
Last Defense Academy makes confusion part of the fun
If you, like I, answered ' Danganronpa!' — as this premise sounds very much like the plot of the quirky and irreverent murder-mystery series from Spike Chunsoft — then congratulations! We're both totally wrong! And after 45 in-game days with LDA, I still have no idea what's going on, and I love it.
I'm going to be gentle with myself and you for thinking LDA is another entry in the genre of high school-themed killing games. After all, it was developed by Kazutaka Kodaka, creator and writer of the Danganronpa franchise, in collaboration with Kotaro Uchikoshi, known for his work on the adventure-puzzle game series Zero Escape. And though LDA oozes with the DNA from both series, it stands so completely apart mechanically and narratively that while I can get a grasp on the former, I'm lost with the latter.
The premise is simple enough. You play as Takumi Sumino, who gets whisked away to the Last Defense Academy, where he and a group of others use their newly awakened powers to defend the school from monster attacks for 100 days. Should they fail, the invaders will destroy the school and thereby… because of plot… all of humanity. Usually past a certain point, I can figure out a game's core gameplay loop and rough narrative thrust. When the first body dropped in Danganronpa, I immediately understood that I'd be spending the rest of the game solving my classmates' murders. But I haven't been able to figure out LDA.
I understand the gameplay loop easily enough: it's a tactical RPG with visual novel-like relationship-building elements. Combat takes place on a gridded battlefield with each combatant able to attack in a different configuration, similar to chess. One of Takumi's abilities attacks enemies in a straight line. My ally, Gaku, attacks in a rectangular pattern. Each of my allies' attacks contributes to a voltage meter that allows us to use our special abilities when full. And if one of my allies should fall, they'll be revived before the next wave of enemies.
I like how the tactical combat isn't like Fire Emblem or Triangle Strategy. LDA is unique, as you're not trying to manage the complex rock-paper-scissors formula of what weapons are strong or weak against each other. Instead, life is the engine that drives combat. Actions you take are determined by how many action points, or AP, you have, and killing certain enemies grants you more AP. On the flip side, allies who are near death can unleash big special attacks that can clear entire battlefields at the cost of losing them for the rest of the wave.
Combat then becomes a function of playing with life totals — my enemies and mine. I'll arrange my attacks in such a way that every time I act, I kill an enemy and gain more AP so I can just keep going, denying my enemies the chance to fight back. Then, when I'm out of AP, I can unleash a killing blow that ends the round. My allies get revived the next round, and I can start the process all over again. I've been left so unsatisfied by the crop of tactical RPGs lately, and LDA fills the gaping hole Fire Emblem Engage created and the Advance Wars remakes could not fix.
But while I've got a handle on the combat, I still haven't the faintest clue of the story it's trying to tell. My confusion is so thorough that as I go through each new day, my experiences start sounding like wartime letters from the front lines.
It's day 33. Our self-proclaimed leader, Hiruko, is still missing. We're starting to suspect she'll never return. Meanwhile, the enemy keeps hurling themselves at our defenses. So far, we've been able to hold them off. Gaku recently developed his power, revealing himself to be a peerless ranged fighter. But our forces are nowhere near full strength, since Ima, Kako, and Shouma refuse to fight. And alas! Our foodstores have burnt up and I fear we'll starve soon. War is grim, but I fight knowing the closer I get to the 100th day is a day I am closer to returning home… or so I hope.
LDA 's narrative is so unlike anything I've ever experienced that not knowing what's happening next is part of the fun. I like getting dragged along for the ride, discovering new developments alongside the characters, who are themselves a delight. As other outlets have pointed out, Darumi Amemiya is the physical manifestation of the irony-poisoned and terminally online dirtbag edgel(ady), and I adore her even if her characterization gets uncomfortably familiar sometimes.
I also really enjoy how the characters are over-the-top caricatures themselves — Darumi's the creepy murder-obsessed emo girl, Takemaru's the typical fighting-obsessed delinquent — but make decisions like normal people. I often struggle to get into 'transported to another world' stories because none of the decisions made in them have ever made sense to me, a woman who can't turn off her overly logical and reason-obsessed brain in order to just go with the flow. So it's incredibly refreshing to see these characters push back on the circumstances they've been dropped in.
Instead of just accepting that they've been taken from everything they've ever known and forced to fight and die (even if that death is temporary), some of my allies maintain a healthy level of skepticism, question everything, and refuse to fight. I know I would! And even better, other characters in the game understand and acknowledge that as a reasonable position. There's no rah-rah speech of 'You must fight!' that convinces them to take up arms. The reluctant characters are given the space to come around on their own time and for their own reasons.
That may sound boring. After all, in an isekai-like narrative, the characters are usually forced to get on board quickly otherwise there wouldn't be a plot. So seeing a game take its time with the reluctant characters, letting them work through their hangups in a natural and unforced way, was pleasing to my brain.
