The Zero Escape Series

I had the original Volume 1 Zero Escape game (999) for over a year before the sequel was announced and never really played more than an hour of it before I got occupied and forgot it. I recall seeing the score of the sequel (VLR) when GS first reviewed it and I initially thought it had nothing to do with 999. Plus the fact that I saw the Vita review, of which I don't own, and thought it was exclusive to it.

a few days later, I was shopping for old games on Amazon and 999 popped up along with VLR. That's when I realized it's a sequel and the series was actually highly acclaimed. I'm a huge fan of these novel-type games and immediately felt compelled to get into the series. Dusted off the old cart and, 5-6 days later, finished 999 with all the endings attained. I was blown away.

I immediately bought VLR soon after and began to play it. At first, the game seemed slow, boring, and not as gripping or related to 999. Kinda like the relationship between Chrono Trigger & Cross. After getting a Game Over ending, and being oblivious to the game's "Jump" feature, I left it aside for a couple weeks and then forced myself to finish it so that I can sell it. By the end of the final ending I attained I had basically turned into a fanboy. So much so that I have ordered the series' official Japanese art book. Never felt this captivated by a game series' plots, thinking about them days after I finish them, since atleast 7 years. Back when Phoenix Wright first arrived. Just unreal.

Who here shares my fandom? What do you think Volume 3's plot will tackle? Please note that the thread may contain story SPOILERS. And yeah, part 3 is coming. Confirmed on an issue of Nintendo Power. Chun Soft's bankruptcy isn't an issue.

Is the 3DS version still really buggy?OreoMilkshake

The sequel to Hotel Dusk is Last Window: The Secret of Cape West

Anyway 999 is such a outstanding gem. It really came out of the blue for me when it came out, and I got hooked. Went through it recently (Safe and True ending) and I still pretty satisfy of how it ended. I now waiting for Virtue's Last Reward to come in, even through I not too excited about the bugs that the 3DS version has apparently.

I just ordered 999 off of Amazon. I really enjoyed theresia despite it's flaws (which was also brough to America by Axys) so I have high hopes after reading so many glowing reviews.

I just ordered 999 off of Amazon. I really enjoyed theresia despite it's flaws (which was also brough to America by Axys) so I have high hopes after reading so many glowing reviews.

turtlethetaffer

Tried to get all the endings a couple of summers ago, got fed up solving the same puzzles over again, some playthroughs resulted in endings I had already seen. Either way the first playthrough was easily the best and the [spoiler] knife ending [/spoiler] shocked me (that's it?!). I wish you could just skip the puzzles after you have solved them once/twice.

Tried to get all the endings a couple of summers ago, got fed up solving the same puzzles over again, some playthroughs resulted in endings I had already seen. Either way the first playthrough was easily the best and the [spoiler] knife ending [/spoiler] shocked me (that's it?!). I wish you could just skip the puzzles after you have solved them once/twice.

Epak_

as for skipping puzzles, it wouldn't work in 999 because there is a lot of plot-critical stuff that happens during the puzzles (things that actually change endings and dialogues that change depending on choices).

[QUOTE="BrunoBRS"][QUOTE="Rod90"] Yes, I know about The Last Window, I'm actually playing it right now with a copy of a friend who imported it. That's why I said "a sequel for the 3DS". :PRod90

and of course you didn't like it as much as hotel dusk, you stopped early in the story. like i said, getting to an ending is no different than going through the first of many acts in a story. you didn't stop playing hotel dusk halfway through, did you?

what i suggest is getting a guide, getting all the "bad" endings, then going for the safe ending and then, finally, the true ending. counting your first playthrough, that should account for 20 or so hours. first playthrough go blind, then follow a guide.

the result is one of the best stories ever. not doing so results in a confusing, awkward story that explains nothing.

you can skim through repeated dialogue.

and of course you didn't like it as much as hotel dusk, you stopped early in the story. like i said, getting to an ending is no different than going through the first of many acts in a story. you didn't stop playing hotel dusk halfway through, did you?

what i suggest is getting a guide, getting all the "bad" endings, then going for the safe ending and then, finally, the true ending. counting your first playthrough, that should account for 20 or so hours. first playthrough go blind, then follow a guide.

the result is one of the best stories ever. not doing so results in a confusing, awkward story that explains nothing.

BrunoBRS

[QUOTE="turtlethetaffer"]

I just ordered 999 off of Amazon. I really enjoyed theresia despite it's flaws (which was also brough to America by Axys) so I have high hopes after reading so many glowing reviews.

BrunoBRS

Don't worry, I understand. chances are even if I didn't know that beating the game once isn't the "true" ending I'd replay it anyways to uncover it. I've gotten all the endings in Silent Hill Shattered Memories, so no worries.

[QUOTE="BrunoBRS"][QUOTE="turtlethetaffer"]

I just ordered 999 off of Amazon. I really enjoyed theresia despite it's flaws (which was also brough to America by Axys) so I have high hopes after reading so many glowing reviews.

turtlethetaffer

Don't worry, I understand. chances are even if I didn't know that beating the game once isn't the "true" ending I'd replay it anyways to uncover it. I've gotten all the endings in Silent Hill Shattered Memories, so no worries.

