Tetragrammaton rates this game: 5/5Nine Persons, Nine Hours, Nine Doors (999) is a truly excellent, little-known gem of a game. The gripping, twisting plot is hard to put down, and the way the story weaves itself together is stupendous. The characters are all unique and memorable, and this game has spawned more inside jokes between my friends and I than almost any other game (say you're sorry to the funyarinpa!) The dialougue is at times hilarious, and at other times it really draws out your emotions. As for the gameplay, 999 IS a visual novel. There is searching and puzzle-work in this game; if that isn't your cup of tea you may not enjoy it. But you should still give 999 a chance if it even slightly peaks your interest, because it will not disappoint.
Pontinho rates this game: 5/5Nine Hours Nine Persons Nine Doors is so compelling you will not be able to put it down until you have completed it, even then you will be longing for more. This has the most intriguing story-line of any game yet, easily out-doing the likes of the Phoenix Wright series, which have an amazing story-line, but 999 just blazes past it in caomparison. The expertly spellbound story-line will keep you well entertained, a deathly game with many great puzzles. The best thing about 999 is the amazingly tantalizing multiple endings, depending on how well you do in the game, all the endings are compelling. The characters are well suited, many that throughout the game you will learn to love.
Nirex rates this game: 5/5I gotta say, this game just left me so enthralled in the story, leaving me surprised at the shocking twists and the multiple endings. You really haven't seen it all until you get all the endings and go through all the scenarios. And you won't get bored of it. With Junpei's ability to joke around even in the most scary situations, you'll enjoy trying to find his little jokes that are tucked away in all the rooms. Definitely worth the play but it's slightly violent and crass so if you don't like that I wouldn't suggest it.
malevolentNeon rates this game: 5/59 Hours, 9 Persons, 9 Doors is, simply put, a brilliant visual novel. It combines an intense mystery, well written prose and simple gameplay to tell an incredible story.
The story starts off hard and fast; You, as young Junpei, wake to find yourself locked in an unfamiliar cabin on an even more unfamiliar ship. The situation goes from confusing to perilous as water begins flooding into the cabin, forcing Junpei to franticaly search for a way out of the room, launching him into a adventure to escape the slowly sinking ship along with eight other captives.
The gameplay is split up between two distinct phases; narrative and escape. Narrative phases consist simply of reading the advancing story, occasionally making dialogue choices. The choices made during the narratives phases will determine which of the six possible endings your will achieve, focusing on which path you take through the ship. Thankfully, when replaying to acheive a new ending, you'll be able to fast-forward through previously read dialogue.
The escape phases involve using simple controls to navigate your way around the room you find yourself trapped in, collecting items and solving puzzles to escape. Be warned, as this game will challenge you with fiendish logic puzzles that may well leave you scrambling for a walkthrough. The only problem is, sometimes you'll have to resort to a bit of pixel hunting to advance.
The art in this game is fantastic and certainly proves that the visual novel genre is worth your time. The music is just as wonderful; sombre songs for emotional times, intense tunes for perilous puzzles and tricky ditties for perplexing mysteries.
If you're a fan of adventure games, visual novels or well-written mystery stories, 9 Hours, 9 Persons, 9 Doors is right up your alley and will leave you begging for more til the credits roll.
Avenger001 rates this game: 5/5Think of this game as the combination of all of what makes your favourite movie, book, song, or whatever, so special. It's a masterfully crafted piece of storytelling, that even when you complete it, will leave you craving for more. And boy it has more.
Packed with six different endings, this game just blows your mind each time you reach one. The decisions you can make through the game open different branches on the story, and depending on which one you choose, the ending you'll get.
Now, keep in mind that this is a visual novel, with puzzles between story segments (which are sometimes really, really long). If you don't like games like the Phoenix Wright series (to name one), then don't try this, because you'll be very disappointed. But on the other hand, if you like story-driven games, then you will definitely love this one.
The puzzles are little additions that contribute to the story, each one with the perfect excuse of the circumstances of the story, what makes them entertaining. If you played some point and click games, then you'll feel at home with this one. They follow the same premise as other games of this kind like Monkey Island or Beneath a Steel Sky; collect an item, take it to some place, do something, and you progress. It's not complicated, but sometimes it can crack your mind, so maybe you'll need some paper and pencil to keep notes (you can't take notes in-game).
This is definitely one of the best games on the system. Try it.