Game of the Month #39 (April 2018) - 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors

Junpei, a fairly normal college student finds himself involved in a deadly conspiracy that he couldn�t have possibly imagined. He awakes aboard an old passenger ferry, dazed and confused he stumbles around the room trying to reclaim his memories. First thing he noticed was a number roughly drawn on the cabin�s door� A bright red number 5. Junpei�s memory then returned and he remembered what happened right before becoming unconscious! A mysterious person with a gas mask crossed his mind. He remembered the haunting words he spoke, �I�m gonna make you play the game� the �Nonary Game�� the game of life or death�.

Really pumped to hear people's thoughts on this one. By far one of my favorite games of all time, Uchikoshi is an amazing storyteller.

This game is available to play on the DS for around $30: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003VR5PPY/

999: The Novel is on the iOS App Store for $5, same as the original but with all the escape rooms taken out, just the visual novel segments: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/999-the-novel/id741073964?mt=8

It's also available in Zero Escape: The Nonary Games on Steam, PS4, and Vita which includes 999 and it's sequel in the Zero Escape series: Virtue's Last Reward.
PS4 is around $23: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M35Z9VL/
Vita is around $40: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MDTQXWV/
Steam is $45: https://store.steampowered.com/app/477740/

Personally, I'll always highly recommend that this game be played on the DS. This game was made to be played on the DS, and you'll understand when you play it. The other options are there if you don't own a DS or want it for cheaper, but playing it on the DS will provide you with the best experience

Really pumped to hear people's thoughts on this one. By far one of my favorite games of all time, Uchikoshi is an amazing storyteller.

This game is available to play on the DS for around $30: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003VR5PPY/

999: The Novel is on the iOS App Store for $5, same as the original but with all the escape rooms taken out, just the visual novel segments: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/999-the-novel/id741073964?mt=8

It's also available in Zero Escape: The Nonary Games on Steam, PS4, and Vita which includes 999 and it's sequel in the Zero Escape series: Virtue's Last Reward.
PS4 is around $23: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M35Z9VL/
Vita is around $40: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MDTQXWV/
Steam is $45: https://store.steampowered.com/app/477740/

Personally, I'll always highly recommend that this game be played on the DS. This game was made to be played on the DS, and you'll understand when you play it. The other options are there if you don't own a DS or want it for cheaper, but playing it on the DS will provide you with the best experience

Two hours in and I can tell this was made with the dualscreen and the DS touch controls in mind, and I guess the other 2 games in the series have more or less the same scheme.
So far so good. I just got the key to the mars door after bouncing around the two rooms for a while. I'll probably continue playing later though, university calls.

I have already played this game through twice (on an emulator, and then on the DS when I was able to snag a copy) so I won't be participating this month...

...For those of you who are, though, you are in for a treat!

Just reached my first ending!
I'm dead, someone stabbed me in the back. Also how more fucked up can this get? No one had to die in the first place!

Just reached my first ending!
I'm dead, someone stabbed me in the back. Also how more fucked up can this get? No one had to die in the first place!

Oh it gets soooooo much more fucked up!

Can confirm this game gets realllly wild, I'm really happy there's an incentive for more people to play this.

In my honest opinion, this whole series is something that anyone who plays videogames should experience.

Oh it gets soooooo much more fucked up!

Welp, of course it gets even more fucked up!! Who needs sanity anyways?
Ok, now I'm free so I can go get some more endings!

Welp, of course it gets even more fucked up!! Who needs sanity anyways?
Ok, now I'm free so I can go get some more endings!

Feel free to launch out any theories you have as you play, I'd love to hear them!

Can confirm this game gets realllly wild, I'm really happy there's an incentive for more people to play this.

In my honest opinion, this whole series is something that anyone who plays videogames should experience.

I agree as far as 999 and the sequel, Virtue's Last Reward.

As for Zero Time Dilemma, I still have incredibly mixed feelings.

