Zero Escape: The Nonary Games

 PlayStation 4
Zero Escape: The Nonary Games Image
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87

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 151 Ratings

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  • Summary: Two Nonary Games, two sets of nine unwilling participants kidnapped to an unfamiliar location. One set trapped on a sinking boat with nine hours to escape, the other locked in a facility and forced to either trust or betray each other. If they break the rules or fail to escape… they’ll die.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. PlayStation Universe
    Apr 2, 2017
    90
    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.
  2. Digitally Downloaded
    Mar 28, 2017
    90
    I like games that are able to explore serious ideas in an entertaining and subtle fashion. If you weren’t aware of the academic weight that drives the two titles in The Nonary Games, you wouldn’t be missing anything. It’s not essential to understand how game theory works, how it explains human behaviour, and why that’s all relevant to the deeper themes that 999 and Virtue’s Last Reward explore. If you want to take it, simply, as a cracking series of visual novels with sublime puzzle design, you can do that. But, 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.
  3. ZTGD
    Mar 29, 2017
    90
    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.
  4. PlayStation LifeStyle
    Mar 23, 2017
    85
    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.
  5. GameCritics
    Jun 5, 2017
    85
    This is a fantastic presentation of two top-notch virtual novels. My only major quibble is that player is never made aware of how important it is to play the two games in the correct order. It’s not enough to see a couple of endings in 999 – if players don’t make it to the true ending before moving on to VLR, it will be casually spoiled in the most off-handed way imaginable. Beyond that, very little goes wrong here, and I’d say that this one of the best visual novel experiences I’ve had.
  6. Multiplayer.it
    Mar 27, 2017
    85
    It's definitely a great collection, and a must have for visual novel and adventure aficionados. The lack of Zero Time Dilemma in the package, unfortunately, makes it hard for newcomers to understand the whole Uchikoshi epic, and is an unfortunate choice in an otherwise amazing return.
  7. Push Square
    Mar 27, 2017
    80
    For newcomers, Zero Escape: The Nonary Games is an essential purchase. You've got two excellent games that tell a wild and wonderful story that will stay with you for a very long time, and combine that with the engaging puzzles and you've got a recipe for a quality experience. For returning fans, it's a tougher sell: your purchase mostly balances on the enhancements of the PS4 edition, in which case we can only confidently recommend the package if you're looking to do a play though of the improved Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors.

See all 10 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 18
  3. Negative: 3 out of 18
  1. Darthtux
    Mar 29, 2017
    10
    To those who love mystery/puzzle games I think this is the main attraction for Zero Escape
    It's kinda like Danganronpa but it tells more of a    To those who love mystery/puzzle games I think this is the main attraction for Zero Escape
    It's kinda like Danganronpa but it tells more of a mature, and dark story with lots of plot twists :D

    This bundles two games from the three volumes and you're getting a really great deal out of this.
    There is VA for the two of them so you wont need to worry yourself reading too much of the VN

    The stories told from these two games are a masterpiece and you probably wont be forgetting it for a while.... The characters too each have their own unique side stories to them as well

    Look I'm probably not giving this game justice but all I want to say is if you want a REALLY good VN, this is a must buy for the reasons stated above; You wont regret it :D

    Get the third game if you liked these two! Hopefully there might be a bundle sale for all three in the future?    … Expand
  2. Diegochocho
    Jul 3, 2018
    10
    Una gran remasterización de los dos grandes juegos, 999 y VLR, para los que no lo jugaron comprenlo inmediatamente!!!
  4. AceAscendus
    Mar 22, 2020
    10
    Fun and entertaining games, but make sure to NEVER EVER play the third game "Zero Time Dilemma", it is extremely bad, so bad that it can ruinFun and entertaining games, but make sure to NEVER EVER play the third game "Zero Time Dilemma", it is extremely bad, so bad that it can ruin the memories and experience of these first two awesome games. Jut play Zero Escape: The Nonary Games and pretend the third game doesn't exist.… Expand
  5. ace1325
    Dec 12, 2017
    10
    i did really not care for V.novel games before i tried this one and damn i got me hooked on the genre
    after i beet the trilogy i moved over    i did really not care for V.novel games before i tried this one and damn i got me hooked on the genre
    after i beet the trilogy i moved over to danganronpa    … Expand
  6. Reed618
    Aug 5, 2020
    9
    I think 999 is a much stronger entry but I enjoyed both games.
    The escape rooms are a lot of fun with some great puzzles to break up the    I think 999 is a much stronger entry but I enjoyed both games.
    The escape rooms are a lot of fun with some great puzzles to break up the story moments. It's fun figuring out how to get all the endings and piecing together the narrative as well.

    I think vlr has too many escape rooms, too many endings and the story gets a little convoluted towards the end. However the characters in both games are excellent and the story is certainly worth experiencing.
    I also wish you could skip sections in vlr more easily. I think I watched sigma's abduction 9 times for example. I also much preferred the art style of 999. The 3d models in vlr were ugly. It's unfortunate when a nintendo ds game looks far superior to a nintendo 3ds games.

    That said this these are some of the most enjoyable visual novels around :).
    The only downside is that vlr sets things up for a final entry so I didn't come away feeling satisfied. Rather I'm just curious to know what happens next. Luckily the third game has already been released :).    … Expand
  7. K30twitch
    Jan 1, 2018
    9
    To find games like this on the PS4 is a bit of rarity, apart from some indie titles, visual novels or graphic adventures aren't easy to comeTo find games like this on the PS4 is a bit of rarity, apart from some indie titles, visual novels or graphic adventures aren't easy to come across.

    Whilst i have yet to play the 2nd game ( virtues last reward i think ) the first game has so far left a really good impression. despite it being voiced in Japanese.

    The style and energy from the start are instant hit, yes there are a few issues as you do have to drag the cursor from time to time and movement is not that fluid,the game is also very short if you are doing just one or 2 run-throughs.

    But where this game really excels are is in its replay ability and character design and creation, you are lumped in with 9 random people at the start, who are all vaguely connected to each other, as the game progresses and people start to drop like flies, the story develops suitable twists and turns to keep you edge. Its worth noting as well the story is also particularly good and with multiple endings working out who is the real killer can be leave you on a knife edge

    The game also has a story tree which you can reference, and you will begin to see multiple playthroughs will be required, this could be a chore but given each playthrough would need you to make different choices and often play different puzzles, repetition is kept at bay.

    The puzzles themselves can be a bit tough and slightly un-logical, but game has a gentle way of giving you hints so getting truly stuck on a puzzle that will make you want to bin the game is not really likely happen, oh btw a little hint, learn what a digital route is!

    On the whole its really hard not to recommend this, its a sharp port ( Nintendo DS original ) with nice added features and a decent soundtrack, and from the small part i have already played at the time of writing of the 2nd one, its without a doubt this game is going to leave me with a desire of wanting more.

    Brilliant!!!    … Expand
  8. yBazara
    Jun 17, 2021
    0
    Planejo jogar! este incrivel joguinho :D
    aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

See all 18 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

12
#12 Best PS4 Game of 2017
77
#77 Most Shared PS4 Game of 2017