Zero Time Dilemma Reviews

Zero Time Dilemma is ranked in the 86th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
Unscored
Jun 29, 2016

If you have any intention of playing the other two games then I’d strongly suggest you do so before playing this, considering that four of the characters return from those titles and subtle spoilers abound in the opening hour. If not, then I’m not convinced the full overarching plot will make total sense, but you might be able to get on board. I’d have to finish it to say for sure, though.

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6.5 / 10.0
Jul 2, 2016

As a story, Zero Time Dilemma matches up to the ambition of its predecessors, with some missteps. As a game, it’s significantly less polished, with ideas and changes that nearly always step backward.

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Wait
Jun 27, 2016

The amount you enjoy Zero Time Dilemma rests solely on how much you enjoy watching cutscenes. Get over that, and it's awesome.

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ZTGD
Top Critic
9.5 / 10.0
Jun 23, 2016

Zero Time Dilemma is a triumph in storytelling and world building with some of the most complex and yet satisfying narrative ever to grace a videogame. Whether this is the final entry to the Zero Escape series or not, the developers can rest easy knowing that they’ve managed to craft one of the finest visual novel series of all time.

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5.7 / 10.0
Sep 8, 2022

Zero Time Dilemma is an adventure that constitutes the final ending to Zero Escape, a long-running saga that combines philosophical elements, science fiction and a series of plot twists that leave no one indifferent.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Aug 18, 2017

This closing chapter isn't perfect, and some low-quality textures can be distracting on PlayStation 4, but it does manage to put a bow on one of gaming's greatest stories.

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8 / 10
Jul 13, 2016

Zero Time Dilemma is nothing short of a world class conclusion to the Zero Escape trilogy, thanks to its excellent narrative, its interesting and very developed cast of characters and a marvelous audio environment. While not all of the trilogy's loose ends are brought together and its visual environment could certainly improve, this is a game that is compulsory for all the series' followers as well as to virtually anyone else.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

8 / 10
Aug 20, 2016

Zero Time Dilemma is an impressively polished, unsettling ride, but whether it's worth playing is entirely dependent on your previous experience with the series. If you've played and enjoyed the first two games in the trilogy you'll absolutely love Zero's last stand. You'll find the same twisting, twisted narrative, the same satisfyingly tricky puzzles, and plenty more of Uchikoshi's signature style, and watching the story's climax unfold after three games is a real rush. If you haven't played the first two games but you're interested in the series, this isn't the best place to start — to really enjoy it, you'll want to have both Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors (on DS and iOS) and Virtue's Last Reward (on 3DS and Vita) under your belt before jumping in here.However you arrive at Zero Time Dilemma, if you're into the series' mix of horror and Hegel you're in for a treat — and you may never look at a snail the same way again.

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Jul 14, 2016

Even when the narrative fails to drive the plot, the game’s well-designed room-escape puzzles pick up the slack.

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8.3 / 10.0
Jul 7, 2016

Despite its flaws, Zero Time Dilemma is one of the more compelling titles released this year. You will find few other games like it, both in quality and plain weirdness.

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9 / 10.0
Jun 28, 2016

Zero Time Dilemma is a masterpiece of storytelling.

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8.5 / 10.0
Jun 28, 2016

Zero Time Dilemma is an adventure full of disturbing and compelling twists and turns with gameplay make it interesting and inviting, even if you haven’t followed the series from the very beginning.

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4.5 / 5.0
Jun 27, 2016

Thankfully, we do live in the brightest timeline – the one where this lovely gem of a game does exist.

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9 / 10.0
Jun 25, 2016

As the final chapter of the Zero Escape trilogy, Zero Time Dilemma is a dramatic journey through the strengths and weaknesses of the human spirit, one that longtime fans and newcomers can both enjoy and appreciate.

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9.5 / 10.0
Jun 27, 2016

Zero Time Dilemma is an excellent follow-up and sequel/prequel, making great strides in widening the appeal of the game by overhauling the story progression with its inventive and effective “fragments systems,” while avoiding the pitfall of alienating the loyal fanbase that supported Dilemma‘s development. Despite its tricky position as an in between of two other well established titles, it neatly fills in the gaps and serves as a great lead in for Virtue’s Last Reward, which ended on a cliffhanger. Fans who have long-awaited the return of the series will not be disappointed in this swan’s song.

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Jun 23, 2016

Zero Time Dilemma wraps up the long-running Zero Escape series in style. Presentation issues aside, it's the masterpiece we've been waiting for, and the one that the fans deserve.

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7 / 10.0
Oct 6, 2017

Zero Time Dilemma is an amazing ending for the superb trilogy… although the price should be cut in half.

Review in Polish | Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Sep 1, 2017

Generally speaking, Zero Time Dilemma is a great game and a must-play for those that escaped 999 and VLR. Like many third acts in trilogies across all kinds of media, it's not as strong as the first or second act, but it's still solid and I recommend it.

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75%
Jul 16, 2016

Zero Time Dilemma is the weakest entry in the series but still worth a gander to find out how it all ends/begins/continues.

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7 / 10
Jun 25, 2016

While some of its flaws may leave some areas feeling half-baked, Zero Time Dilemma will be something that won't be leaving our minds anytime soon.

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