For everyone who liked 999, you might want to try out the Infinity series some time. It didn't have as much main-stream success, but, of the two series, it actually has the more impressive storyline. And honestly, the idea of being trapped in an underwater theme park is just sooooo damn cool.

Did I mention they're both WRITTEN BY THE SAME GUY?

Feel free to launch out any theories you have as you play, I'd love to hear them!

For instances I think the same person that stabbed me was the same that killed Snake. I think they also have 9's bracelet. As for why, I'm not entirely sure. I remembered having an Idea of who they might be, but that idea has long since forgotten. Also, I think Seven is either the ship's owner or has been in this game before, thus his current situation, and it would explain his knowledge of the place and it's history

For everyone who liked 999, you might want to try out the Infinity series some time. It didn't have as much main-stream success, but, of the two series, it actually has the more impressive storyline. And honestly, the idea of being trapped in an underwater theme park is just sooooo damn cool.

Did I mention they're both WRITTEN BY THE SAME GUY?

I might as well investigate about that series and try to get my hands on it then!!! I love well written stories of this kind!!

For instances I think the same person that stabbed me was the same that killed Snake. I think they also have 9's bracelet. As for why, I'm not entirely sure. I remembered having an Idea of who they might be, but that idea has long since forgotten. Also, I think Seven is either the ship's owner or has been in this game before, thus his current situation, and it would explain his knowledge of the place and it's history

Oooh interesting, of course I won't say anything to spoil it but that's a much better theory than I had when I was playing it

Oooh interesting, of course I won't say anything to spoil it but that's a much better theory than I had when I was playing it

Welp, dead again! This time by being chopped to death by an axe! I believe Ace was the one that stabbed me last time now, because how numbers work (and the next one would have been clover so 1+8+5+4= 18 -> 1+8 = 9). As for this ending, I noticed the remaining people plus Clover were able to open de 9 door, but since ace probably wanted to put his plan in motion, and Junpei was a stringless puppet because of shock, she just went beyond nuts and used the "back up" plan

Welp, dead again! This time by being chopped to death by an axe! I believe Ace was the one that stabbed me last time now, because how numbers work (and the next one would have been clover so 1+8+5+4= 18 -> 1+8 = 9). As for this ending, I noticed the remaining people plus Clover were able to open de 9 door, but since ace probably wanted to put his plan in motion, and Junpei was a stringless puppet because of shock, she just went beyond nuts and used the "back up" plan

EDIT: All is forgiven ;)

EDIT: All is forgiven ;)

I'm sooo sorry!!!!! I just fixed it

Also, I'm dead again. This time around, I got a lot more information, so I'm starting to piece things together! So I was on the right track with Seven, he has been in this ship before, and in a mission! Also, Lotus has twins, both were kidnapped 9 years ago for this fucked up experiment on mind control, one of them being Nona, and the other one didn't get to be named in this route. So I have this new theory: All this people are related to the incident one way or another, either by being one of the kidnapped childs (which I believe June, Santa and Clover to be), close friends or relatives (Junpei, Lotus, Snake), on the search team (Seven) or other way. I believe Ace to be some kind of detective, since I get that vibe from him, and 9 to be an ex researcher (the one that run the experiments on the kids), thus explaining his unstable nature.And I guess the captain was the Captain of the ship during the experiments. As for the killer in this route, I don't think it was zero, but I do believe there is more people on this ship, the mind controlled kids. I know this may have a lot of holes, or for those who finished the game it doesn't make a lot of sense, but this is what I pieced together with the limited info I know of to date

Just completed another 2 routes... I can't even begin to describe...this.
Well, I'll probably finish the game tomorrow... The only thing I can say is that this is an amazing game. So far everything has played a role, and I love how each ending gives you just a little bit more information, enough to keep you wanting to try again.

This was the first game of this type I played and I was hooked - so much intrigue, so many twists and turns. The sequel is one of my all time favourite games.

Since I haven't played this for many years, I'll avoid commenting to avoid spoilers. For those playing, enjoy!

Another series is Danganronpa which I really liked (I played the first 2 main games), and I hear the Ace Attorney series is also good (though I've never played it).

