Zero Escape: Zero Time Dilemma

 PlayStation Vita
User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 169 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 133 out of 169
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 169
  3. Negative: 17 out of 169
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  1. Nataraja
    May 19, 2017
    9
    This is an excellent but highly improbable story that brings to light a series of philosophical concepts surround perception and reality, Very well written and voice acted with a series of well designed puzzles. Getting to all of the endings, however, requires some bizarre combination of events that are not easy to create or choose.

    For those who enjoy puzzles and great narrative this    This is an excellent but highly improbable story that brings to light a series of philosophical concepts surround perception and reality, Very well written and voice acted with a series of well designed puzzles. Getting to all of the endings, however, requires some bizarre combination of events that are not easy to create or choose.

    For those who enjoy puzzles and great narrative this is a must play game and is perfectly suited to the Vita.    … Expand
  2. GoombaJMR
    Sep 1, 2016
    9
    Zero Time Dilemma is simply an excellent final game to the Zero Escape Trilogy, though you absolutely must have at least completed VLR (2nd game) and know the details behind 999 to be able to fully appreciate the story and character motives for this game. I'll skip story details as it's very complex and intricate, but I can say that it's extremely good and fulfilling.

    The game revolves    Zero Time Dilemma is simply an excellent final game to the Zero Escape Trilogy, though you absolutely must have at least completed VLR (2nd game) and know the details behind 999 to be able to fully appreciate the story and character motives for this game. I'll skip story details as it's very complex and intricate, but I can say that it's extremely good and fulfilling.

    The game revolves around a novel section (or cinematics in this game), puzzle section, and decision game. The novel section is basically a good amount of cutscenes introducing a new room, discussing rooms after escaping, showing deaths, new rules, or introducing the decision game (and more, of course). The animations are stiff and the 3D models aren't very high quality and it certainly took time getting used to the poor overall animation, however the voice acting and music was excellent and the rooms were a blast to play through. With such a limited budget and the very low chance of releasing, I can let go some of these presentation issues Zero Time Dilemma has. I actually did end up liking some of the character models towards the end, like the interpretation of Junpei, Carlos, Q, and small details on Phi that we didn't notice from VLR.

    The room escaping segment is a small step down in difficulty from the previous two games in the series, but still has a few difficult puzzles for you to solve. There are also a few puzzles that were tedious as heck (control room wires, machine room, rec room... etc.), but there were also others that were great (transporter, library, monitors). Again, the music is excellent, with some of the tracks being remixes from VLR (library, blue bird, annihilation) and some being good originals (transporter, trash room, interminable dilemma). I managed to beat the game blindly without any guides for any single thing, and had little trouble with the puzzles (the wires in the control room took me an extra 20 minutes to figure out and the rec room was ridiculously tedious), and that's coming from someone who isn't exactly good at 'escape the room' puzzles.

    The game is 20-25 hours long, depending on your speed at solving puzzles, navigation of menus (and not being lost), and whether or not you skip cutscenes that you have already seen when exploring 'new paths'. I platinumed the game (PSV) in 20 hours and 4 minutes (20:04), and that included some thinking for puzzles and exploring for new paths to open up. The ending is great but a tiny bit rushed, and still leaves the possibility of a fourth game (what am I dreaming?!), so we'll see what happens in regards to that.

    Either way, Zero Time Dilemma is an excellent third and final addition to the Zero Escape series, and despite its poor animation and strange models, everything else is so positive that it pretty much covers out most of what may not have been able to be polished due to budgeting issues. Decision games are fun and intense (my favorite was the dialogue between different choices for 'Who Killed ____?'). Buy this game if you've played the other two in the series, or buy the other two and then play this game; you will not regret it.

    Gameplay: 8.5/10
    Story: 10/10
    Music: 9.5/10
    Presentation: 7/10
    Length: 8.5/10
    Overall: 9/10    … Expand
  3. Ogie
    Feb 2, 2017
    8
    There is no doubt that Zero Time Dilemma is currently one of the best games for PS VITA. Graphics are very good, it is quite a change compare to VLR, you have to adapt for this art style, but the art definitely looks good. Gameplay is very similar to VLR, finding way out, making a key choices, it is very well made and it works how it should work in the game of this kind. The story isThere is no doubt that Zero Time Dilemma is currently one of the best games for PS VITA. Graphics are very good, it is quite a change compare to VLR, you have to adapt for this art style, but the art definitely looks good. Gameplay is very similar to VLR, finding way out, making a key choices, it is very well made and it works how it should work in the game of this kind. The story is amazing.... once again.... it will keep you in the game.... and when you are done with the game you will say just one thing "I want more!" I enjoyed this game so much but of course there are even some minor issues which is why I cannot rate this game 10/10. My biggest issue is with hairs (mostly Akane's) going through body and overall graphic and animations issues. It is too bad that animanions are a bit clumsy. Even so the game evolved from just visual novel into full animated game which is nice step forward.

