No spoilers are contained in this review.
Zero escape is one of those games you hear about maybe once or twice in your life. You probably forget about it and it rots in the back of your head. Maybe you add it to your Wishlist but never get the chance to play it. But maybe by some miracle you do end up playing it, it could change your life. And I really don't mean to sound hyperbolic. I can give that praise to a select few games. This is one of those games you could see a 12 hour Youtube video on, and know its actually has that much depth worth writing about. This game may not appeal to every one but I'm begging you, you have to play it, and give it a try.
I first heard about this series maybe 10 years ago. I opened up Youtube And there was a video with the main icon of the game, the gas mask. And it was 4 hours long. I didn't watch it so I wouldn't spoil myself. I just knew it was special somehow. As if waiting for this very moment I played it now. And I suddenly remembered that video, which was the inciting incident for me getting this game. As to not spoil anything I have to walk on eggshells, so this will be more about my experience rather than objective critiques unlike my other reviews.
My experience with zero escape 9 hours, 9 persons, 9 doors:
One moment that really stuck with me early on in the first game was in the kitchen escape room. At one point out of nowhere you get abruptly told about a theory about the titanic, since the escape rooms are based on the titanic. But it ends up leading to a discussion about the book that predicted titanic accident. And it leads to a discussion that leads into a lost Egyptian mummy, and then into a conspiracy theory about ice. So at that point I was kind of confused at what was going on. But when they got to the part about the ice, they explained how the crystal structures of the ice. That a type of ice could be a different structure that would make it more resilient to melting. Then later on it has a similar example of a type of material suddenly being normal, until it just changes. And it affects all the other types of the material forever.
And that shocked me, because its actually true to real life. Now I'm not an expert but I remembered learning about polymorphs, which is essentially that metaphor this game was using to tell its story and themes. A famous example was a type of medicine that was very effective for AIDs (Ritonavir) that changed into a different polymorph. And it caused a chain reaction that made all the other ones that came into contact with it the same. Causing the entire drug to be ineffective overnight. So you have to imagine how shocking it is to see something relatively obscure and complex just casually explained through a metaphor, that you would assume is another made up thing for the story. And it never gets addressed that its based on real chemistry. That's when I knew this game was something special.
It's impressive how they connect things that seem totally unrelated. Like an example I just made up, ever noticed how panopticons and amphitheaters are exact opposites? An amphitheater is circular seats surrounding a stage, and panopticon is a prison design where the cells are in a circle and a watch tower in the middle that can watch everyone at all times. The first is everybody looking at one person, and the other is one person looking at everyone.
And I didn't just use obscure references to buildings, its because most of the time the game explains stuff that are obscure but actually meaningful. Like what does: quantum mechanics, metaphysics, sentient robots, the Law of attraction, and time loops have in common? unfortunately I can't tell you because it would spoil the second game's story. But there is a connection that they all have, that is beautiful. And what is impressive is how they blend real science, science fiction, and pseudoscience with a connecting emotional and logical throughline. And that method is so enthralling to me. It's a style I didn't know I could love so much. It's like if I tried a new type of food, and it instantly became my new favorite. It feels so improbable. Like it was made just for me.
The writing:
There are so many little things that just combine to make for good twists. Like one complaint I had was that the second games protagonist isn't voice acted, but there's an actual reason why. Or small little insignificant details about a character that line up and make a reveal later on hit harder. One character says that they trust another character. Or why a certain character seems to be kind of blunt and ignores sarcasm. And they never tell you why, but after a reveal you can realize why later on. I appreciate some of the subtlety.
Not to mention how they manage to write such good villains. They make the plans of them smart and logical, with the rules set up in the nonary game. And that also applies to the main character as well. Like figuring out things based on logic, or subtly weighing the odds in their favor. Or just brute forcing it and confronting a character when they are alone until they reveal the information. I will say that the second game has a less strong villain, it feels like the motive doesn't really tie into the story very well. Though I suppose the 3rd game could remedy that, when I play it.
That does unfortunately extend into the protagonist. In the second game you can potentially "win" but the game will contrive scenarios to make it so you don't. But when another character is in the same position they will win. I know its because they don't want to spoil anything, but you can still have the character escape but just don't show anything. To me it comes off mean spirited, illogical, and unsatisfying. The biggest example is the main character falling for an extremely obvious trap. the main character in the first game was smarter than that, and the new protagonist isn't dumb either.
The final reveal in the first game actually made me stand out of my chair and pace around the room, it was that good. And it all made sense in retrospect. With a not too far leap of logic that is believable for the established rules. The only other game I've done that with is the ace attorney professor Layton crossover. Mainly because that final chapter had so many plot holes I was flabbergasted. The whole idea of why the nonary game is being played is also a big mystery. And it's answer will change multiple times based on the information you have. I think the second game does a better job at that, with it being more nonlinear. That said the second games ending is kind of sad and worse, mainly because of what happens to the characters fate. It felt like because of the rules of the game the writers were backed in a corner. But the third game could change that.
Conclusion:
Zero escape is not the best game ever made but its a game I will think about long after I've played it, for many years to come. It's my choice for the greatest story ever told in a video game. A pure vision for a game untainted by greed or mass appeal. It's unlike any game I've ever played. There will never be another game quite like Zero escape, 9 hours 9 persons 9 doors. I have so much more I wish I could say but I wouldn't dream of spoiling this game. Since this is a collect of 2 games. I will give my rating for each. My final verdict for Zero escape 9 hours 9 persons 9 doors: 9.6/10. My final verdict for Zero escape virtues last reward: 9.2/10. Thank you for reading.