Just completed another 2 routes... I can't even begin to describe...this.
Well, I'll probably finish the game tomorrow... The only thing I can say is that this is an amazing game. So far everything has played a role, and I love how each ending gives you just a little bit more information, enough to keep you wanting to try again.

Nice! Update us on your final thoughts when you finish it all, can't wait to discuss the entire plot with you and everyone else.

I had heard about this game multiple times before and I had not played it before. Glad I did though the story in this game is pretty amazing. I also enjoyed many of the puzzle elements.

That being said so far out of the Zero Escape trilogy of the one's I've played so far 999 and Virtue's Last Reward 999 is still my favorite out of the series. Maybe Zero Time Dilemma will change that I don't know.

The first time I played 999 was in the "The Nonary Games." on PS4 a mini collection of the first 2 Zero Escape games. I highly recommend it if anything than for the voice acting. The voice acting I thought was really good.

I finished it!! First of all game, why do yo end like this??? I mean, you show this chick that was supposed to be a mummy, and then ROLL CREDITS!!!.
Ok, now I'm calm, and I'm not even sure where to start with this. Thus game is AMAZING. Not a single route was wasted story-wise, and somehow it all makes sense. As for Zero, I have one serious problem trying to understand how Akane was there and made the whole thing to save herself. Was the Akane with them an illusion? Was she fading in and out of existance? Or was it like multiple timelines and stuff?
I'd love to continue writing this post, but I still have to sort out things in my mind, so I can have a coherent conversation regarding the game.

Since I finished my first route last night (got the 3rd ending) and am half way through my second, might as well share some thoughts. The tutorial seems a little hand holdy. I messed up three time on a puzzle, and every time I reentered it, it had to explane the rules to me on how to turn the dials and how to add up the number cards. None of the other puzzle retold me the information I needed, so why tell me multiple times in the tutorial? The characters needing code names makes no sense to me. We all know how they got captured (or at lest I think I know). Zero snuck into each of their houses and gassed them. This is how Junpei was captured so I assume that how everyone else was captured. Because of this Zero KNOWS EVERYONE'S NAME. The excuse of "We don't want Zero to know who we are" is debunked by this information. The only thing that I can think of that makes sense is that they want to hide Zero's iditit (pretty sure Zero is a code name as well so this doesn't work), it's a Japanese "Class" thing, or we're trying to hide the fact that Seven is homeless (which I'm really sure he is). They really like to show you how to do the math so you're not lost. Everytime they bring up a team, they show you how it works out. Not really a complaint I guess, but gets on my nerves sometimes. Also not really a complaint, but I kinda wish that they allowed you to pick who would go into what doors instead of having a predecided group. I understand why they did it for you, but I just wish I could do it myself. Also there's a pice of evidence that I think disproves that someone dies. This being Snake's left arm. It's fake from the accident that took his eyes. Clover tells you this pretty much right before you find out about his death. Either Zero found away around this, only part of his arm is gone (doubt it), or he's not dead.

OK, I'm done snarking. I like this game. It's a really smart game that knows how to break down each puzzle with out making you feel dumb... well most of the time. They describe how a puzzle works and lets you figure it out yourself. Ocatialy they'll give you a "Hey Dumbass" hint, but most of the time, I think I did it myself. Each character is really cool, to the point that I don't think I hate any characters. With only a few quirks I could mention, everyone seems like a normal person and pretty friendly. It's a pretty funny game to. A few jokes seem to be duds, but I think I laughed at most of the jokes (mostly at the Funyarinpa). Lastly, it does something that I absolutely love: gives random history and trivia. Example: The Titanic had two sister ships, the Olympic and the Britannic (also known as the Gigantic). Now I don't know how true the mummy curse story June tells is true but maybe it's true.