I got the submarine ending on my first time with 999. Got me pumped and motivated to get the rest. Used a guide from then on.

Basically, first time playing? Play it relying on your skill alone. Use a guide after your first ending. Done deal.

And with guide, I mean to see which paths you need to take for each ending. Not spoiling the puzzle solutions.

Is the 3DS version still really buggy?OreoMilkshake

Yes. It is driving me crazy. I thankfully have not gotten the bug that wipes your save but I've had it crash a few times during puzzle sequences and there was one mini-game that it crashed on me several times on just that alone. It is still a great game but the bugs are maddening.

Add another tally for users that enjoy novel style games :).

I'm still only on my first playthrough of 999, but I've made the point of not using a guide and to get whatever ending I do first. After that the story and puzzles shouldn't come as a surprise and I'll manipulate it for all endings (I think 999 has 6?). I bought Virtue's Last Reward the day it came out because I figured it would be harder to find over time, and can't wait to play it and get all the endings... all 20+:o.

Hotel Dusk is one of my all time favourites and have played through it probably 3-4 times now. I imported Last Window a little while back, but want to finish up the DS/3DS and PC games I'm playing first.

Trace Memory is just sitting there for now, but I'm told it is an underatted story driven game.

Add another tally for users that enjoy novel style games :).

I'm still only on my first playthrough of 999, but I've made the point of not using a guide and to get whatever ending I do first. After that the story and puzzles shouldn't come as a surprise and I'll manipulate it for all endings (I think 999 has 6?). I bought Virtue's Last Reward the day it came out because I figured it would be harder to find over time, and can't wait to play it and get all the endings... all 20+:o.

Hotel Dusk is one of my all time favourites and have played through it probably 3-4 times now. I imported Last Window a little while back, but want to finish up the DS/3DS and PC games I'm playing first.

Trace Memory is just sitting there for now, but I'm told it is an underatted story driven game.

HowlingLotus

Nice! *bro fist*

You're playing 999 the right way. Use a guide after the first ending for the right ending paths. Though don't spoil on yourself. I looked up which door to choose (on the guide) only when I was prompted to make a choice.

And about VLR's 20+ endings. Most of them are actually game overs with no conclusion. There are 9 actual endings and one epilogue ending once you check out the rest of the 20+ (game overs). Though I YouTube'd the epilogue after viewing all the 9.

I wish I had the resolve to replay story/novel games. Once I play it and finish it I can't go back to it. Last Window's tale is much more emotional and personal, IMO. You'll love it.

Trace Memory's story is great but it's short and not as twisting as Cing's titles after it. Did you know a sequel for Trace exists on the Wii in English for Europe? You HAVE to check it out after the DS game. Great stuff.

I'd say go through 999 at least two or three times before resorting to a guide, if not a few more than that. There's quite a lot to discover even w/o doing the secret mojo that gets you the true ending.

I'd say go through 999 at least two or three times before resorting to a guide, if not a few more than that. There's quite a lot to discover even w/o doing the secret mojo that gets you the true ending.

logicalfrank

it happened to be the order i went through, and looking back, it makes certain things "click" better, as well as making you wonder certain things that both the coffin and the safe ending might mislead you into thinking you have the answer.

and plus, the real treat of the game is reading the story, not your choices affecting the plot (which it doesn't, when you think about it). i don't think there's any harm in grabbing a spoiler-free ending guide after the first playthrough.

[QUOTE="logicalfrank"]

I'd say go through 999 at least two or three times before resorting to a guide, if not a few more than that. There's quite a lot to discover even w/o doing the secret mojo that gets you the true ending.

BrunoBRS

it happened to be the order i went through, and looking back, it makes certain things "click" better, as well as making you wonder certain things that both the coffin and the safe ending might mislead you into thinking you have the answer.

and plus, the real treat of the game is reading the story, not your choices affecting the plot (which it doesn't, when you think about it). i don't think there's any harm in grabbing a spoiler-free ending guide after the first playthrough.

Huh, you might be right... I never got the coffin ending either though. I just thought it was fun thinking the first few times I went through that maybe, just maybe I'd gotten the correct path this time. If you go to a guide too soon, you miss out on that.

[QUOTE="BrunoBRS"]

[QUOTE="logicalfrank"]

I'd say go through 999 at least two or three times before resorting to a guide, if not a few more than that. There's quite a lot to discover even w/o doing the secret mojo that gets you the true ending.

logicalfrank

it happened to be the order i went through, and looking back, it makes certain things "click" better, as well as making you wonder certain things that both the coffin and the safe ending might mislead you into thinking you have the answer.

and plus, the real treat of the game is reading the story, not your choices affecting the plot (which it doesn't, when you think about it). i don't think there's any harm in grabbing a spoiler-free ending guide after the first playthrough.

Huh, you might be right... I never got the coffin ending either though. I just thought it was fun thinking the first few times I went through that maybe, just maybe I'd gotten the correct path this time. If you go to a guide too soon, you miss out on that.