the main reason I recommend it.
DS game, point-and-click mystery VN. Hotel Dusk series (Hotel Dusk -> Last Window).
You play as hardened ex-cop Kyle Hyde, tasked with solving the mysteries surrounding the hotel he stays at, through exploring, talking to people, and playing some yanky DS-style minigames.
I recommended this to you while I visited, and I still think it's a fantastic mystery game - but in retrospect, I'm... not sure how I'd actually get you to play it. It uses so many of the DS gimmicks, that it's about unplayable on an emulator. Unless you get a hold of this game physically, you'll want to use a flash card. Same for Last Window.
Hotel Dusk and Last Window could both be played standalone, or in no particular order, though they do compliment each other, and Last Window has references to Hotel Dusk. There's sort-of a third entry in the series, but don't worry about that or how it ties into things (it's kind of a long story).
You play as hardened ex-cop Kyle Hyde, tasked with solving the mysteries surrounding the hotel he stays at, through exploring, talking to people, and playing some yanky DS-style minigames.
I recommended this to you while I visited, and I still think it's a fantastic mystery game - but in retrospect, I'm... not sure how I'd actually get you to play it. It uses so many of the DS gimmicks, that it's about unplayable on an emulator. Unless you get a hold of this game physically, you'll want to use a flash card. Same for Last Window.
Hotel Dusk and Last Window could both be played standalone, or in no particular order, though they do compliment each other, and Last Window has references to Hotel Dusk. There's sort-of a third entry in the series, but don't worry about that or how it ties into things (it's kind of a long story).
DS, puzzle. Professor Layton series (Curious Village -> Pandora's Box -> Lost Future -> Spectre's Call -> Miracle Mask -> Azran Legacy).
Titular Professor Layton investigates a curious village, gradually solving the mysteries beneath its surface, along with a good 100+ puzzles. The stories in PL are much more fantastical than in Ace Attorney, and very strong and fun mysteries that you slowly unravel. Really only for people who love puzzles, though.
Curious Village/Pandoras Box/Lost Future are a trilogy, and Spectre's Call/Miracle Mask/Azran Legacy are a prequel trilogy. I haven't actually played all of them, but I'm pretty sure you could start with either trilogy, or you could try the Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright crossover (3DS) first. Two more spin-offs exist; Layton Brothers: Mystery Room (phone) and Katrielle & the Millionaires' Conspiracy (3DS). PL games are fairly self-contained, so don't worry about it being a 9-game commitment.
Titular Professor Layton investigates a curious village, gradually solving the mysteries beneath its surface, along with a good 100+ puzzles. The stories in PL are much more fantastical than in Ace Attorney, and very strong and fun mysteries that you slowly unravel. Really only for people who love puzzles, though.
Curious Village/Pandoras Box/Lost Future are a trilogy, and Spectre's Call/Miracle Mask/Azran Legacy are a prequel trilogy. I haven't actually played all of them, but I'm pretty sure you could start with either trilogy, or you could try the Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright crossover (3DS) first. Two more spin-offs exist; Layton Brothers: Mystery Room (phone) and Katrielle & the Millionaires' Conspiracy (3DS). PL games are fairly self-contained, so don't worry about it being a 9-game commitment.
Switch/PS4/XBO, murder mystery. AI:TSF series (AI:TSF -> AI:TSF - Nirvana Initiative). A Kotaro Uchikochi game (like the ZE series).
Play as Date, guy who sucks, and special detective who can dive into the subconscious of people's minds. The game starts off with a murder, and as you investigate, you realize more and more just how things connect to each other, and to you. It has multiple routes, but they all eventually lead to one ending.
I beat this recently! I think you'll enjoy it if you like mysteries and conspiracy theories. One of the characters is a Minecraft streamer catgirl idol. Very technically you could play the sequel first, because it has a "spoiler-free" mode, but you... probably shouldn't do that and just start with this game.
Play as Date, guy who sucks, and special detective who can dive into the subconscious of people's minds. The game starts off with a murder, and as you investigate, you realize more and more just how things connect to each other, and to you. It has multiple routes, but they all eventually lead to one ending.
I beat this recently! I think you'll enjoy it if you like mysteries and conspiracy theories. One of the characters is a Minecraft streamer catgirl idol. Very technically you could play the sequel first, because it has a "spoiler-free" mode, but you... probably shouldn't do that and just start with this game.
PC, puzzle/VN
A visual novel about a high schooler stuck in a death game. Apparently has some puzzles, and reasoning segments. I honestly haven't played this myself, but some of my friends are recommending it. If it sucks, let me know so I can take this off of my to-play list!
