Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward

 3DS
User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 292 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 251 out of 292
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 292
  3. Negative: 25 out of 292
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  1. duckypwns
    Feb 2, 2013
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Good game, but again, like 999, this game still has some issues with the way the game is structured. The game assumes that you want to be a good guy, and also, despite your character's ability to access alternate timelines, you are completely powerless compared to the other characters. If tiny, weak little Clover gets 9 BP, she can run for the 9 door and nobody will stop her. But if YOU run for the 9 door after getting 9 BP, despite that your character could have foreseen it in an alternate timeline and deliberately avoided it, you will be stopped. The game also acts like you're a horrible person if you choose "betray"; they start treating you like you're a sociopath or a murderer, even if it was only the more logical decision for the group. This is usually followed up by a game over. Basically, this is my hugest problem with both 999 and VLR The moral system is one of those "save 1,000 kittens, or become a mass murderer, nothing in between" kind of deals. Other characters, like Phi and K get to be rational yet not necessarily evil, so why can't I? Story based games where all you do is scroll through text (and solve puzzles) should be the best at giving players a wide array of options, but VLR is still pretty limited as far as that goes. One thing they DID do to improve the game's structure was that they added the "flow" option, where you basically don't have to replay the whole game over and over to get alternate endings like we did in 999. In my opinion, the puzzles are also much better than in 999. I would say an average adult could probably solve every single puzzle in the game without having to look anything up, yet they still provide a solid challenge. Some rooms have taken me over 30 minutes to solve. And the story, just like in 999, is still very good as well. Once Aksys opens up the player's choices a little bit more, and stops treating logical players like they're evil, I think they will have the formula perfected.… Expand
  2. wesker2012
    Apr 4, 2013
    6
    Virtues last reward is an overall improvement over the original with an expanded and in more in depth universe. The puzzles are better this time around and the game also adds a much needed 'flow' mechanic which allows you to skip through previous read texts and jump from one narrative path to another allowing you to skip puzzles already completed. The plot like the first keeps youVirtues last reward is an overall improvement over the original with an expanded and in more in depth universe. The puzzles are better this time around and the game also adds a much needed 'flow' mechanic which allows you to skip through previous read texts and jump from one narrative path to another allowing you to skip puzzles already completed. The plot like the first keeps you guessing and intrigued at every turn but the story's branching narratives also become a grind even though its also one of the games greatest features. Having to explore all of the branching paths to fully understand the story becomes exhausting especially since certain events and sequences have to be watched over again and again. Also, having to watch your character move as a dot going through the map is extremely tiring having seen it for the umpteenth time. While the game lasts you about 30-40 hours of playtime, the games story doesn't seem worth the time it takes to go through it. Ultimately the story just doesn't give you that satisfaction you were waiting for when given all the answers. Sure the game logically explains everything....but it seems more like everything is conveniently explained through science fiction and fantasy elements rather than logic based in reality. This ultimately was a disappointment for me as I was waiting to be mind blown by revelations grounded in reality where it was actually possible to put the story's revelations together myself. Instead there would be no way to figure out what really happened unless the game told you. So, ultimately, the plot and narrative plays out less like a mystery grounded in reality and more like just a far fetched sci fi story.… Expand
  3. hope1
    Nov 6, 2012
    7
    I want to give this game a higher score and it is overall a good game, but I will just summarize the good and bad points about this game:
    + Better graphics
    + Better gameplay mechanics through puzzles and convenient playback (I really like the puzzles in this one) + Interesting continuation of the story - Somewhat the interface is cumbersome making the game itself buggy - The    I want to give this game a higher score and it is overall a good game, but I will just summarize the good and bad points about this game:
    + Better graphics
    + Better gameplay mechanics through puzzles and convenient playback (I really like the puzzles in this one)
    + Interesting continuation of the story

    - Somewhat the interface is cumbersome making the game itself buggy
    - The character design and concept really lame compared to the first game, not really interesting
    - The game story though interesting is less intense and toned down for maybe a younger audeince, I don't why. I used to love the first game having a lot of shocking sequences. Basically game is great with really good puzzles but the story and its intensity is toned down which ruins the gaming experience a bit.    … Expand
  4. MacRoboV
    Dec 9, 2012
    6
    Virtue's last reward is a sequel of sorts to the 2010 Nintendo DS game,
  5. bancandrei
    May 15, 2020
    7
    Get ready for a roller coaster of a story. It may be convoluted, but in this case it is not a criticism, it is exactly what it was going for and it succeeded marvelously. It is always welcome to see games with ambition, and few have ambition like this one. I would have enjoyed a faster pace though
  6. GVB
    Dec 13, 2022
    7
    Not so good as 999. Although the puzzles are way better (and harder!!), the story tries too much to copy the twists and turns of 999, but at the end everything feels a bit messy.

Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Best 3DS Game of 2012
6
#6 Most Discussed 3DS Game of 2012
1
#1 Most Shared 3DS Game of 2012

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
88

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Eurogamer Italy
    Apr 12, 2013
    90
    If written words don't scare you, Virtue's Last Reward is one of the best interactive books to date. Chunsoft's game mixes a great narrative with the hardest moral choices you can find in a game. Will you be a traitor or a betrayed?
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  2. 4P.de
    Mar 14, 2013
    88
    If you want a suspenseful crime story with sci-fi flair, dramatic conflicts and puzzles that are as varied as they are challenging, look no further. This is a grand adventure.
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  3. DarkStation
    Mar 6, 2013
    90
    It’s a near flawless narrative experience wrapped in a bog-standard but necessary adventure game.
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