In the almost 50 days I've spent with LDA, I do have some working theories as to where the overall story will go. How it gets there, though, I have no clue, but I'm excited to see what twists the game will take along the way.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
21 Popular Songs You Probably Didn't Know Are Covers Of The Original
Many people prefer certain song covers to the original, which is perfectly fine. On the other hand, there are songs that people are clueless about, even if they are song covers in the first place! Which means I can now rock out to two versions of these classics! Here are 21 songs you didn't know were actually covers: 1."1985" by Bowling for Soup is a cover of the song by American pop-punk band SR-71, which was released just two months earlier in Japan before the manager believed it was a better fit for Bowling for Soup. probably more well-known, the emotional song "Hurt" by Johnny Cash is a cover of the song performed by the rock band Nine Inch Nails. 3."Respect" by Aretha Franklin is a cover of Otis Redding's 1965 song by the same name. Franklin really flipped the lyrics on their head to create an all-time classic. 4."Renegades of Funk" by Rage Against the Machine is a cover of the Afrika Bambaataa & The Soul Sonic Force song of the same name. song "It's My Life" by No Doubt is a cover of the English band Talk Talk's original release in 1984. iconic "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston is a cover of the 1974 song by Dolly Parton, which was featured on her famous album "Jolene." absolute shocker to my '90s brain, but the 1997 hit song "Torn" by Australian singer Natalie Imbruglia is actually a cover originally sung by American rock band Ednaswap, which was released in 1995. popular song "Don't Cha" by The Pussycat Dolls is a cover of the original song by Tori Alamaze. popular '80s hit "Tainted Love" by Soft Cell is a cover of Gloria Jones's "Tainted Love," released in 1964. song "Superman" by R.E.M. is a cover of "Superman" by The Clique. A B-Side track on the album "White Tornado," it's an R.E.M. gem. mega summer hit from 1999 "Mambo No. 5" by Lou Bega is a sample of the original version by Cuban musician Dámaso Pérez Prado from 1950. 1992 song "Achy Breaky Heart" by Billy Ray Cyrus is a cover of "Don't Tell My Heart," which was first recorded in 1991 by The Marcy Brothers. song "If I Were A Boy" by Beyoncé was performed initially by BC Jean in 2008. song "Black Magic Woman" by Santana is a cover of the song by Fleetwood Mac. Mind blown. In my defense, the Santana version has more views on YouTube than any other version by Fleetwood Mac. 15."Blinded by the Light" by Manfred Mann's Earth Band might be the more popular version, but it was originally written and recorded by Bruce Springsteen. popular Joan Jett & the Blackhearts song "I Love Rock 'n Roll" is a cover of the British glam band Arrow's song "I Love Rock 'n 'Roll." 17."Dancing in the Moonlight" by the English band Toploader is a cover of the song originally recorded by Sherman Kelly's band, Boffalongo, which first released it in 1970. Then, Kelly rereleased the song with his new band, King Harvest, in 1972. So, technically, Kelly covered his own song. 18."Black Betty" by Ram Jam is a cover of a song credited to songwriter Huddie Ledbetter. The oldest recorded version was performed by James "Iron Head" Baker and a group of Texas prisoners in the 1930s. 19."Take Me to the River" by American rock band Talking Heads is a cover of the 1974 soul song by Al Green. 1995 hit "Gangster's Paradise" by Coolio (ft. L.V.) is actually a cover of Stevie Wonder's "Pastime Paradise" from 1976. and mainly for the youngins, Post Malone's cover of the alternative rock song "Only Wanna Be With You," originally released by Hootie & the Blowfish, is now a pop song featured in the Pokémon 25 soundtrack, which has 18M views on YouTube. Is there a song you were stunned to learn was a cover? Comment below (the song and artists)! Solve the daily Crossword


Forbes
5 hours ago
- Forbes
Netflix's Best New Kids Show Has High Audience Scores, Is Adorable
My Melody and Kuromi Well, now that my kids are getting older, I am attempting to find them the occasional show to watch with our limited screen time rules that is not Paw Patrol. Sorry pups, I love you but…I've had enough. One new offering on Netflix is the best new kids show that the streamer has offered in a while, and you may want to check it out. It's the adorable My Melody and Kuromi, a Japanese stop-motion series. The movie is based on Sanrio characters, the company creating hundreds of 'kawaii' characters over the years including the global icon, Hello Kitty. Here, My Melody is a rabbit that was originally created in 1975 and has returned for this brand new series literally 50 years later. Man, 1975 does not feel like 50 years ago, does it? I'm getting old. Kuromi, the other rabbit, was originally conceived in 2005. Here's the synopsis of the series: 'My Melody opens a cake shop in Mariland. After encountering a magical heart in the forest, strange things start happening around her. Meanwhile, Kuromi's Japanese sweets shop across the street is always empty. Kuromi searches for the secret to My Melody's cakes. My Melody and Kuromi work hard to prepare for a sweets-making contest judged by the world-famous pastry chef Pistachio. However, no one knows that this will lead to an incident that threatens the fate of Mariland.' My Melody and Kuromi The show has debuted at #4 on Netflix's top 10 list in the US, which has been watching more and more Asian programming, usually Japanese and Korean, in recent years. While the show does not yet have any critic or audience scores in on Rotten Tomatoes, if you head over to IMDB, the show is currently clocking in at an 8.3/10, extremely high in the context of that site. For instance, my son's beloved Paw Patrol is a 6.1/10. Spidey and His Amazing Friends a 5.8/10. Peppa Pig a 6.3/10. A show that bests it? That would be the legendary Bluey, with a 9.3/10. But I mean, you're just not going to beat Bluey. My Melody and Kuromi is an easy watch, with season 1 being 12 episodes that are 11-15 minutes each for breezy viewing and holding attention spans. This is a TV-PG series, not TV-G, though I'm genuinely not sure why. The first episode has Kuromi stealing ingredients from a rival so I mean, crime? I don't know. Check it out, it's very cute and a good family series so far. Follow me on Twitter, YouTube, Bluesky and Instagram. Pick up my sci-fi novels the Herokiller series and The Earthborn Trilogy.


