Kumitantei: Old-School Slaughter

I originally dismissed this game as a Danganronpa knock-off, while it's true that this game shares many similarities with the original series, there are several choices made in the gameplay loop and the first chapter that help to set Kumitantei apart. After the first chapter, I had to lay on the ground and just think about what I had witnessed. The storytelling is immaculate and I cannot wait for Chapter 2 and onwards to come out. Do yourself a favor and buy this game now while it is still pretty inexpensive.

People say that this is a knockoff danganronpa and shouldn't even be considered as an original game and not a fan-game, and mostly I do agree with it 16 Ultimates (Absolutes in KT:OSS but it's the same thing), Monokuma (in this it's Nyanus but it's quite literally monokuma disguised as a cat), Class trials, the execution, and some other things But to say that it's a knockoff danganronpa game is unbelieveable to me, and I might just be biased but this game is WAY better then danganronpa could ever be I love most of the characters and I can tell that I WILL cry once they die or get executed, and they actually have depth unlike most of danganronpa characters Having different minigames is cool aswell, I really love the card battle's (even tho I would say that they need some slight changes). The space invaders is... not mine really? It's quite confusing but I can see the potentional in it and I hope they rework it Merlite is nice, but I feel it needs something else to it or else it will just be really boring I personally like Nyanus and Nyanusofu way more then Monokuma as they're funnier to me, but that's just a personal opinion (and they work really well together) The first trial was REALLY huge and I did have to use my pretty little head from time to time, and the plottwist in the end was DEVESTATING I also really like the card battle boss, it should be changed a little bit though as it's possible to just get the same coloured card the whole time and not having to change colors at all And the execution was spot on, probably one of my most favorite executions in any danganronpa styled game In the end: It is quite obvious that this game is very familiar to danganronpa, but I think it's allowed to say that they are trying to make a game like danganronpa while not trying to BE a danganronpa game (if that makes sense) what I think has to happen is the rework of the minigames, not exactly remove them, but instead rework them slightly to work better and be more fun I LOVE the OST and there are some hidden gems in it, I hope to hear more of it in the future!! I send all my love out to everyone developing the game and I can't wait for chapter 2 PS: pls dont turn out like PJ:EG <3

Gonna give a disclaimer and say that everything in this review is based off of Episode 1 and I may feel different with different episodes Kumitantei: Old-School Slaughter is a VN most clearly inspired by Danganronpa. 16 people trapped, only way to escape is through murder, murderous mascot overseeing things, the works. They also mention other visual novel authors as inspiration in the credits but the Danganronpa influence can be felt the most, especially in terms of visuals. The presentation is pretty good throughout with 2D animated cutscenes and pretty decent VA. Gameplay wise, it's again very similar to Danganronpa. You have Free Time, where you bond with your classmates allowing you to get skills you can use in the trials, and the trials themselves. The trials mainly take the format of Non Stop Debates (called War of Words here) and involves characters talking with no breaks as you try to find the contradiction and shoot it with an evidence card that matches. The War of Words does a pretty good job of emulating the Non Stop Debates of Danganronpa and brings the energy you'd expect. While I did struggle at times, it's also been a minute since I've played a Danganronpa game. You also have versions of Hangman's Gambit (here a decent enough Galaga ripoff), Logic Dive (in the form of a Donkey Kong ripoff) and Closing Arguments (which plays pretty closely how it does in DR). All in all while I do prefer how DR games play over this, it does a good job emulating the formula. There's also a mechanic entirely new to Kumitantei: card battles. Instead of the Rebuttal Showdown or Argument Armamament, here you engage in card battles when you need to do a 1 v 1 with a specific trial member. You have 4 card types with each counteracting the other, highest number wins and lets you gain influence towards your side, after getting the meter completely to your side you win. I'm not gonna lie, this kind of sucks. It's a decent enough idea, but it completely kills the pacing compared to RS or AA, and it doesnt feel like it connects to the rest of the trial in a good way. It feels way too lowkey compared to the rest of the game at least outside of visuals. The game also does a pretty bad job of helping you understand this system as your first introduction to it is a completely automated battle as the game explains everything about it to you. A faster paced version of it also replaces the Panic Talk Action that served as Danganronpa's "boss fights" in the past. It has more energy at least but it still suffers a similar problem. Storywise I don't have a ton to say right now. The characters all seem pretty interesting and I like the central mystery that they're currently trying to setup for later episodes. Episode 1 does have a pretty compelling mystery with a culprit you can understand and even ends in the usual DR tearjerker affair. I hope the rest of the episodes can keep the train going storywise at least. Overall, while I'm not a fan of the card battle system, it by no means ruins the game for me. If you're a Danganronpa fan and want to check out Episode 1 while waiting for 2x2 I recommend it.

This game is really promising and the dream sequences especially have me hooked. My biggest frustration was not realizing this would be an episodic release until finishing the first chapter, because I am so excited to continue playing it! Keep up the awesome work.

Um dos Melhores Jogos Danganronpa-Like que já Joguei e Mesmo estando no Comecinho (Episódio 1) já Supriu aquele vazio que o Cancelamento de Eden's Garden Deixou. A História Tem MUITO Potencial, e o parte de Terror do Jogo é MUITO bem Construída até aqui. Dublagem tá Fenomenal, o Traço também e as Mecânicas Próprias são ÓTIMAS e Muito bem Balanceadas até Então (Que a Shigure e o Ajima Sobrevivam até o Final, Amém)

Give It a try If you really love the Danganronpa series or even a Murder Mystery/Social Deduction Single Player with characters that have their own personalities

Well the game currently is not finished, I do think I can check yes to Steams question “Do you recommend the game”. This was one of the best experiences with visual novels since I played DDLC back in 2019. I feel like my only main gripe with the game is the free time events felt a hollow, I was really excited to learn more about my favourites and well there where some utterly adorable FTE’s, I feel like the system could use some touch ups for Episode 2. Still the characters are amazing, the art is amazing, music is pretty good and it feels very unique. If anyone says this game is “Knock off Danganronpa” or “A Fangan with a price tag” they either didn’t play the game, or are being disingenuous. The prologue I think was a solid 8.5/10 and Episode 1 was a 9/10, set the bar really high for the future releases. Hopefully I can edit this comment in the near future with more up to date information on Episode 2. Thank you Dev’s for making such an amazing game <3

I enjoyed it. I wasn't expecting a lot, but I was pleasantly surprised. I just don't like how random the boss version of the card game feels.

this game may only have one chapter right now omg its so good im crying, sobbing, eating my tears even im going to be very happy for chapter two

Words cannot describe how impressed I am with Kumitantei OSS, but I still want to give it my best shot! In spite of its obvious influences, it takes existing formulas and makes them so fresh and interesting, but the best part of it all is its additions to that existing foundations. The card battling is such a natural fit into a killing game mystery visual novel, elevating and making tense moments even more so! The cast is INCREDIBLE, lovingly enhancing fun tropes and adding more to them as it did with the gameplay concepts before hand. Hats off to the voice actors as well for really fun performances, Shigure Moichi and Himari REALLY knocked it out of the park! But my absolute favorite part is a major spoiler, [spoiler] throughout the episode you're slowly fed horrific news segments and old tv interviews, introducing a VERY unsettling horror subplot that I cannot wait to see explored in episode 2. [/spoiler] If you are a fan of the obvious inspirations there is absolutely no reason to not give Kumitantei a chance. So hyped for episode 2.