VLR is, as the title suggests, a game about virtue... and its rewards. Well, I guess they can't all have super self-descriptive titles like 999.
Anyway, if you've played 999 you should probably know what to expect from this one. The story plays out in a VN-style presentation, you make choices, and then solve puzzles to escape from a room. Most of the puzzles this time around are actually a bit harder than in the first game. Also, each room now has two passwords: one to get the key to the exit, and one that gives you a secret file with bits of extra information. The secret files range from actually interesting to stuff you already knew, or that is going to be explained by the story right after you leave the room. Still, it's a cool mechanic that makes you think of alternate solutions to the puzzles.
The story flowchart is also upgraded from the original game. Every choice will move you to a different branch, which means there are a lot more different endings this time. However, instead of a handful of bad endings and then a true end, like in 999, you have nine character endings, and 15 more bad endings. This results in a total of 24 possible endings, with a surprising amount of variety. This also means that going for every ending would take a very long time, so just do the main nine if you're not up for that.
The story is compelling early on because of how many questions it presents. All of those questions get answered by the end, making for a satisfying ending, but I can't help but feel 999's story was a lot more focused, and had a better cast of characters. VLR has a lot of crazy plot twists, which can be a positive or a negative for some people.
Overall, VLR exceeded my expectations but it's hard for me to say I prefer it over the first game. They're both great games and have different strengths and weaknesses compared to each other.
Now I can't wait to suffer when I play Zero Time Dilemma.
Anyway, if you've played 999 you should probably know what to expect from this one. The story plays out in a VN-style presentation, you make choices, and then solve puzzles to escape from a room. Most of the puzzles this time around are actually a bit harder than in the first game. Also, each room now has two passwords: one to get the key to the exit, and one that gives you a secret file with bits of extra information. The secret files range from actually interesting to stuff you already knew, or that is going to be explained by the story right after you leave the room. Still, it's a cool mechanic that makes you think of alternate solutions to the puzzles.
The story flowchart is also upgraded from the original game. Every choice will move you to a different branch, which means there are a lot more different endings this time. However, instead of a handful of bad endings and then a true end, like in 999, you have nine character endings, and 15 more bad endings. This results in a total of 24 possible endings, with a surprising amount of variety. This also means that going for every ending would take a very long time, so just do the main nine if you're not up for that.
The story is compelling early on because of how many questions it presents. All of those questions get answered by the end, making for a satisfying ending, but I can't help but feel 999's story was a lot more focused, and had a better cast of characters. VLR has a lot of crazy plot twists, which can be a positive or a negative for some people.
Overall, VLR exceeded my expectations but it's hard for me to say I prefer it over the first game. They're both great games and have different strengths and weaknesses compared to each other.
Now I can't wait to suffer when I play Zero Time Dilemma.