The vgperson translation can be played online for free, but not all chapters of the game are playable yet (it's pretty close to completion, though)!
A visual novel about a high schooler stuck in a death game. Apparently has some puzzles, and reasoning segments. I honestly haven't played this myself, but some of my friends are recommending it. If it sucks, let me know so I can take this off of my to-play list!
The vgperson translation can be played online for free, but not all chapters of the game are playable yet (it's pretty close to completion, though)!
Steam/Switch, visual novel.
I have not played this myself yet! But multiple of my friends have recommended it, and everyone I know who has played it really enjoyed it, in particular for it's sense of humor. You play as a defense attorney à la Ace Attorney, and also you are a bird.
I have not played this myself yet! But multiple of my friends have recommended it, and everyone I know who has played it really enjoyed it, in particular for it's sense of humor. You play as a defense attorney à la Ace Attorney, and also you are a bird.
Steam/Switch/PS4/PS5/XBO, mystery.
I haven't played this game yet, but it's pretty high up on my to-play list! You play as an amnesiac detective attempting to solve a murder mystery. Gameplay is text-heavy, and based on a self-written TTRPG system, with skill checks and dialogue choices. I honestly know more about the legal drama surrounding this title than the actual game itself, though.
There has been talk of a potential sequel, but as I understand it, the rights for the game are currently in limbo as some of the original writers split off from the current copyright holders over political differences, and are suing.
I haven't played this game yet, but it's pretty high up on my to-play list! You play as an amnesiac detective attempting to solve a murder mystery. Gameplay is text-heavy, and based on a self-written TTRPG system, with skill checks and dialogue choices. I honestly know more about the legal drama surrounding this title than the actual game itself, though.
There has been talk of a potential sequel, but as I understand it, the rights for the game are currently in limbo as some of the original writers split off from the current copyright holders over political differences, and are suing.
Switch/PS4/PS5/XBO, mystery.
I honestly don't really know anything about this game, beyond its description; the titular character returns to her family home, and uncovers the unusual ways in which each of her family members has died. I'm not even sure what the gameplay itself is like.
My friend 19 recommended it and hasn't led me astray so far, so I hope to play it myself soon!
I honestly don't really know anything about this game, beyond its description; the titular character returns to her family home, and uncovers the unusual ways in which each of her family members has died. I'm not even sure what the gameplay itself is like.
My friend 19 recommended it and hasn't led me astray so far, so I hope to play it myself soon!
PC/Switch/PS4/XBO, murder mystery/point & click. Detective Grimoire series (Detective Grimoire -> Secret of the Swamp -> Tangle Tower).
Detective Grimoire and his trusty sidekick Sally are called to investigate a murder at a big and colorful mansion. Gameplay involves taking testimony, solving puzzles, and other regular point-and-click stuff. The artwork in this game is gorgeous, the voice acting is fantastic, and the mystery is fun - but the game isn't all too long to play through. I'd get it on sale, if you can.
It's part of a series, but the previous entries are... not generally considered as good. Either way, they're all self-contained mysteries, so you don't have to play all of them or in any particular order, if you'd want to.
Detective Grimoire and his trusty sidekick Sally are called to investigate a murder at a big and colorful mansion. Gameplay involves taking testimony, solving puzzles, and other regular point-and-click stuff. The artwork in this game is gorgeous, the voice acting is fantastic, and the mystery is fun - but the game isn't all too long to play through. I'd get it on sale, if you can.
It's part of a series, but the previous entries are... not generally considered as good. Either way, they're all self-contained mysteries, so you don't have to play all of them or in any particular order, if you'd want to.
PC/Switch, point & click.
Meant for release this summer, but got delayed to 2023. I left it on the list anyway because it looked fun, and so I don't forget to play it when it does release. The game revolves around a murder mystery set on a train, and has three playable characters.
Was originally made for a game jam, so a (much) earlier version floats around on the internet. I imagine that there will be some differences between the game they made in two weeks and this one, though, so I'd wait for them to finish this one!
Meant for release this summer, but got delayed to 2023. I left it on the list anyway because it looked fun, and so I don't forget to play it when it does release. The game revolves around a murder mystery set on a train, and has three playable characters.
Was originally made for a game jam, so a (much) earlier version floats around on the internet. I imagine that there will be some differences between the game they made in two weeks and this one, though, so I'd wait for them to finish this one!
lesbiankakyoin
3 months ago