The Hundred Line -Last Defense Academy- is a new adventure game from Kazutaka Kodaka and Kotaro Uchikoshi, the creators of Danganronpa and Zero Escape. The game combines strategic RPG battles, relationship-building, and a dark, despair-filled narrative. You play as Takumi Sumino, an average teenager thrust into a bizarre and dangerous situation where he and 14 other students must defend their school from grotesque monsters for 100 days. While the game offers a unique blend of gameplay elements and a gripping story, it also has some flaws that might hold it back from being a must-play title.
PLEASE NOTE THIS PREVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS
Interesting premise that keeps on building
The story is the heart of The Hundred Line. Takumi starts as an ordinary teenager living in the Tokyo Residential Complex, a peaceful place where nothing ever goes wrong. However, his life is turned upside down when monstrous invaders attack, and a mysterious creature named Sirei offers him the power to protect his loved ones, by stabbing himself in the chest. This shocking act transports Takumi to the Last Defense Academy, a school surrounded by otherworldly flames. Here, he and 14 other students are drafted into the Special Defense Unit, tasked with protecting the school for 100 days.
The narrative is filled with the signature despair and twists that fans of Kodaka and Uchikoshi’s work will recognize. Takumi’s choices shape the story, leading to multiple endings that could range from hopeful to utterly tragic. The game keeps you on edge, wondering what consequences your decisions will have and whether the characters will survive the 100-day ordeal. The story is engaging and emotionally charged, with plenty of mystery and tension to keep you invested.
At this point, I’m not entirely sure about the game’s direction. The story seems compelling, the voice acting, as well as cutscenes are excellent, and the character design perfectly complements the game’s style. But, the demo feels more like a filler first episode in an anime, it leaves you wanting more but forces you to wait for the next week’s episode. While I’m cautious about the game, it’s definitely very promising.
Gameplay seems to be fun, but falls short in the demo
The gameplay is divided into two main parts: Defensive Battles and Free Time & Exploration. When the invaders attack, the game shifts to SRPG (Strategy Role-Playing Game) battles. You control the students, each with unique Specialist Skills, to defend the school. The battles require careful planning and strategy, as you must position your units effectively and use their abilities to turn the tide in your favor. The combat system is solid, with a good mix of tactical depth and accessibility.
Another noteworthy aspect is how each character feels unique and enjoyable to play. They deal different amounts of damage, move in distinct ways, and have varied attack patterns. While this adds to the fun, the gameplay can become repetitive, as battles tend to follow a similar structure and lack diversity in enemy types and objectives. The full version could introduce new mechanics to keep things fresh.
I was not fond of the game’s dual set of objectives during battles: one set you must complete to win, and another you must avoid to prevent failure. While your characters are practically immortal (they resurrect if they die), there’s an objective that results in a game over if any teammate dies, which feels out of place. Strangely, if you choose to activate an ultimate ability before the power gauge is fully charged, you can sacrifice a character to inspire others, allowing them to use their abilities immediately.
I’m curious to see whether the game will adopt Persona-style relationships
Between battles, you can spend time with your teammates to deepen your bonds or explore the wilderness and ruins outside the school. Building relationships is a key part of the game. Unfortunately, the demo doesn’t thoroughly showcase this mechanic, so we don’t know how much it will impact the gameplay. On the other hand. the exploration segments are a nice break from the battles, but they can feel shallow compared to the more engaging narrative and combat sections.
You can freely explore the closed map in side-scrolling view, and a fast travel option makes navigation more convenient. However, I wasn’t a big fan of the exploration mechanics, which play out like a tabletop or Monopoly-style board game. You venture into the world using cards that grant a set number of movement points. Along the way, you collect useful resources for upgrades and engage in smaller-scale battles against enemies. There are also various events, both positive and negative, but they often lack proper explanations.
I’m curious to see whether the game will adopt Persona-style relationships, including potential romances or if relationships will provide certain benefits. That’s something we’ll have to wait and see. For now, there’s a diverse cast of characters you’ll likely find yourself either liking or disliking. However, I’m cautiously observing how this system will function, given that you only have two time slots per day for these activities.
Ending thoughts
The Hundred Line -Last Defense Academy- is a great adventure game that blends strategic battles, relationship-building, and a dark, despair-filled narrative. The story is the standout feature, with its emotional depth and probably multiple endings since the choices really do matter in this game. The SRPG combat system is solid but can feel repetitive, and the exploration segments, while a nice addition, lack proper depth. This is just based on what we saw in the demo, so it could be different in the full game.
To conclude, for fans of Danganronpa and Zero Escape, this game offers a familiar yet fresh experience. If you’re looking for a game with a great story and tactical gameplay, The Hundred Line is worth a try. While it’s not without its shortcomings, some of which may become more apparent in the full version, it’s still worth staying optimistic about.
I’m intrigued, it seems like a really good game. Anime fans, in particular, might enjoy it, as the stunning cutscenes make it feel like you’re watching an anime unfold within the game. If you’re curious, there’s a free demo available on Steam to try out now.
English (UK) 
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