Zero Escape: Zero Time Dilemma

 PC
User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 107 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 88 out of 107
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 107
  3. Negative: 14 out of 107

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  1. SrPepe
    Nov 13, 2018
    8
    Un juego excelente con una brillante historia al igual que los anteriores, broche de oro para terminar una gran saga, con personajes entrañables e historias que atrapan y meten mucho al jugador.
  2. CowInJapanese
    Jun 26, 2019
    8
    While I'd love to give this game a 10, since it's my favourite franchise, it has its flaws, mainly in the way this installment's flowchart works. The fragment mechanic isn't a deal-breaker and work well with the story, but it's unintuitive a ultimately confusing at some point. I was legit stuck because no new fragments popped up and it was unclear which fragment I had to return to toWhile I'd love to give this game a 10, since it's my favourite franchise, it has its flaws, mainly in the way this installment's flowchart works. The fragment mechanic isn't a deal-breaker and work well with the story, but it's unintuitive a ultimately confusing at some point. I was legit stuck because no new fragments popped up and it was unclear which fragment I had to return to to continue. Passwords as well, are pretty quick to miss and one of them (necessary for a major ending) is literally told ONCE.

    Also, the lack of Dual-shock 4 support is just laughable. I played the Nonary games collection before with one, so why the hell can't I use one for the sequel?

    Overall, good game. Puzzles were interesting, albeit sometimes lackluster and unclear. (Some puzzles were repeated over and over) And if you can figure out the story being told, it's pretty great.

    Overall, the best puzzle is the story in these games and this one is the best puzzle so far.    … Expand
  3. subspace87
    May 10, 2023
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This was a phenomenal ending to this beloved trilogy. I absolutely loved this game so much. The plot twists, character development, storytelling, and just everything was so amazing. Dare I say this one was even more innovative and clever than the two that came before it. The new art style and cutscene deliverance was also very palatable and not at all jarring for me. I got used to it very quickly and actually prefer it to the original art styles in the past two games. The models looked really good and conveyed expressions amazingly while still staying in a somewhat "anime" style. I really enjoyed this game for what it was and recommend it to anyone who wants to experience an exciting and thrilling mystery. It's a must play for sure!… Expand
  4. Sofirin
    Jun 19, 2022
    9
    A pretty good conclusion to the Zero Escape story. Great music and writing, and the escape sections were pretty fun. Only downside is the animations, like they had a $10 budget for that. But overall worth it.
  5. Darkzephr
    Jul 2, 2016
    9
    This is a great game, following a fantastic series. However, I can't in good conscious give it a 10/10. The voice acting is sub-par for a few characters. the animations look awful, there's insane clipping issues in all of the cutscenes, the textures are wildly inconsistent and all low resolution, and it doesn't have PC button prompts.

    With all that, it sounds like it doesn't deserve a 9    This is a great game, following a fantastic series. However, I can't in good conscious give it a 10/10. The voice acting is sub-par for a few characters. the animations look awful, there's insane clipping issues in all of the cutscenes, the textures are wildly inconsistent and all low resolution, and it doesn't have PC button prompts.

    With all that, it sounds like it doesn't deserve a 9 right? The story is just that good. Despite it's countless technical flaws, this game will compel you to keep playing like no other. It's a story that can only be told in the format of a game, and it works, so DAMN well, that it just leaves you with your adrenaline rushing.

    I can forgive all of the faults of this game, and I understand that the circumstances it was made on are the reason for the technical quality. If you are considering this game, I highly recommend it. As others have said, play 999 and VLR first though. Story summaries probably wont cut it.    … Expand
  6. Letiste-Gaming
    Jul 28, 2016
    9
    Estamos ante el título más completo de la saga, y un broche de oro para los fans.

    Una aventura que pasa del humor al terror en segundos, sin cortarse un pelo. Con una trama interesante, unos personajes carismáticos y misteriosos. Unos puzzles originales y una banda sonora perfecta. Es de agradecer que la compañía pese al escaso presupuesto, haya escuchado a los fans y haya conseguido    Estamos ante el título más completo de la saga, y un broche de oro para los fans.

    Una aventura que pasa del humor al terror en segundos, sin cortarse un pelo. Con una trama interesante, unos personajes carismáticos y misteriosos. Unos puzzles originales y una banda sonora perfecta.