    Graphic - 7
    Gameplay - 8
    Lasting Appeal - 10
    Execution - 7

    Overall - 8    … Expand
  4. likevin96
    Dec 28, 2016
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Pros:
    - Puzzles are the best they have been
    - Satisfying conclusion to most major mysteries
    - Return of many beloved characters
    - Crazy endings and tangents
    - Wild plot twists that are fun if not the most logical

    Cons:
    - Too few puzzles, especially in the ending of the game
    - Stark omissions, most notably with Kyle
    - Akane and Junpei are near unrecognizable
    - The game looks absolutely awful in its animations and lip syncing
    - Terrible frame rate dips

    In the end, the visuals don't matter too much in a game like this compared to the story and the story is still a ton of fun to play through.

    True Score: 8.0    … Expand
  5. Anonime
    Jul 10, 2020
    9
    The third game in the trilogy. Although it is a little lower than its previous installments, it also manages to hook you and surprise you to the end. Maybe I was a little disappointed in its ending, maybe I was expecting more from it, and I felt it was somewhat open. Or perhaps, it is that I liked the saga so much that I expected more.

    I can only say that these three games must be played.
  6. Crimson80
    Sep 7, 2016
    10
    Excellent game, the puzzles are balanced just right, and the storyline is original and quite deep (you'll often find yourself looking up stuff on Google that the characters talk about, like the Sleeping Beauty paradox, for example). Animation isn't great, but this really doesn't matter at all in this type of game. If you want a mix between a story-driven game and a puzzle game, and youExcellent game, the puzzles are balanced just right, and the storyline is original and quite deep (you'll often find yourself looking up stuff on Google that the characters talk about, like the Sleeping Beauty paradox, for example). Animation isn't great, but this really doesn't matter at all in this type of game. If you want a mix between a story-driven game and a puzzle game, and you like Japanese sci-fi, then go for it. Excellent music too.… Expand
  7. xswigertx
    Jun 28, 2016
    10
    Honestly this game is a 10/10 i have been a fan of the series since 999. All i have to say is this game is amazing and i highly recommend it to anyone. The story, the puzzles, the despair inducing emotions it makes you go through. It is a great experience and the creator deserves nothing but praise for this masterpiece. I'm happy to be part of a fan base that pushed so hard to help thisHonestly this game is a 10/10 i have been a fan of the series since 999. All i have to say is this game is amazing and i highly recommend it to anyone. The story, the puzzles, the despair inducing emotions it makes you go through. It is a great experience and the creator deserves nothing but praise for this masterpiece. I'm happy to be part of a fan base that pushed so hard to help this man get his work out. Please support the team at zero escape by picking up this game!!… Expand
  8. Demando999
    Jun 28, 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 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!
  9. karco
    Oct 26, 2018
    9
    I am a fan of the series and zero time dilemma story wise and structure wise is brilliant ending of it. But I must say, that puzzles not as good as in previous parts of the series. Some of them are very annoying (rec room, I hate you) and they don't combined with a story as good as in 999 (sudoku is best example) or VLR (Q room).
    Whatever. I can recommend this game for people who want    I am a fan of the series and zero time dilemma story wise and structure wise is brilliant ending of it. But I must say, that puzzles not as good as in previous parts of the series. Some of them are very annoying (rec room, I hate you) and they don't combined with a story as good as in 999 (sudoku is best example) or VLR (Q room).
    Whatever. I can recommend this game for people who want enjoy good story (especially fans of the series) but not for people who want play good puzzle game. But as fan of good story driven games and as fan of the series I can"t rate ZTD lesser then 9/10.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Best PS Vita Game of 2016
1
#1 Most Discussed PS Vita Game of 2016
3
#3 Most Shared PS Vita Game of 2016

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
  1. Adventure Gamers
    Nov 30, 2016
    50
    Although several welcome elements return, some undesirable changes to the established formula and exasperating design choices make Zero Time Dilemma a lackluster send-off to a cult-favorite series.
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  2. Pelit (Finland)
    Oct 12, 2016
    93
    Time travel trilogy closes its last loops and leaves us wanting more. In a surprising move, visual novel style gives way for a more western The Walking Dead aesthetics. You should definitely be playing this game but remember, once you start, there is no escape. [Sept 2016]
  3. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    Sep 6, 2016
    80
    A fantastically outrageous conclusion to a remarkable story, albeit one that doesn't quote recapture the highs of Virtue's Last Reward. Don't even contemplate playing until you've finished VLR. [Sept 2016, p.104]
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