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. Tatsuhiko
    Nov 13, 2012
    10
    Obviously one of the best 3DS games out there. Words cannot even describe how great, but mind-boggling the story is. Finishing this game makes me want the sequel even more now.
  2. metroidisbest
    Nov 20, 2012
    10
    Easily one of the best games of the year. Virtue's Last Reward is one of the best stories ever told in video games. I clocked in just over 32 hr to complete everything the game has to offer. It is an incredible value.
  3. IGNsus
    Mar 25, 2014
    10
    Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward is the best visual novel/puzzle game I have ever played.

    VLR is actually the second of three planned games from Kōtarō Uchikoshi, following the critically acclaimed Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors. It's a wonderful blend of puzzle solving and visual novel that requires the player to play through different routes in order to proceed and get to the    Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward is the best visual novel/puzzle game I have ever played.

    VLR is actually the second of three planned games from Kōtarō Uchikoshi, following the critically acclaimed Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors. It's a wonderful blend of puzzle solving and visual novel that requires the player to play through different routes in order to proceed and get to the true ending.

    VLR's primary strength is in its writing. The plot unfolds gradually, with the characters' intentions unclear through the greater part of the game. The subtlety of the clues, red herrings, and revelations ensures that players will keep playing once they begin. Then there's the good music, exceptional Japanese voice acting (good English VAs), and practical interface. It's a very well-designed game with excellent production values.

    The only gripe I have with VLR is the art: Hand-drawn illustrations of 999 are replaced with bland 3D models. That said, 3D is definitely the trend, and I guess Spike Chunsoft wanted to jump on board the 3D gimmick mode on the 3DS.

    With that said, there's really no reason not to buy this game at $29.99. It's an absolute shame that the game has not been commercially successful. But then again, quality doesn't exactly sell nowadays.    … Expand
  4. heenie
    Oct 31, 2012
    10
    Great game. Very strategic. Characters and environments are fun. IGN has reviewed the 3DS version but it had not posted to metacritic!? Is metacritic's 3DS person on strike?!
  5. Alzero
    Jan 26, 2013
    10
    Where am I, who are these people, and what type of game am I in for??? These are the questions of all new gamers who come into the mysterious, deadly, and thrilling world of Zero Escape. This is no ordinary game, this is one of life and death, and it's a good one at that (watch the trailer or read the premise of Wikiedia or IGN and you'll be intrigued). This game relies heavily on itsWhere am I, who are these people, and what type of game am I in for??? These are the questions of all new gamers who come into the mysterious, deadly, and thrilling world of Zero Escape. This is no ordinary game, this is one of life and death, and it's a good one at that (watch the trailer or read the premise of Wikiedia or IGN and you'll be intrigued). This game relies heavily on its narrative with a very original and unique plot, interesting character interactions, and varying branches of choices to make (imagine Mass Effect, but much more consequential) with over 20 endings :) You'll be satisfied, enthralled, and wanting more, no worries there (you might lose some sleep too...) The other gameplay portion revolves around intuitive environmental puzzles that are fun and challenging to do (not too easy, nor too hard). The 3d visuals fit the 3ds perfectly, and the soundtrack is haunting, and the presentation convenient (there is even a log function for dialog).

    Overall, gamers looking for something truly unique, interesting, unpredictable, and incredibly compelling and off the beaten track, should give this game at least a hour or too (cause that's all it takes to suck you in lol). 10/10 If you think this score is too good, just play the game for yourselves and find out ;)    … Expand
  6. DeusExMachina7
    Feb 20, 2013
    10
    One of the most classically engaging stories ever invented. Despite how linear the story is in its splitting up of choices, it never feels like a chore going back and forth between them, because a desire to watch everything is there. A game that demands to be played. A warning though, as the 3DS version is bugged. Saving in the PEC room will likely corrupt your save, so steer clear ofOne of the most classically engaging stories ever invented. Despite how linear the story is in its splitting up of choices, it never feels like a chore going back and forth between them, because a desire to watch everything is there. A game that demands to be played. A warning though, as the 3DS version is bugged. Saving in the PEC room will likely corrupt your save, so steer clear of saving in that room.… Expand
  7. MrsDraenog
    Feb 22, 2013
    10
    I don't think I could love this game more if I tried. This game is the visual novel/puzzle sequel to the DS game '999: 9 Hours 9 Persons 9 Doors', and after loving the first game, this one completely surpassed my expectations. This one included increasing text speed and also being able to go to different points in the game, which were very frustrating in the original. This means you won'tI don't think I could love this game more if I tried. This game is the visual novel/puzzle sequel to the DS game '999: 9 Hours 9 Persons 9 Doors', and after loving the first game, this one completely surpassed my expectations. This one included increasing text speed and also being able to go to different points in the game, which were very frustrating in the original. This means you won't have to play a room twice if you don't want. It's heavily text based, but there are lots of good puzzles and escape the room type scenarios to enjoy. As far as the storyline goes, it's confusing at times, requires some thinking, but it's completely captivating. I enjoyed all the characters, and it managed to be funny and touching. There's only one save slot, but I can understand why, so it wasn't an issue for me at all. There's also a noted bug in the 3DS version where if you save in certain rooms the game becomes corrupted, this did not happen to me, as I followed advice to not save while in an active puzzle room. I totaled about 45 hours with the game and all paths completed. This is THE 3DS game for me.… Expand
  8. KLoWn
    May 19, 2013
    10
    A game that lives up to the standard it's predecessor 999 set. Anyone who loves a good mystery story and some puzzle solving should get this game immediately.

