History VideoGame / WorldsEndClub

[[caption-width-right:350:Friends til the end.]]

[[caption-width-right:350:'''12''' children, '''12''' lives, '''12''' deaths.]]

''World's End Club'', originally announced as ''Death March Club'', is a game developed by Creator/TooKyoGames that features a mix of puzzle and VisualNovel gameplay. A demo was released on September 4, 2020 for Apple Arcade, with the complete game and a UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch version with English voiceover released on May 28, 2021.

* TheNineties: The game's set in the time period, with the opening movie setting it in July of 1995, with the rest of the game taking place a year later in July of 1996. This neatly depicted through many of the character designs, many of which resemble trends with Japanese children of the time.

* {{Cliffhanger}}: The Apple Arcade version originally ended on a cliffhanger, until the complete version of the game was released in 2021. It's revealed that Reycho was a robot being remote-controlled by Pochi, and outing him as a MAIK mole when he refuses to fess up, causing him to run away. After making it back home, everyone then discovers that Tokyo has been reduced to ash, and when MAIK forces show up to attack them, Pochi comes back to save them, where it's revealed that he was also a robot called PCH-01, and is taken back to the club's old classroom as he falls into despair due to betraying them. The story ends on an apparition of Yuki promising to sort things out, with Pochi musing on who she really is.

* DarkerAndEdgier: Tattsun's Buddy Skill allows him to transform into the antihero, Electro Ranger Black. While in this form he is condescending and frequently insults people, friend and foe alike. He is also takes risks that he normally wouldn't take like firing a blast at Pielope that would've potentially killed two of his friends if Pielope didn't dodge it.

** Not the whole game, (and thank god for that) but the cliffhanger ending for the Apple Arcade version has Pochi having visions of the Go-Getters Club calling him out on being the traitor, and sending him into a state of despair while trapped in their old classroom. A vision of Yuki, however, promises to sort things out.
** In the full version of the game, "Ending 1" has the entire Go-Getters Club die in a helicopter crash right as they reach Tokyo's remains.

** During this confrontation, MAIK says that there isn’t a single member of the Go-Getters Club who hasn’t awoken to their Buddy Skill, despite Yuki apparently being skill-less. This foreshadows that Yuki wasn’t meant to have a Buddy Skill at all.

* MissingMom: Nyoro’s mother is never mentioned, despite her father having a role in the plot.

An official Manga was created on February 27 by Corocoro and currently has 4 chapters.

* WideEyesAndShrunkedIrises: Some sprites have characters do this when they are in a state of suprise or fear. Kansai and Chuko are the most notable ones.

* UnluckyChildhoodFriend: Chuko. It's becomes apparent that she had spent a lot of time hanging out with Kansai before the events of the games. And soon becomes even more apparent that Chuko has feelings for Kansai, but Kansai seems to be more interested in Yuki. This is ultimately {{Averted}} by the end of the game when Kansai admits that he has also had feelings for Chuko.

* ChekhovsGunman: A meta example with all of the Go-Getters Club (sans Reycho). It looks like they would all be background characters who would [[WeHardlyKnewYe die in the game of fate]], but after the BaitAndSwitch happens they all become very important.

* {{Jerkass}}: Aniki, especially during the DeadlyGame. He's not much better afterwards, being very cold and distant to the others and not entertaining the notion that Reycho, Pai, and Pochi are seeing his sister's ghost.

* DeadAllAlong: Subverted with Vanilla, who apparently died a year before the Go-Getters Club was kidnapped, but eventually turns out to be in a different sort of Heaven.

* SecondHourSuperpower: Reycho gets the ability to throw things very hard and far at the end of the death game, with the other club members (except Vanilla and Yuki) unlocking their own powers later on.

** A similar situation happens late in the game. [[spoiler:Pochi, after remembering he is an X-Type, asks the Otherworlder, aka, you the player, to help him. You then go to the typical decision selection screen giving you the choice of either helping Pochi or remaining silent, implying you are reluctant to help. Choosing the remain silent option cues Pochi asking why you aren't and continuing to beg for your help. You are then sent back to the selection for you to pick the other option.]]