    Es de agradecer que la compañía pese al escaso presupuesto, haya escuchado a los fans y haya conseguido cerrar su trilogía, ofreciéndonos una de las mejores y más misteriosas aventuras de la década.    … Expand
  7. Demando999
    Jun 30, 2016
    10
    Zero Time Dilemma is amazing! it has one of the best stories ever and the puzzles are challenging and brilliant, characters and voice acting are really well done, if you appreciate great stories and puzzle solving, do yourself a favor and get this game, but make sure to play 999 and VLR to help you enjoy the game even more! 10/10 perfect masterpiece!
  8. Yaqzan
    Aug 17, 2016
    4
    If you're looking for the same level of storytelling quality from 999, or even VLR, then don't bother with this game. It's really disappointing if you compare it to those games, but as a standalone game, I guess it's alright. It has some interesting puzzles, but the story felt like it was forced and the writers had to fill in the gaps from the last 2 games but did it in maybe the worst wayIf you're looking for the same level of storytelling quality from 999, or even VLR, then don't bother with this game. It's really disappointing if you compare it to those games, but as a standalone game, I guess it's alright. It has some interesting puzzles, but the story felt like it was forced and the writers had to fill in the gaps from the last 2 games but did it in maybe the worst way possible.… Expand
  9. TheTG
    Mar 17, 2017
    0
    Absolute garbage, it is nothing like 999 and VLR, it does everything worse than those games, it is so bad, the story, the plot, the conversations, the presentations, the graphics, the music, this game is the worst "third game in a series" in the history of gaming. I am so glad it sold so little in japan and in the world compared to the first 2 games that it killed the Zero Escape seriesAbsolute garbage, it is nothing like 999 and VLR, it does everything worse than those games, it is so bad, the story, the plot, the conversations, the presentations, the graphics, the music, this game is the worst "third game in a series" in the history of gaming. I am so glad it sold so little in japan and in the world compared to the first 2 games that it killed the Zero Escape series for good. DO NOT BUY THIS GAME OR YOU WILL WASTE YOUR MONEY.… Expand
  10. AceAscendus
    Mar 22, 2020
    0
    Every decade, one might experience the rare phenomena that a game in a franchise comes out that is so disgustingly bad that it kills the franchise and ruins the memories of the previous games. I could type out all the flaws with this garbage game, but it would be a waste of time. All you need to know is that Zero Time Dilemma is one of the worst games ever made in the history of gaming.Every decade, one might experience the rare phenomena that a game in a franchise comes out that is so disgustingly bad that it kills the franchise and ruins the memories of the previous games. I could type out all the flaws with this garbage game, but it would be a waste of time. All you need to know is that Zero Time Dilemma is one of the worst games ever made in the history of gaming. Just play the first two game and pretend this game doesn't exist, that is the best way to enjoy this franchise if you are interested.… Expand
  11. amazingmold46
    Jan 21, 2021
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A complete an utter disappointment. Although the overall story is alright (besides the ending and some alien bull ****} its executed extremely poorly. Texture quality is awful, with voice acting and animations being comedic. Animations weren't good in the previous games either but this games change in presentation puts a greater emphases on it. As well, the decision to have events play out of order is completely pointless, only making the story more muddled and hard to follow. The end game twist is so bad as it involves the game obstructing information from the player which all the characters are aware of. The puzzles are fine I guess, although their are couple of standouts, such as when you have to decipher the symbols. I went into this game with pretty low expectations and it still managed to disappoint me. Hey though, at least its fun to laugh at.… Expand
  12. GregLobstery
    Jul 22, 2022
    5
    The puzzles and stuff are good like the previous two games but holy cow every thing else is terrible. The animation is hilariously bad, much much worse than VLR. The story is incredibly confusing and needlessly complicated. I dont really know how to feel about this game, I loved 999 and VLR but this game feels like its so bad that its good.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. CD-Action
    Oct 14, 2016
    80
    The story is disorganized, but if you bear with it, you will be rewarded with non-linearity that puts every Telltale’s game to shame. [10/2016, p.46]
  2. Games Master UK
    Sep 6, 2016
    83
    A tremendous - if slightly unwelcoming - conclusion to one of the smartest stories in videogames. [Sept 2016, p.77]
  3. Game World Navigator Magazine
    Aug 23, 2016
    80
    Characters have little idea about what’s going on; they may even end up looking for people they’ve killed themselves. The fact that narration is split into episodes that can be played in almost any order adds absurdity to the events. But eventually puzzle comes together and meaning of each scene becomes clear. [Issue#211, p.57]
See all critic reviews »