Introduction

Despite my love for anime and my rather large watch history spanning decades, some series still evade me. There are dozens of anime I hear about randomly and wonder how I missed them. One of those was TRIBE NINE, a 12-episode anime by studio Liden Films. I haven’t finished it yet, but after seeing a few episodes, I wasn’t immediately hooked—something that aligns with the reviews.

That’s why I was shocked in two ways. First, that the creator behind Danganronpa (one of my favorite franchises) didn’t hit a home run with TRIBE NINE. And second, that a video game was being developed. TRIBE NINE is part gacha game, part third-person action RPG, and part homage to classic gaming. After investing several hours into it, I figured, why not review it and help you decide whether it’s worth downloading or if you should just play another title by Kazutaka Kodaka like Master Detective Archives: Rain Code or World’s End Club. Here’s my review of TRIBE NINE for Android!

Watch the Official Trailer

Gameplay

TRIBE NINE feels like a game with an identity crisis. If you’ve played even one Danganronpa game… you know to expect the unexpected. At first, it feels like a Final Fantasy-style RPG where you explore, talk to NPCs, and complete tasks. Then, suddenly, it transforms into a high-octane third-person hack-and-slash action game. Later, you’re thrust into a chaotic game of Extreme Baseball (XB), where the entire city serves as the stadium.

The primary gameplay blends RPG and hack-and-slash mechanics. You initially play as Yo Kuronaka, an insomniac caught in a strange situation. He quickly learns that escaping his world means confronting an unseen force shaping his reality. While exploring Neo-Tokyo, you engage enemies, find treasures, and talk to NPCs. But where TRIBE NINE shines is in its real-time action combat.

Battles are fast, dynamic, and focused on parries and combos. Yo wields a bat, attacking with quick and heavy strikes while dodging and parrying for counterattacks. The tension gauge fuels special moves, adding a strategic layer. While the combat feels responsive, it doesn’t stand out compared to similar games.

Extreme Baseball (XB)

The game’s highlight is XB, or Extreme Baseball. While it follows traditional baseball rules—three outs, switching teams, and scoring runs—it dials everything up to anime-like intensity. Players chase after balls across an entire city, and superpowered throws look like meteor strikes. It’s ridiculous, over-the-top, and honestly, the best part of the game.

Unfortunately, XB doesn’t happen often enough, and the rest of the gameplay struggles to stand out. Combat feels repetitive, and the gacha elements are standard fare. While the mechanics work, nothing about them knocks it out of the park.

Graphics

If TRIBE NINE excels anywhere, it’s in the visuals. Initially, it resembles a classic NES-style RPG with charming pixel art. But once the real game begins, the Danganronpa-inspired character designs and high-energy action sequences take center stage. Extreme Baseball looks incredible, making me want to experience it on a bigger screen.

Sound

TRIBE NINE is okay in the sound department. The music and voice acting are serviceable but nothing remarkable. Considering how impressive the Danganronpa soundtrack is, I was hoping for something more memorable.

Story

Yo believes he has been waiting for a sign from the goddess statue to prove himself, only to discover his last two years have been a simulated lie. Outside his fake village lies a futuristic world of 23 cities, each threatened by satellite-based weaponry. Rescued by rebels, Yo joins them in their fight against Zero, a mysterious figure manipulating the world like a twisted game.

The story isn’t groundbreaking, but it’s filled with unique themes and twists, keeping me intrigued even when the gameplay wore thin.

Overall Impression

TRIBE NINE enters a crowded market of gacha RPGs, and while it does some things well, it doesn’t do them better than its competitors. The visuals and XB are fantastic, but the core gameplay lacks staying power.

Conclusion

TRIBE NINE didn’t wow me as a gacha game or an action RPG, but it’s not bad either. I see myself booting it up when I’m bored, but with so many superior gacha games like Genshin Impact and Fate/Grand Order, I doubt TRIBE NINE has the staying power to become a long-term favorite.

Perhaps future updates will enhance the experience, but as it stands, the core gameplay gets stale too quickly. The story, while interesting, isn’t engaging enough to keep me invested. It’s a shame because TRIBE NINE has a lot going for it, but every element it offers has been done better elsewhere. That said, I’ll always have a soft spot for Extreme Baseball!

—Aaron