Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward - PlayStation Vita

Please keep in mind that this game is a sequel to "9 Persons 9 Hours 9 Doors" for the Nintendo DS. Virtue's Last Reward will reveal some of the major plot points of 999, so if you plan to play that game first, please do so before playing this one. br>br>Without giving anything away about the plot of VLR, I will say that it is an incredibly complex story full of unexpected twists and constant intrigue. One bombshell after another shattered my theories, and I only called something before it happened once or twice (and boy, does it feel good to predict something in this game). However, the game isn't entirely made up of visual novels. The first half of the game is spent attempting to escape a room by solving the puzzles within. Every room has its own set of puzzles, ranging from math to riddles to three-dimensional puzzles. code-based puzzles and three-dimensional puzzles cracking. There were a few rooms that had me stumped, but most of the time it was just a matter of taking a break and returning to the game later. br>br>However, puzzles aren't the only way you'll interact with the game; throughout the visual novel, you'll frequently be given opportunities to dramatically alter the story's course by making decisions. The most notable example is a'minigame' known as the 'Ambidex Game,' or 'AB Game. ' Unlike the previous title, the nine people who make up VLR are all working towards a common goal. goal - to amass at least nine 'bracelet points' This allows a person to open the number 9 door, allowing them and anyone else with nine or more points to leave the prison in which the participants are imprisoned and escape. Anyone who is left behind will be trapped in this place for the rest of their lives. Because the plot can be changed, there are a variety of endings to choose from (including a few 'bad ends'). If you make a mistake or just want to try something new, the game has a built-in flow chart that you can access at any time and use to 'jump' to different chapters in any point in the game you've previously played. This way, you can change your mind before making a critical decision, or jump out of a puzzle room you're stuck in and start a new path in a different storyline. br>br>Now that we've moved on to the participants and their goal of escaping, I'll briefly explain how they earn the points they need to escape. To earn points, players must play the AB Game, in which they must choose between two options: ally with the last person they chose to join forces with and solve a puzzle room with, or betray them The following is a breakdown of the incentives for both options: Both parties gain 2 points towards their bracelet point total if they choose to Ally. However, if one party votes Betray, the traitor(s) gain 3 points while the ally loses 2. If both parties vote to Betray, the result is a stalemate in which neither party loses nor gains points. Each of the nine participants starts with three bracelet points, and if they reach zero or negative bracelet points, or break any of the rules, they are immediately executed by a lethal injection from their bracelet. br>br>This AB Game is based on the 'prisoner's dilemma,' which is just one of the concepts explored in this game. When the exposition kicks into high gear, the storyline delves into intense scientific theory and investigation, but thankfully, the protagonist is more Watson than Sherlock, and asks almost all of the immediate questions that players may have. So even if you've never heard of something, you can be confident that you'll understand it in no time. br>br>I could go on and on about the cast, but to do so would be to reveal a major reason why I adore this game and risk spoiling it for those who haven't played it yet. To put it another way, the cast is diverse and endlessly fascinating. You'll never figure out each member of the cast in your first meeting, and just when you think you know them, they'll reveal something unexpected about themselves, leaving you surprised, furious, and loving the characters even more. This game should be purchased. br>br> This is the game for you if you enjoy games with a strong cast and a story that you can't help but get caught up in. If you haven't tried any of the Zero Escape games yet, 999 is a good place to start.

Jay Cochran

| Aug 19, 2021

To put it bluntly, the intellectualism displayed by the storytelling in both Zero Escape and its predecessor (999) makes a mockery of most modern video games' bland incoherent plotlines. br>br>Virtue's Last Reward is a visual novel with puzzle elements at its core. The puzzles are mostly enjoyable, but they can be challenging at times; however, the developers have included an "easymode" to assist less experienced players or those who are only interested in the story with major hints to help them progress. Because the story is related to 999 in some ways, it's a good idea to start with 999 or read/watch a synopsis. Reading and tapping on the Vita's touchscreen are the main modes of play, which works well for this type of adventure game. The graphics are smooth, and the music in the background does a good job of setting the tone. The English voice acting is excellent and rivals/surpasses the Japanese voice acting, which is uncommon among most localizations. br>br>In my opinion, the save-to-anywhere and put-to-anywhere options are the most convenient. down/select The game's upbeat (though you won't want to put it down for long) nature makes it ideal for mobile. You won't want to miss this game if you're looking for a compelling story with shocking revelations and thought-provoking gameplay.

