If I'm still on the fence with this series is the anime worth watching to get the jist of the first game's story? I've heard mixed feelings about the anime but I'm really interested in checking it out.
I am currently watching it afte finishing the first game. You get enough information to understand what's going on. However, most charactes ae extremely flat, because the development happens in the game during "Free Time", which is completely absent in the anime. Also, the investigation is extremely short, so I doubt that you could guess for most of the time who the real culprit is. Some things are also missing, nothing extremely important stuff, but it just works better with the game. I have to admit, back when the anime aired I really enjoyed it, but only watched the first 3 episodes. I think that you could enjoy it, even without playing the game, but after playing it I can definitly say that it's a really rushed adaption.
Finished the first trial and I am now starting the second (or to be mnore pecise, since I have to go in an hour, I will start it tomorrow xD).
Stuff for the first and second trial in DR 2:
Playing on Mean, the difficulty is higher right of the bat, which I liked. I also like most of the new additions that were added. As mentioned earlier, I already think the first trial is more complex than anything in DR 1. I guessed the culprit correctly, but never thought of having 2 already. While I thought Nagito could have done it because he was preparing, I never imagined him to be that insane.
As for the second trial, I can only gather bits and pieces, but this time I have no idea of the overall thing that happened. My guesswork so far, Fuyuhiko was probably the first who beat the game. He also mentioned a sister earlier and went missing when we met the girls at the diner, probably to meet up with Hiyoko. He also gave the envelope either to Hiyoko, who later gave it to Mahiru or he gave it to Mahiru himself. I doubt Hiyoko killed her, I think she was hiding in the closet because the Gum was dropped there. She then found the body and ran away (we saw her running away crying). The culprit - for which I have like 5 suspects - escaped through the shower. I have however like no idea what exactly happend. Fuyuhiko mentioned this sister, Sonia wears a wet suit which can also be found in the closet, Peko was swimming so she could have swam around the island and came from somewhere else, Ghundam was completely missing...
So, well, yea, no idea, just bits and pieces. xD
As for the second trial, I can only gather bits and pieces, but this time I have no idea of the overall thing that happened. My guesswork so far, Fuyuhiko was probably the first who beat the game. He also mentioned a sister earlier and went missing when we met the girls at the diner, probably to meet up with Hiyoko. He also gave the envelope either to Hiyoko, who later gave it to Mahiru or he gave it to Mahiru himself. I doubt Hiyoko killed her, I think she was hiding in the closet because the Gum was dropped there. She then found the body and ran away (we saw her running away crying). The culprit - for which I have like 5 suspects - escaped through the shower. I have however like no idea what exactly happend. Fuyuhiko mentioned this sister, Sonia wears a wet suit which can also be found in the closet, Peko was swimming so she could have swam around the island and came from somewhere else, Ghundam was completely missing...
So, well, yea, no idea, just bits and pieces. xD
And some more speculation from me for the overall game:
The "ruins" could be the school from DR 1. Also, please don't tell me Nagito is supposed to be Naegi from DR 1. Having an anagram with an additional "da" as a name (Makoto Naegi -> Nagito Komae + da), same talent, similar look... xD