    Only bad thing about it is that long time VN fans will inevitably notice some similarities between this game and earlier titles like Ever17 and Remember11, but other than that it's a stellar experienc all the way through.
  9. AhmadAlsumain
    Mar 25, 2013
    10
    Tragedy, sadness, happiness and full of surprises this is what this game about. I love the game play, there is clever puzzles here and there, but the story is where the game shines.
  10. Cyberpunked
    Jul 12, 2013
    10
    Pros:
    - Excellent Story on all Counts
    - Wonderful Character Development
    - Well Thought Out Puzzles
    - Tons of Replay Value

    Cons:
    - None that I can think of
  11. Twilight_Drake
    Sep 10, 2013
    10
    Absolutely fantastic, and one of the best stories I've ever experienced in video games. I strongly recommend people to play this. Definitely worth it. Words cannot even describe how great and epic the story is; especially the ending. It was mind-blowing.
  12. SonicUltimate20
    Oct 7, 2013
    10
    This game was amazing, all the characters were amazing and recognisable, the story was outstanding and really brought you into the game, when I first got this, I played it non-stop, same as project X Zone, the 3d models were great, as well as the characters backstories.
    If I had to pick a flaw, I didn't like that there was no English voice acting in the European 3ds game, so if you live    This game was amazing, all the characters were amazing and recognisable, the story was outstanding and really brought you into the game, when I first got this, I played it non-stop, same as project X Zone, the 3d models were great, as well as the characters backstories.
    If I had to pick a flaw, I didn't like that there was no English voice acting in the European 3ds game, so if you live in England and buy the game of e-shop like I did, you're stuck with that, I just found it lazy,
    But beside from that one little flaw, the game was absolutely amazing    … Expand
  13. Luggs
    Oct 16, 2013
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I loved the game. The soundtrack was absolutely brilliant! As well, I (and many other fans of the game) absolutely love Luna's ending. Most players of the game must've cried while reading through the story. I also like the little gems where Sigma, the protagonist, has his moments, but also the foreshadowing moments that you don't notice until after the big twist. Chunsoft outdid themselves with the Zero Escape series.… Expand
  14. TheIrepan8
    Feb 16, 2014
    10
    What will you do, ally or betray? Ally or Betray? Those words still to this day give me goosebumps. Zero Escape: Virtues Last Reward is one hell of a game (or should I say visual novel). To those of you who don't get why this game is so damn good let me give you rough idea of what the story is like. Imagine the puzzles from the Professor Layton games and mix it with something like BattleWhat will you do, ally or betray? Ally or Betray? Those words still to this day give me goosebumps. Zero Escape: Virtues Last Reward is one hell of a game (or should I say visual novel). To those of you who don't get why this game is so damn good let me give you rough idea of what the story is like. Imagine the puzzles from the Professor Layton games and mix it with something like Battle Royale, add a whole lotta nines and throw in the classic game theory of the Prisoners Dilemma and you roughly get this game. This game aint for kids. The game is a hell of a ride through the roughly 30 hour story with more twists and turns than a theme park. This game has one amazing soundtrack, insanely clever puzzles, memorable characters and more knowledge than an encyclopedia. It makes me wonder why more people wont play games like this.… Expand
  15. TheKingdomKey
    Feb 11, 2014
    10
    This is by far the best game on the 3ds even succeeding Fire Emblem:Awakening and Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds. It combines some of the hardest puzzles I've ever solved with a phenomenal story that has many unexpecting turns. By the way to get the true ending you have to complete each characters ending. By uncovering the characters endings plot twists will unfold and they areThis is by far the best game on the 3ds even succeeding Fire Emblem:Awakening and Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds. It combines some of the hardest puzzles I've ever solved with a phenomenal story that has many unexpecting turns. By the way to get the true ending you have to complete each characters ending. By uncovering the characters endings plot twists will unfold and they are truly intense and can only be pulled together by the true ending. I did not play the first game "999", but VLR wrapped it up nicely and explained the contents of "999". It is one of my favorite games of all time and is a must play for anybody who owns a 3ds.… Expand
  16. TheUnholyBBQ
    Jun 15, 2014
    10
    This game is my favorite game of all time.