** [[spoiler:After the group jokes about how Pochi hasn't been all that useful, Pochi sulks before facing Reycho and asking "Do people like me exist in your world...?" After playing through the game it becomes apparent that Pochi wasn't talking to Reycho but to the Otherworlder, aka, you the player.]]

'''Spoilers are unmarked. Read with caution!'''

** A similar situation happens late in the game. Pochi, after remembering he is an X-Type, asks the Otherworlder, aka, you the player to help him.]]

* TheNineties: The game's set in the time period, with the opening movie setting it in July of 1995. This neatly depicted through many of the character designs, many of which resemble trends with Japanese children of the time.

** A similar situation happenslate in the game. [[spoiler:Pochi, after remembering he is an X-Type, asks the Otherworlder, aka, you the playerto

* AffablyEvil: The Master kinda comes off as this. Being warm and welcoming to the kids when they arrive at the cult in Ehime. [[spoiler:Even when his sinister intentions of sacrificing the children are revealed, he still remains very cordial. In the credits of the true ending you can see Mowchan cooking food for him and the cultists, with him seeming to be quite happy, implying that he was either freed from brainwashing, or befriended the children after MAIK's defeat.]]

* AffablyEvil: The Master kinda comes off as this. Being warm and welcoming to the kids when they arrive at the cult in Ehime. Even when his sinister intentions of sacrificing the children are revealed, he still remains very cordial. In the credits of the true ending you can see Mowchan cooking food for him and the cultists, with him seeming to be quite happy, implying that he was either freed from brainwashing, or befriended the children after MAIK's defeat.

* ButThouMust: In the full game, when the Go-Getters Club is confronted by Pielope on a train, the only option you're initially allowed to take is to separate the train cars. The alternative, pressing the Emergency button, can't be selected until you've cleared the first route.

* AffablyEvil: The Master kinda comes off as this. Being warm and welcoming to the kids when they arrive at the cult in Ehime. [[spoiler:Even when his sinister intentions of sacrificing the children are revealed he still remains very cordial. In the credits of the true ending you can see, Mowchan cooking food for him and the cultists, with him seeming to be quite happy, implying that he was either freed from brainwashing, or befriended the children after MAIK's defeat.]]

** The entire premise itself, as the game is written by the same team infamous for creating ''very'' murderous and brutal DeadlyGame plots. This game appears to start the same way, [[spoiler:but in actuality there ''is'' no DeadlyGame and the game [[GenreShift shifts gears]] to a puzzle platformer]].
* ButThouMust: In the full game, when the Go-Getter Club [[spoiler:is confronted by Pielope on a train]], the only option you're allowed to take is [[spoiler:to separate the train cars]]. The alternative, [[spoiler:pressing the Emergency button]], can't be selected [[spoiler:until the first route ends grimly and you unlock stage select]].
* ButtMonkey: Both Pielope and the Master are at the expense of a lot of comedic moments in serious scenes, from simply being ignored to straight up being made fun of by the 12 children.
* {{Cliffhanger}}: The Apple Arcade version originally ended on a cliffhanger, until the complete version of the game was released in 2021. [[spoiler:It's revealed that Reycho was a robot being remote-controlled by Pochi, and outing him as a MAIK mole when he refuses to fess up, causing him to run away. After making it back home, everyone then discovers that Tokyo has been reduced to ash, and when MAIK forces show up to attack them, Pochi comes back to save them, where it's revealed that he was also a robot called PCH-01, and is taken back to the club's old classroom as he falls into despair due to betraying them. The story ends on an apparition of Yuki promising to sort things out, with Pochi musing on who she really is.]]
* ChekhovsGunman: A meta example with all of the Go Getters Club (sans Reycho). It looks like they would all be background characters who would [[WeHardlyKnewYe die in the game of fate]] but [[spoiler: after the BaitAndSwitch happens they all become very important]]
* DeadlyGame: A variant is played as the game's prologue. The characters all have to complete a Task, and the first one to do so gets a Magic Key that opens the only exit. [[spoiler:Actually, the Mastermind set it all up, and the kids are just fine.]]