Associated Press
7 hours ago
- Associated Press
Studycat Redefines Screen Time with Chinese Learning for Kids
Studycat updates its Learn Chinese app to convert screen time into educational sessions for kids aged 3-8, using games to teach Mandarin words and phrases. 'We designed the Studycat app to help parents view screen time as a chance for children to engage with Chinese language learning through interactive games and cultural stories.'— CEO HK, HONG KONG, July 26, 2025 / / -- Studycat, a global leader in children's language education, unveils a transformative update to its award-winning Learn Chinese app, redefining screen time as a powerful tool for kids to learn Chinese. Designed for ages 3-8, the app utilizes interactive games and immersion to make Mandarin mastery fun, safe, and effective, aligning with the 2025 trend of educational screen time. Turn screen time into a learning adventure! Download the free 7-day trial of Studycat's Learn Chinese app at and watch your child fall in love with Chinese. In today's digital age, screen time is often a concern for parents, but Studycat flips the narrative by turning it into a vibrant learning opportunity. With over 1 billion Mandarin speakers worldwide, learning Chinese equips children with a global superpower, boosting cognitive skills and cultural awareness. According to a 2025 report from the National Education Association, educational apps can enhance vocabulary retention by 25% when paired with engaging gameplay. Studycat's Learn Chinese app, accessible at delivers just that, offering 65 lessons across 11 thematic courses that teach 150 words and phrases, from colors to animals, through play-based immersion. The app's curriculum, crafted by language and early education experts, aligns with the Youth Chinese Test (YCT) standards, ensuring that kids build a strong foundation in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Key features include: - Gamified Lessons: Interactive games, such as memory matching and whack-a-mole, make learning feel like play, boosting engagement by 30% compared to traditional methods. - Cultural Immersion: Stories featuring Chinese traditions, like the Lunar New Year, connect kids to the language's cultural roots. - Safe and Ad-Free: Ad-free and kid's safe, the app provides a distraction-free and secure environment for young learners. - Offline Access: Available for use anywhere, from car rides to international flights, making learning seamless and convenient. Parents report remarkable results, with 85% noting improved confidence in their children's Mandarin skills within weeks. The app's bite-sized lessons cater to short attention spans, while its colorful characters—Studycat, Ali, Kitty, Bob, and Tom—guide kids through a virtual world of puzzles, songs, and speaking challenges. This approach taps into the 2025 edtech trend of blending entertainment with education, as seen on platforms like MamaBabyMandarin, which highlight apps as vital tools for independent learning. Studycat's focus on immersion, where kids hear only Chinese, mirrors proven language acquisition methods, fostering fluency faster than bilingual apps. The app also addresses parental concerns about excessive screen time. By integrating learning with play, Studycat ensures kids aren't just entertained but are building skills for life. Research from GoEast Mandarin shows bilingual kids excel in problem-solving and creativity, and Studycat's curriculum enhances these benefits through verbal repetition and visual cues. With a free 7-day trial, parents can explore themed courses, such as 'Colors' and 'Animals,' which introduce vocabulary through vibrant animations and native-speaker audio. The app's design supports diverse learners, including non-heritage speakers, and offers printable worksheets for offline reinforcement, bridging digital and real-world learning. As China's cultural and economic influence grows, Studycat empowers kids to connect with a global community. The app's intuitive interface allows even preschoolers to navigate independently, while progress tracking keeps parents informed. With over 1 million users across 180 countries, Studycat's proven track record and accolades from educational bodies underscore its effectiveness. About Studycat Studycat, founded in 2011 in Hong Kong, is a global leader in children's language education, serving over 1 million learners in 180 countries. Its award-winning apps, including Learn Chinese, combine expert-designed curricula with interactive games to make learning English, Spanish, French, German, and Chinese fun and effective. Committed to safe, ad-free environments, Studycat empowers kids to build bilingual skills through play. Press Relations Studycat +852 2868 1234 email us here Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.