They topped 999 with VLR, and I really enjoyed 999. At first, it looks to be a downgrade with the switch to 3D models, the need to include that poor man's Monokuma with Zero III, and some of the characters looking so outlandish. Right off the bat though, they introduce a huge improvement in the ability to jump instantly to specific sections of the game, unlike in 999 where you had to see an ending all the way through, even if you knew you were heading towards a dead end.

But most importantly, the main twist of this game is not only well implemented in terms of the plot, it casts a whole different perspective on everything you've done up to that point. I couldn't believe what I was seeing when I encountered it, and its why I think so fondly of the Zero Escape series still.

Ao jogar no 3DS eu pude usar a segunda tela pra fazer anotações, uma função maravilhosa do console, entretanto ao mesmo tempo fique refém de um bug exclusivo da versão física que apaga o save. E mesmo tendo sido vítima duas vezes seguidas, o que me obrigou a rejogar o mesmo trecho do jogo 3x, algo que eu odeio muito, eu insisti porque tinha curtido muito o primeiro jogo da série.

Ainda assim eu não tava preparado pra tanto emaranhado e explosão mental que esse jogo me proporcionou. Enredo altamente intrigante, com bons puzzles e uma experiência absolutamente sensacional. Um das minhas séries de jogos favoritas de todos os tempos.

Zero Escape is back and this time they cranked the bullshit up to 110%. An equally good game to 999. Always love the idea of a sequel that takes place somewhere completely different, with a different cast of characters and style that also carries on the story and themes of the original game. Story is pretty nuts but rewarding, giving an ending that leaves a tonne of excitement to the imagination. Only downside to this over 999 is that I feel like 999 nailed the relationship and emotional stuff better than VLR but it's a minor gripe with how strong the rest of the narrative is.

This is the best game of the series, but still an incredibly poor written work due to Uchikoshi's absolutely awful writing. Full of contrived plot threads that barely hook together wrapped in a series of gotchas, awful character moments, and completely convoluted and ultimately thematically bare series of events.

There's nothing to latch onto unless you enjoy being thrown around a roller coaster of increasingly stupid and escalating events. I can certainly see the appeal with this one over the rest of the ZE series simply because it is the most ambitious and plays around with admittedly interesting plot structures. The execution leaves way more to be desired and is then retrospectively brought down by the sequel that swore to answer the MULTITUDE of """intentional""" questions left in.

It's ultimately an average not very interesting work that should be left in the bin with the rest of the series as a whole.

I do think that, like the last one, the ending shits the bed somewhat, and gets caught up in whatever dumb narrative it had created for itself, but importantly VLR understands that what is most interesting about it is how the following of different routes is integral to the narrative, and not simply different little things to collect, as is the case with many VNs. THe slow drip feed of the plot was excellent, until the end when it all sort of comes crashing down.

Regardless, I have seen few games that actively interrogate the player's role in a narrative and their ability to shape it. It improves on 999 tenfold by making the puzzles significantly harder, the art style better, and the plot actually make sense. I am sure that I will eventually get around to Zero Time Dilemma.

That's my first entry in the Zero escape series and I already want to play all of them!
The games grew some much on me. At first, I was interested in the puzzles and not in the story, however not long after a few hours, the scenario changes completely. The puzzles were still cool, but I wanted to finish them quickly to continue the story.

The puzzles are well designed and challenging but not frustrating, which make them possible to solve with a bit of patience even in the hard mode.

The story is the top-notch and mindfuck. It's impressive how the game manages to surprise all the time, at the same making sense with the twists and turns.

It's a great experience. I played for more than 50 hours to get every single part of the story and discover all the possible endings, and I can't imagine not playing this way!