    This game is a "visual novel", a (mostly Japanese)niche game genre which is based on background music, character sprites(usually anime style), background CGs, minimal player interaction and choices to define which ending you get. Ironically, this game has more than the usual amount of gameplay visual novels have. It's the sequel to 9 Hours 9    This game is my favorite game of all time.

    This game is a "visual novel", a (mostly Japanese)niche game genre which is based on background music, character sprites(usually anime style), background CGs, minimal player interaction and choices to define which ending you get. Ironically, this game has more than the usual amount of gameplay visual novels have.

    It's the sequel to 9 Hours 9 Persons 9 Doors, a surprise hit for the DS. If you want to enjoy this game to the fullest extent, PLAY 999 FIRST. If you are playing on a 3DS, you have no excuse not to.

    The game starts off in an intriguing way, as you solve a not too hard puzzle after waking up in an elevator, find a stranger woman and get a death threat from an ornately dressed rabbit. And things simply pick up from there. The first choice you see is the choose one of three doors to go through and each opens a lot of new possibilities- later on, you play the AB Game- a game based on Prisoner's Dilemma and trusting your life with strangers. The twists play with your mind, there are sad, funny and exhilarating scenes, and every character develops a lot throughout the story. Puzzles do not really match up to its flawless story, but they fit the atmosphere and are quite challenging.

    I cannot recommend this game enough. If story in a video game is important to you and if you are not bound by a blood oath to never play a puzzle game, you have to play this game. Definitely worth getting a Vita or a 3DS for.    … Expand
  17. messier
    Jul 2, 2014
    10
    One week was all it took for this franchise to get me hooked. I would expect no less from IGN's Best 3DS/DS Story of 2012 and Best Story by RPGFan. It has even won the Handheld Game of the Year 2012 award by Gamespot. This game has earned my Gold Star of approval and quality and will sit among my other superstar titles like Zelda Link Between Worlds and Pokemon Y.

    Virtue's Last Reward    One week was all it took for this franchise to get me hooked. I would expect no less from IGN's Best 3DS/DS Story of 2012 and Best Story by RPGFan. It has even won the Handheld Game of the Year 2012 award by Gamespot. This game has earned my Gold Star of approval and quality and will sit among my other superstar titles like Zelda Link Between Worlds and Pokemon Y.

    Virtue's Last Reward is the sequel of 999 : Nine Hours, Nine Person, Nine Doors. The key concept is still the same. There's the novel part where you just read the story and make decisions (to ally or to betray?) and there's the escape part where you get locked in a room, collect stuffs, combine stuffs, solve puzzles, get password and get out of the room).

    What I really, really like about this horror adventure novel sci-fi mystery puzzle game is it has consistently provided a strong storyline that really blows your mind times infinite. The concept of this game is so ingenious that I have never thought a game could be played in this manner. I also have never thought that a game could be so deep yet fun at the same time. I mean, how could a game with mathematical equations, philosophy, history and science and puzzles, topics that make you sleep, be a critical success?

    Virtue's Last Reward is much more fast paced than it's prequel and that's a good thing. I find that there's a lot more text to go through (heck, you have to play it 20 over times to get all the endings) but each timeline you play always provide you with new clues and interesting facts. I like how 999 touches on topics like urban legends, Ganzfield experiment, Morphic Resonance. Virtue's Last Reward brings back that same concept that touches on, the foundation of this game, Prisoner's Dilemma, Theseus' Paradox and Schrodinger's Cat, just to name a few. Oh, and there was one concept about the Chinese Room experiment by John Searle that got me emotional and thinking a hell lot. The whole game is just like a thought experiment.
    The game brings back a few familiar faces and new casts that the game develops all their storyline and make you feel the pain when you choose to 'betray' them. There's a lot of drama in this game and some parts can be quite...emotional. They added human speech to the characters so that they actually feel like they have some sort of persona. There's a lot of text but they're not boring text; they are filled with mystery, humor, trivia and rabbit puns.