** During the DeadlyGame, it is possible to fail Reycho's task. [[UnwinnableByInsanity It's near impossible to do so by playing normally]], as you need to [[spoiler: wait 50 minutes in real time in a game where dialogue does not advance the timer]]. But if you do do so, then [[NonStandardGameOver a unique scene with Pielope plays]]. Additionally, out of the tasks that need to be done within a time limit, Reycho is given the least time to do so, preventing any other character from completing their task before the aforementioned scene appears.

** Not the whole game, (and thank god for that) but the cliffhanger ending for the Apple Arcade version has [[spoiler:Pochi having visions of the Go-Getters Club calling him out on being the traitor, and sending him into a state of despair while trapped in their old classroom. A vision of Yuki, however, promises to sort things out.]]
** In the full version of the game, "Ending 1" has [[spoiler:the entire Go-Getters Club die in a helicopter crash right as they reach Tokyo's remains]].
* ExactWords: [[spoiler:"Vanilla has gone to Heaven"]] turns out to mean that [[spoiler:her (still living) body is being held at a secret research facility codenamed Heaven]].

** During the DeadlyGame, Reycho has Vanilla's task on his bracelet, which was to "Eat a Marshmallow". Unlike everyone else's task it doesn't relate to any of the other Club members nor does it have anything to do with the Amusement Park environment. It's also potentially straight-up impossible since there's nowhere to even ''get'' a marshmallow. [[spoiler:This foreshadows that Vanilla is the odd one out/a ghost, because her being unable to complete her task guarantees at least a living member of the club can win. It also foreshadows that she's the Mastermind, because anyone else whose task becomes impossible is sludged immediately.]]
** Whenever Reycho is shown talking to someone or is being directly addressed, [[spoiler:Pochi can be seen playing on his handheld game, hinting at the fact that he's controlling Reycho]].
** [[spoiler:Vanilla]] is the only Club member aside from Reycho to [[spoiler:not get captured at the end of the DeadlyGame, despite the fact that he already completed his task and her own task was likely impossible to begin with]].
** Aside from Reycho, Pai and Pochi are the only people that [[spoiler:acknowledge Vanilla's presence. Especially egregious during the DeadlyGame where Reycho, Vanilla, and Aniki were at one point the only ones left standing with the former and latter being the only ones Pielope acknowledges]].
** When the gang speak with [[spoiler:MAIK]] during the route towards the true ending, whenever a cut-in of everyone's shocked reactions appear, [[spoiler:Yuki's]] expression is strangely more reserved and unsurprised, foreshadowing the fact that [[spoiler:she's one of MAIK's subpersonalities and knows more than she lets on.]]
** During this confrontation, [[spoiler:MAIK]] says that there isn’t a single member of the Go-Getters Club who hasn’t awoken to their Buddy Skill, completely ignoring [[spoiler:Yuki,]] who hadn’t awoken to hers yet. This foreshadows that [[spoiler:Yuki wasn’t meant to have a Buddy Skill at all.]]
* GenreShift: [[spoiler:The death game is cancelled early on, and stages after that mainly take a platforming and puzzle approach.]]
* HarmfulToMinors: The game involves at least one dead child. [[spoiler:Subverted otherwise, where all the kids are alive after the DeadlyGame. And ultimately averted when said dead child turns out to be alive, and all 12 of the club survive to the end.]]
* HeelFaceRevolvingDoor: [[spoiler:Pielope. At the start, she seems to be the villain. After it's revealed that the DeadlyGame was harmless, it seems she was GoodAllAlong.. except by then, she's already been taken over by MAIK, and is genuinely trying to hurt the kids. With the end with her being repaired by Yuki however, it's likely it's permament and she'll become a good person-erm, bot.]]
* HeroicMime: Reycho, even in dialogues or when stages focus on other kids. [[spoiler:This is due to their status as a robot. This is averted in the true ending of the game when Reycho speaks after becoming self aware.]]
* {{Jerkass}}: Aniki, especially during the DeadlyGame. He's not much better afterwards, being very cold and distant to the others. [[spoiler: Justified in that he is still grieving over his dead little sister. He won't even entertain the notion that Reycho, Pai, and Pochi are seeing Vanilla's ghost.]]
* LateArrivalSpoiler: The February 17th Nintendo Direct trailer for the game casually reveals that [[spoiler:the DeadlyGame is called off suddenly and [[GenreShift the game becomes a puzzle platformer]]]]. Of course, the ''context'' behind the spoiler itself is never actually mentioned in the trailer.
* LighterAndSofter: The 'Game of Fate' the children are forced to play is far less dangerous than to be expected from the creators' [[Creator/TooKyoGames other works]]. The tasks the children are forced to complete are simple and not very threatening, such as riding a Ferris wheel car, going down a slide, or giving a male student a hug. The penalty for losing isn't immediate death, but being captured and placed inside a robot that is said to slowly digest them. [[spoiler:This all foreshadows that the Game of Fate isn't actually trying to get them killed at all - the aim is for them to think their lives are in danger to remove the brainwashing MAIK placed on them.]]
* LaserGuidedAmnesia: [[spoiler:Pai forgets who the mastermind is before she can reveal it to the others, as a result of almost getting squashed. This was completely unplanned by, but fortunate for, said mastermind.]]

