“The Hundred Line”: A Visual Novel So Vast, It’s Pushing Its Creators to Bankruptcy
Ever heard of a game so ambitious, so brimming with content, that it might actually bankrupt its creators? That's the story swirling around The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy, a visual novel/tactical RPG hybrid from Too Kyo Games, helmed by the masterminds behind the acclaimed Danganronpa and Zero Escape series.
Despite positive reviews and decent sales, studio CEO Kazutaka Kodaka has voiced serious concerns about the company's financial stability, hinting at the game's immense scope as a major contributing factor. The game is currently only available in English, Japanese and Chinese version.
But what makes The Hundred Line so demanding? It's not your typical visual novel. While the first 30 hours offer a rollercoaster of plot twists and a seemingly definitive ending, it’s merely a prologue. The game then explodes into a mind-bending web of narrative branches, each leading to different genres and conclusions, with a staggering 100 endings to discover.
One reviewer at Noisy Pixel allegedly took over 130 hours to achieve 100% completion, even with the ability to skip familiar battles. This immense word count has made localization a daunting prospect, even with limited voice acting.
Kodaka himself admitted the game was a gamble, pouring all his skills and resources into a single "battle." He knew the five-year development cycle, including a complete reboot, was risky. But judging from initial impressions, it seems The Hundred Line has won fans over with its unusual blend of visual novel and tactical RPG elements. It has quickly risen to become the current best-rated game of 2025.
Clair Obscur Expedition 33’s director, Guillaume Broche, praised it as “another great turn-based RPG that was also released last week and made with love by an awesome team.”
The core gameplay involves managing Takumi Sumino, a high school student granted special powers, and his unit as they defend their academy against waves of invaders. Besides dialogue, the game keeps the user engaged with free-time where a player can train in virtual battles, upgrade skills, explore outside the academy, and more.
The Hundred Line -Last Defense Academy- is a wonderful experience where adventure and tactical RPG have been mixed in ideal proportions to deliver an engaging tale.
Despite the financial uncertainty, the game's creative ambition and positive reception suggest that Kodaka's bet might pay off. Are you intrigued by a game that's pushing the boundaries of the visual novel genre? Will its hundred endings justify the potential financial ruin of its creators? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