    10/10, a Masterpiece.
    Anyone with a 3DS/Vita should buy it. Correction; MUST buy it.    … Expand
  18. Overanalytical
    Aug 6, 2014
    10
    This is quite simply one of the best games I've played ever and that is only for the story I've bought 3 copies for my friends and I don't regret a second of it if your thinking of getting this game well I can tell you you're doing yourself a big favor by getting it I promise you to the moon and back you are not making a mistake
  19. TheJoseph
    Jun 16, 2016
    10
    Pros:
    - Amazing Story
    - Great Gameplay - Good Bad Graphics (this makes sense if you played it) - Complexity - Ability to blow your mind - Lovable and hatable characters - Has funny, sad, confusing, mysterious, scary, shocking moments Cons: - 3ds version has a game breaking glitch DON'T SAVE IN THE ESCAPE ROOMS - Has a few weird character animations - Annoying map you can't    Pros:
    - Amazing Story
    - Great Gameplay
    - Good Bad Graphics (this makes sense if you played it)
    - Complexity
    - Ability to blow your mind
    - Lovable and hatable characters
    - Has funny, sad, confusing, mysterious, scary, shocking moments

    Cons:
    - 3ds version has a game breaking glitch DON'T SAVE IN THE ESCAPE ROOMS
    - Has a few weird character animations
    - Annoying map you can't skip
    - Could've explained To Be Continued Better
    - Spelled "DUNNO" "DONNO" (Yeah, I ran out of things bad about this game    … Expand
  20. Leda21
    Jan 24, 2016
    10
    Virtues Last reward brings the puzzle genre with an outstanding background history, that makes you even more excited in finish the puzzle, to see what comes next in the history. It has a thriller history, with lots of plot twists and mysteries, that are revealed throughout the evolution of the game. The gameplay is simple, but the real challenge coming from the puzzles makes it extremelyVirtues Last reward brings the puzzle genre with an outstanding background history, that makes you even more excited in finish the puzzle, to see what comes next in the history. It has a thriller history, with lots of plot twists and mysteries, that are revealed throughout the evolution of the game. The gameplay is simple, but the real challenge coming from the puzzles makes it extremely fun.

    It is, though, a "history telling-puzzle" game. There are for each 30 minutes puzzle 1 hour cutscenes. The puzzles are really creative, as well as hard sometimes. The plot is amazing, the characters are charismatics, and the way the game "flows" is also extraordinary.

    Extraordinary history, awesome characters (that you must love...or hate) and challenging puzzles make Virtue's Last Reward a mandatory game in your library.    … Expand
  21. HashtagDeep
    Mar 7, 2020
    10
    [Expand for easier reading]

    Story: This is the best story I've ever been exposed to in any medium. I can hardly say anything without spoiling it, so if you haven't played it yet, you're already treading on thin ice. It's a science fiction that makes it very easy to suspend, borderline eliminate, your disbelief. It's a first person game wherein a quality of life feature is implemented    [Expand for easier reading]

    Story: This is the best story I've ever been exposed to in any medium. I can hardly say anything without spoiling it, so if you haven't played it yet, you're already treading on thin ice. It's a science fiction that makes it very easy to suspend, borderline eliminate, your disbelief. It's a first person game wherein a quality of life feature is implemented into the story, much like how Dark Souls incorporates re-spawning into the lore (imagine if a movie incorporated your pausing of it into its story). You'll hardly get over the revelation of one plot twist before falling deeper into another. I'll have to digress before I say too much.

    Game-play: As the setting of the game is something akin to a Saw movie (I realize all the negative implications that I have just made by drawing that parallel and they're all so wrong), you're expected to escape from rooms by solving puzzles. You'll quickly learn to pocket whatever item isn't nailed to the floor, then start making sense of what you can use to progress by holding one item at a time and interacting with your environment to progress. Sometimes items must be combined before they are usable. There are also a lot of logic questions, riddles, math problems, etc. My only gripe with the escape rooms is that the memo page doesn't include a keyboard to help you save space, nor does it allow for many pages.

    Presentation: For the kind of game this is, the character models are very pleasing to look at (best played on 3DS), unless you play the TV versions, then you're going to be disappointed after scrutinizing the models at higher resolutions. Besides the character models, everything else is just passable. Voice acting ranges from great to industry's best (you know them).