And for things I didn't know where to put on here.
-The game really likes to push the June and Junpei relationship. I don't really mind, but there are times that it gets REALLY distracting to the story.
-Snake is Daredevil and I don't know if I like this revelation or not.
-The game seems to have a habbit of having Japanese things but not explaining them well. For example, everyone does not know what a shower head is. Reason: Showers are not common in Japan and they normaly only have baths. Santa hates the number 4. He gives a different reason, but the real reason is that 4 sounds like Death in Japanese.
-I really don't like the orignal box art for the game. It seems really crowded, having all the main characters shoved into one spot, with enough room to show Junpei and June becuse they are important. It's kinda like what they did for Danganronpa V3, but there they made sure to add more color to jazz it up and have more to look. The new box art (AKA what I got) and the Japanese box do a better job at making it look appealing to me.

Since I finished my first route last night (got the 3rd ending) and am half way through my second, might as well share some thoughts. The tutorial seems a little hand holdy. I messed up three time on a puzzle, and every time I reentered it, it had to explane the rules to me on how to turn the dials and how to add up the number cards. None of the other puzzle retold me the information I needed, so why tell me multiple times in the tutorial? The characters needing code names makes no sense to me. We all know how they got captured (or at lest I think I know). Zero snuck into each of their houses and gassed them. This is how Junpei was captured so I assume that how everyone else was captured. Because of this Zero KNOWS EVERYONE'S NAME. The excuse of "We don't want Zero to know who we are" is debunked by this information. The only thing that I can think of that makes sense is that they want to hide Zero's iditit (pretty sure Zero is a code name as well so this doesn't work), it's a Japanese "Class" thing, or we're trying to hide the fact that Seven is homeless (which I'm really sure he is). They really like to show you how to do the math so you're not lost. Everytime they bring up a team, they show you how it works out. Not really a complaint I guess, but gets on my nerves sometimes. Also not really a complaint, but I kinda wish that they allowed you to pick who would go into what doors instead of having a predecided group. I understand why they did it for you, but I just wish I could do it myself. Also there's a pice of evidence that I think disproves that someone dies. This being Snake's left arm. It's fake from the accident that took his eyes. Clover tells you this pretty much right before you find out about his death. Either Zero found away around this, only part of his arm is gone (doubt it), or he's not dead.

OK, I'm done snarking. I like this game. It's a really smart game that knows how to break down each puzzle with out making you feel dumb... well most of the time. They describe how a puzzle works and lets you figure it out yourself. Ocatialy they'll give you a "Hey Dumbass" hint, but most of the time, I think I did it myself. Each character is really cool, to the point that I don't think I hate any characters. With only a few quirks I could mention, everyone seems like a normal person and pretty friendly. It's a pretty funny game to. A few jokes seem to be duds, but I think I laughed at most of the jokes (mostly at the Funyarinpa). Lastly, it does something that I absolutely love: gives random history and trivia. Example: The Titanic had two sister ships, the Olympic and the Britannic (also known as the Gigantic). Now I don't know how true the mummy curse story June tells is true but maybe it's true.

And for things I didn't know where to put on here.
-The game really likes to push the June and Junpei relationship. I don't really mind, but there are times that it gets REALLY distracting to the story.
-Snake is Daredevil and I don't know if I like this revelation or not.
-The game seems to have a habbit of having Japanese things but not explaining them well. For example, everyone does not know what a shower head is. Reason: Showers are not common in Japan and they normaly only have baths. Santa hates the number 4. He gives a different reason, but the real reason is that 4 sounds like Death in Japanese.
-I really don't like the orignal box art for the game. It seems really crowded, having all the main characters shoved into one spot, with enough room to show Junpei and June becuse they are important. It's kinda like what they did for Danganronpa V3, but there they made sure to add more color to jazz it up and have more to look. The new box art (AKA what I got) and the Japanese box do a better job at making it look appealing to me.

Yeah the constant tutorials were definitely a huge annoyance for me, sometimes I'd need to exit the puzzle just to check a clue and re-enter only for the game to re-explain everything again.

Also I agree on the box art, the original makes Junpei is so prominent on the front that it starts to bleed into that entire "Main Character Front & Center, Maybe Holding a Weapon or in an Action Pose" style of game box art that's so popular