* MissingMom: Nyoro’s Mother is never mentioned.
* MultipleEndings: There are two endings. [[spoiler: The second ending can only be accessed after getting the first Bad Ending, with the implication Reycho gained the knowledge of the timeline after experiencing it.]]

* PartingWordsRegret: [[spoiler:The last thing Aniki says to Vanilla was to go get marshmallows herself after she threw a fit over there not being marshmallows at the barbecue before Vanilla gets hit by the Truck. Aniki was really devastated about it, therefore this leads to him [[CynicismCatalyst distancing himself from others.]]]]

* SecondHourSuperpower: [[spoiler:Reycho gets the ability to throw things very hard and far at the end of the death game, with the other Go-Getter Club members unlocking their own powers later on.]]
* StoryBranching: At points in the story, the group splits up, and Reycho can choose which group to join. They will all eventually meet up at the same location, taking different paths. [[spoiler:After reaching "Ending 1", you unlock the ability to go back to previous stages and take the other path.]]
* TheReasonYouSuckSpeech: Chuko gives a scathing one to Kansai if the group goes to Osaka, which Kansai was pushing for, the reason being that Kansai is not a very good group leader, having been making reckless and selfish decisions that affects the rest of the group. [[spoiler:Kansai initially denies it, even kicking Chuko out of the group temporarily but later acknowledges it to be true, giving his leader badge to Reycho, seeing him to be a better leader.]]
* TheThemeParkVersion: [[spoiler:Of a DeadlyGame. Especially since it [[LampshadeHanging literally takes place in a theme park.]]]]
* TrailersAlwaysSpoil: The ''WebVideo/NintendoDirect'' trailer for the game reveals the BaitAndSwitch {{cliffhanger}} from the original version, where [[spoiler:the "death game" is cancelled and the cast now finds themselves trekking across the country to get back to Tokyo]].

* WhamEpisode: The first stage, [[spoiler:and the death game itself]], ends with [[spoiler:Pai kicking Pielope to bits, then announcing the game is cancelled, a message given to her by the mastermind]].

-->[-(option A)-] '''Chuko:''' "[[spoiler:Vanilla died two years ago...]]"\\
[-(option B)-] '''Chuko:''' "[[spoiler:Because last year, Vanilla... She died...]]"
* WhereItAllBegan: [[spoiler: The final few stages bring the Go-Getters Club back to the underwater amusement park from the very beginning of the game as that's where the Heaven facility housing both MAIK and Vanilla is located.]]

* MissingMom: Nyoro’s Mom is never mentioned.

* HeroicMime: Reycho, even in dialogues or when stages focus on other kids. [[spoiler:This is due to their status as a robot.]]