    Do yourself a favor and play this game. I promise you that when you finish the game, you'll fantasize about running it for the first time again, which you won't be able to do.    … Expand
  22. Diegochocho
    Jul 3, 2018
    10
    Se supero en todo al 999, pero les aplaudo por la gran historia narrativa, y creo que es de los pocos juegos que me dejo sin palabras al terminarlo.
  23. Pinkpansylove
    Aug 30, 2018
    10
    An unparalled and increible accomplishment in gaming. This is a story which benefits highly from the fact it is told through a video game. The soundtrack is incredible, and the puzzles are fun. I will not say much more, this is something that simply needs to be played without much knowledge.
  24. Kaizo_Aleks
    Mar 8, 2019
    10
    This game is my favourite game of all time and you should definitely play it. I don't know what else to say without getting to spoiler territory so just play it.
  25. Tremore
    Feb 7, 2020
    10
    The best game I have ever played.

    VLR truly is a masterpiece. It had me hooked from the demo to the after credits. The music is great, the story is amazing and the puzzles are fun and challenging. I honestly can't say anything bad about this game except its somewhat weird models but otherwise it is an expertly crafted game that I will cherish for the rest of my life. If you like science,    The best game I have ever played.

    VLR truly is a masterpiece. It had me hooked from the demo to the after credits. The music is great, the story is amazing and the puzzles are fun and challenging. I honestly can't say anything bad about this game except its somewhat weird models but otherwise it is an expertly crafted game that I will cherish for the rest of my life. If you like science, you will love this one    … Expand
  26. Rtheom
    Jun 28, 2013
    9
    In the same vein as Layton and Wright, this "game" has a great story that held my interest throughout. It's not necessary to play 999 before playing this, but it does add a lot. I'm really looking forward to the sequel and that's my only real beef. It very much played the "come back in a few years of the sequel" card, which always leaves a sour taste in my mouth. Otherwise, it was excellent.
  27. Darrisbob1
    Nov 4, 2012
    9
    After playing through five of the over twenty different endings, here is my review. "Virtue's Last Reward" is the second game in Zero Escape series (with the first game being "999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors"). If you haven't played that game, it is HIGHLY recommended that you go back and get the final ending to "999". Like the game before it, "VLR" uses a mixture of heavyAfter playing through five of the over twenty different endings, here is my review. "Virtue's Last Reward" is the second game in Zero Escape series (with the first game being "999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors"). If you haven't played that game, it is HIGHLY recommended that you go back and get the final ending to "999". Like the game before it, "VLR" uses a mixture of heavy character and story involvement, multiple paths that lead to various endings, and challenging and sometimes punishing puzzles. The move up to the 3DS does little to change the formula of "999" and instead looks to improve upon them. The game has tons of full-voiced dialog (in both English and Japanese) and many more endings than in the previous game. The new characters you interact with are a varied group, each with different backgrounds and secrets to be revealed. The best way to describe this type of game to a newcomer would be to call it a mixture of Visual Novel (ala School Days or Corpse Party) and Puzzle game (like the Professor Layton series). I don't want to give too much away story-wise, as it's best to go into this game not knowing too much about what is going to happen. People who have played "999" knows where it's going, but the added twists and turns along the way will keep you playing til the very end.… Expand
  28. Lanopo
    Jan 26, 2013
    9
    This game was made with a large amount of people with an adherent passion for story-telling and problem solving. This game is an equivalent to a lengthy novel and will quite possibly take up to 40-60 hours of your time, testing your morality, intelligence, and deductive reasoning the entire time. However the only one save 'feature' is a flaw and should be frowned upon, but disregarded.This game was made with a large amount of people with an adherent passion for story-telling and problem solving. This game is an equivalent to a lengthy novel and will quite possibly take up to 40-60 hours of your time, testing your morality, intelligence, and deductive reasoning the entire time. However the only one save 'feature' is a flaw and should be frowned upon, but disregarded. Play 999 first though since luckily for you the 3DS can play DS games.… Expand
  29. piford
    Sep 5, 2013
    9
    This game improves on many of the things 999 did. It is fully voice acted and it allows you to easily move between points in the story. However, the story and characterization aren't as good (still great) and it feels (while your playing through) like when you solve a puzzle it isn't as urgent or important or relevant as it was in 999 (after completing the game, it makes much more sense.)
  30. CannonBlaster
    Mar 30, 2014
    9
    This is hands down, one of the best games of the decade. If you like a good mystery, you will like VLR, but be prepared for a confusing ending and overly complicated puzzles.
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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

All reviews »
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?
    Read full review
  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.
    Read full review
  3. DarkStation
    Mar 6, 2013
    90
    It’s a near flawless narrative experience wrapped in a bog-standard but necessary adventure game.
    Read full review
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