Zero Time Dilemma Reviews

Zero Time Dilemma is ranked in the 86th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
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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PS3Blog.net
the_nmac
100%
Jun 24, 2016

Zero Time Dilemma is a masterpiece and a must play game for Vita owners. I would love to see more from the series, but think this might be swansong on it, but we shall see. As stated earlier this game is awesome, and you should be playing it. People will be talking about this game for years to come. If this Zero Time Dilemma review hasn’t made it extremely clear, you should rush out to buy this game.

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May 6, 2017

A cinematic, rollercoaster ride of high drama with twists and turns at every step. Structural flaws and a story perhaps not on-par with previous outings aren't enough to stop Zero Time Dilemma from being an excellent interactive experience.

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9.5 / 10.0
Jun 23, 2016

Zero Time Dilemma is nothing short of a flawed masterpiece.

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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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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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9.5 / 10.0
Jul 11, 2016

Zero Time Dilemma is a more than fitting end to a series already known for its gripping narrative and compelling characters. Director/writer Kotaro Uchikoshi has outdone himself here and delivered, most assuredly, his magnum opus. This is narrative risk-taking and some of the best storytelling available in the medium that manages to overcome its presentational flaws to offer a must-play experience.

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9.3 / 10.0
Jun 28, 2016

Aside from the uneven animations, my only other complaint comes from the memo feature. I found it far easier just to keep notes on a pad of paper than attempting to write with my fingertip. This is not the best use of touch controls between the memo and the sometimes finicky puzzle inputs, but it is hardly a deal breaker either. Because at the heart of everything here however, is the narrative. I really cannot say enough good things about how well-written the characters and the stories are. I never felt like there was too much exposition, and despite the tense scenarios moments of levity are found within as well. The characters feel fully fleshed out, the story captivated my interest in a way that only good books usually can.

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IGN
Top Critic
9.2 / 10.0
Jun 29, 2016

My time with Zero Time Dilemma was one of great pleasure and anguish, mainly because I knew I was saying goodbye to one of my favorite series. This final chapter brings the beloved Zero Escape trilogy to a gratifying end, featuring beautiful character moments, elaborate puzzles, and a mind-bending plot. Not many games will keep me glued to the screen like Zero Time Dilemma did, and despite its minor graphical flaws, it will remain a gem in the 3DS and Vita libraries.

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Jul 6, 2016

And that’s that. Zero Time Dilemma is an amazing game of equivalent overall caliber to its predecessors, and its ridiculous, complicated take on scientific theories and horror thrillers is a must-witness. Despite being quite accommodating newcomers, I recommend the deep dive into the previous entries first, if anything, to be a buffer for the science-fiction you’ve yet to imbibe. Regardless, you’ll get great, well-rounded characters and a memorable trip into one of gaming’s greatest works of fiction even if you’ll scream, “Oh, come on,” as often as “Holy shitsnacks!” That’s me being at my most objective.

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9 / 10.0
Jul 13, 2016

Zero Time Dilemma is a small masterpiece of storytelling and a strong warning about human nature. A truly, unmissable game.

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90 / 100
Jun 23, 2016

Zero Time Dilemma takes some bold strides to tell the series’ final chapters, but even when it falters, it’s never slow to catch back up and deliver. Through well-designed escape rooms, brilliant writing and narrative decisions, and a more relatable cast than ever, Zero Time Dilemma puts the most deserving and exceptional final touches on this excellent trilogy.

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Jul 12, 2016

Spike Chunsoft does it again, combining intuitive, puzzle-based gameplay with one of video gaming's best narratives in the wonderful Zero Time Dilemma.

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Drew Leachman
Top Critic
9 / 10.0
Aug 24, 2017

Zero Time Dilemma is a nice bow on top of the Zero Escape trilogy, and one that I think many will enjoy if they liked the previous games.

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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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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 28, 2016

Zero Time Dilemma is a masterpiece of storytelling.

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9 / 10.0
Jul 4, 2016

Zero Time Dilemma is a satisfying conclusion to the Zero Escape series, but I feel it’s missing a final challenge room to test my wits.

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9 / 10
Jun 23, 2016

Once you do open up the puzzle routes, Zero Time Dilemma becomes a well-blended avalanche of slick cinematics and brain-teasing escapes for the next 20 hours

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Digitally Downloaded
Mikhail M.
Top Critic
Jul 4, 2016

Zero Escape: Zero Time Dilemma is a game everyone absolutely must play. If you haven’t played the previous games in the series, drop everything and experience them. Even though the artistic direction is a misfire, ultimately you’re looking to a game like this for the narrative, and it absolutley delivers something intelligent and meaningful there.

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