Lilian Sanders

| Sep 06, 2021

So here I am, 60 hours later, with Zero Escape completed. br>br>It took me months to get to the end, but that's due to the fact that I only play a few times a week. Also, I believe I would have gone insane if I had to play this game straight through without any breaks to play other games. Because, as entertaining as this game is, there will be times when you must exit it, either because it has become too repetitive or because you've come across a puzzle that you simply cannot solve no matter how hard you try. br>br>That's a downer way to start a review, but I had a lot of fun with this game. It's like reading a good mystery novel in that it makes you think. It keeps throwing plot twists your way and forcing you to play through various scenarios. "There's no way they can pull this all together and make it all make sense," I thought for the majority of the game, but I'm happy to report that I was wrong. You must, of course, be open to science fiction. If you're willing to spend months of your life playing a game that encourages time travel and alternate endings, you're probably willing to suspend disbelief, just like I was. br>br>This game is incredibly absorbing when it gets into its stride. Yes, you do end up clicking through hundreds of pages of text (which is to be expected given that this is essentially an interactive novel). The plot and characters, on the other hand, keep you engrossed. Some of the characters were far more appealing to me than others. Phi piqued my interest right away, and K (a mysterious man clad in armor) is designed to keep you guessing about his identity. Dio is a believable villain (though the villainy is a little heavy-handed), and Tenmyouji has an interesting backstory, even if the voice doesn't sound quite as old as Tenmyouji is supposed to be. Alice's voice was one of my favorites; She's one of the group's two sexpots, and the actress does an excellent job of bringing that out. Quark irritated me, and Luna's little-girl antics irritated me even more. It's possible that a girl's voice will irritate you. Clover, on the other hand, is torture in any scene: She has the appearance of Pebbles Flintstone with ptosis and a soccer ball stuck in her head. Our protagonist, Sigma, is an oversexed frat boy who has a habit of busting moves at inopportune times. The voice of Zero, Jr. is by far the worst of the bunch. I'm not exaggerating when I say that this is the single most irritating voice I've ever heard in my life, anywhere on the planet; I know it's supposed to be annoying, but every time that stupid rabbit started speaking, I felt a headache forming behind my eyes. I eventually decided to turn the volume down to zero so I wouldn't have to listen to it, which solved the problem. When the puzzles aren't too annoying and frustrating, they're a lot of fun. When I read the reviews on this site, I notice that different people have issues with different rooms. Perhaps it has something to do with the way our brains are built. The puzzles don't always allow you to do what you want, and they can be downright unfair at times. In one puzzle, for example, you must slam a piece of glass against a wall to get the attention of another character. You'll be dead in the water with nowhere to go if you don't do that. The issue is that that mechanic isn't required by any other puzzle in the game. By the fourth quarter of the game, I was relying on walkthroughs to help me solve the puzzles. The Pressure Exchange Chamber was the most frustrating, and I didn't even attempt Q because it is the pinnacle of why these puzzles are so frustrating. However, I agree with one of the reviewers who stated that going to a walkthrough for a solution makes you feel dirty. Why is this so? It's because intelligent people should be able to solve these puzzles on their own, and they can, but the game won't let them. Maybe that's why, once you've unlocked the safe and its gold folder, you'll feel like a supreme god. br>br>Other criticisms include:
- This is the first and only game I've ever had to play while holding a pencil and a pad of paper. Call me crazy, but I don't believe a video game should have that much impact on the experience.
- You won't be able to change your strategy in response to character revelations in the game. To put it another way, you can't psych the game out by telling yourself, "OK, character X isn't trustworthy, so I'm not going to trust him. " "Because in the next round of voting, that character will act in a completely different way than before. That being said, there is a reasonable explanation for everything, but you'll have to wait a long time to find out what it is.
- After months of play, I found the conclusion to be a little underwhelming. Nonetheless, it answers almost all of the questions and concerns, and it nicely sets up a sequel. When I have a year or so to devote to the game, I will undoubtedly purchase and play the sequel. br>br>This is a fantastic game in general. It's thought-provoking, mostly well-written, surprising, and features some excellent voice acting. It is a great value for the money given the number of hours you will spend playing it, and it holds your interest for approximately 2095% of the time (except during some of )br>For the reasons stated above, I am deducting one star. This game is not for you if you enjoy intense action, shooting, adventure, and other similar games. If you enjoy science fiction, this is the book for you. You can't do better than ZERO ESCAPE when it comes to science fiction and mystery novels, as well as solving complex puzzles.

Cesar Anthony

| Oct 15, 2021