Zero Escape: The Nonary Games Reviews
The Nonary Games is a compilation of two magnificent games.
Review in French | Read full review
The Nonary Games is a fantastic package that has two of the best adventure games of all time in a single package with worthy enhancements to 999 which remains one of my favourite games of all time.
Zero Escape: The Nonary Games is a perfect addition to any visual novel fan's collection. Both games are truly a work of art that combine mystery and horror to tell a story that is so gripping that it's almost impossible to put down. The only thing missing is the inclusion of the third entry of the series, Zero Time Dilemma.
Zero Escape: The Nonary Games stands as the definitive way to experience two of the best (and criminally underrated) visual novels to date. If you have yet to check out Uchikoshi's brilliant series, now is the time to do so.
I have a certain reverence for the Zero Escape series and hold it is certainly one of my favorite franchises. The narrative weaves a tale of corruption and deception, creating a deadly thriller where you want to find out the outcome. The Escape Rooms are great, especially VLR’s excellent rooms. This is a must play whether you do that on Vita or PS4. Once you have played both of these don’t forget it’s Zero Time Dilemma which I absolutely adored, giving it a perfect score. I’m not sure what’s next for Zero Escape, but I hope they continue with the series!
Smart without being overbearing, Zero Escape: The Nonary Games continues to set the bar for its genre.
Uchikoshi has insinuated, speaking like a lawyer, that the Telltale-style of the third Zero Escape game may not be his preferred method compared to the visual novels on display with The Nonary Games. It's not clear whether the door has truly closed on Zero Escape in the long run, but in the short term I implore you, if you value plot, character, and sound in videogames at all, to invest in The Nonary Games as soon as possible. It's a choice you won't regret, and were we in a death game ourselves, I'd bet my life on it.
Zero Escape: The Nonary Games is the best way for you to play two of the most frequently overlooked visual novels out there. The additions to Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors bring new life to a underrated gem, and Virtue’s Last Reward is still as close to perfect as it was when it was first released. If you want to experience two of the best stories from the last generation of handhelds, this is the best way to do so.
Developer Spike Chunsoft knocks it out of the park with The Nonary Games. The puzzles in both 999 and Virtue’s Last Reward are challenging and rewarding, but it’s their stories that really make you stop and think while trying to figure it all out.
In the end, The Nonary Games is a fantastic bundle with games that are both fun to play and very entertaining in the story department. Any fan of puzzles games and visual novels should pick this bundle up without a doubt. Even people looking for a great story should give this a look. It has the makings of a good "starter" visual novel. I can't suggest it enough. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go play Zero Time Dilemma.
Those who haven't yet experienced either 999 or VLR are in for a real treat. Both games were already excellent in their previous incarnations, but The Nonary Games bundles two definitive editions together in one simple, appealing package.
Zero Escape: The Nonary Games is an ideal game for those who value twisted stories and puzzles that force the brain to effort. On PlayStation 4 you will not find better this kind of production. The compilation is good enough that even gamers which are not fan of this genre should try it.
Review in Polish | Read full review
If you're like me and do take game narratives seriously, then these two are right up there with the best in the industry, and sticking them together into a single package makes them completely essential.
Zero Escape: The Nonary Games brings an unmissable package for any fan of good mystery stories, surprising from the first until the last minute, without losing the player's attention.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Zero Escape: The Nonary Games packs two great mystery visual novels that should provide hours of content with their alternative paths, mind bending puzzles and interesting cast of characters.
For me this game was a massively unexpected experience that I have a long bus journey to thank. I absolutely loved Virtues Last Reward and I would say that you should not judge this book by it's cover. Virtues Last Reward is an amazing puzzle game that has an incredible story that really sucked me in. I found it hard to put the Vita down as I really wanted to know what was going to happen next.
Even though the presentation didn’t get the upgrade it needed, there are options to make it much more appealing to the player. Enjoy some of the most satisfying stories in the Visual Novel genre.
Probably the most unique graphic novel in a videogame. Both games have a superb storytelling and challenging escape room puzzles. The game has multiple endings but manages to makes all of them useful and important thanks to it's amazing plot twist. Be careful, you might learn a thing or two while playing The Nonary Games.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Zero Escape: The Nonary Games fixes some major issues with 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors, but doesn’t go all the way in updating it for current consoles. While the remastered version isn’t perfect (and it had the impossible task of replicating how the original game used both screens of the DS), it’s still the best way to play 999 in 2017. Throw in a mostly unchanged port of the PlayStation Vita version of Virtue’s Last Reward, and the package contains two of the best stories in gaming, albeit one without the ending part of the trilogy. Kotaro Uchikoshi’s fantastic titles should be played by any fan of the medium, just be aware that the final chapter, Zero Time Dilemma, will have to be played elsewhere.
It's never been easier to play the Zero Escape titles than it is now, and for the money, any fan of heady narratives and fun puzzles is in for several hours of quality entertainment.