Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward 3DS
User Score
8.5 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 63 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 53 out of 63
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 63
  3. Negative: 6 out of 63

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  1. KLoWn
    May 19, 2013
    10
    A game that lives up to the standard it's predecessor 999 set. Anyone who loves a good mystery story and some puzzle solving should get this game immediately.

    Only bad thing about it is that long time VN fans will inevitably notice some similarities between this game and earlier titles like Ever17 and Remember11, but other than that it's a stellar experienc all the way through.
  2. themadhatter26
    Apr 12, 2013
    0
    Fun up until the point it freezes, corrupts your save data, and makes you start all the way over from the beginning. DO NOT play this game on the 3DS if you value your time and money.
  3. wesker2012
    Apr 4, 2013
    6
    Virtues last reward is an overall improvement over the original with an expanded and in more in depth universe. The puzzles are better this time around and the game also adds a much needed 'flow' mechanic which allows you to skip through previous read texts and jump from one narrative path to another allowing you to skip puzzles already completed. The plot like the first keeps you guessing and intrigued at every turn but the story's branching narratives also become a grind even though its also one of the games greatest features. Having to explore all of the branching paths to fully understand the story becomes exhausting especially since certain events and sequences have to be watched over again and again. Also, having to watch your character move as a dot going through the map is extremely tiring having seen it for the umpteenth time. While the game lasts you about 30-40 hours of playtime, the games story doesn't seem worth the time it takes to go through it. Ultimately the story just doesn't give you that satisfaction you were waiting for when given all the answers. Sure the game logically explains everything....but it seems more like everything is conveniently explained through science fiction and fantasy elements rather than logic based in reality. This ultimately was a disappointment for me as I was waiting to be mind blown by revelations grounded in reality where it was actually possible to put the story's revelations together myself. Instead there would be no way to figure out what really happened unless the game told you. So, ultimately, the plot and narrative plays out less like a mystery grounded in reality and more like just a far fetched sci fi story.… Expand
  4. AhmadAlsumain
    Mar 25, 2013
    10
    Tragedy, sadness, happiness and full of surprises this is what this game about. I love the game play, there is clever puzzles here and there, but the story is where the game shines.
  5. Gargus
    Mar 7, 2013
    0
    Buy the Sony Vita version instead.

    I will dispense with reviews of the game itself since there is overwhelming positive comments on the game across the internet and I for one share in them and do like this game very much. I will however give the reasons as to why I recommend the Vita version over the 3ds. I own and have played the Vita version and compared it to my friend's 3ds copy.


    1- The vita has superior looking graphics. Partly due to the fact the game was designed around the Vita itself, partly due to the superior hardware of the Vita and partly because the Vita version has uncompressed graphics. It looks much nicer on the Vita. The 3ds version has compressed graphics when in comparison don't look nearly as good and if you try to play it in 3d the graphics take a slight dip even further as do all 3ds games. The widescreen aspect of the Vita also helps a lot. The colors are just more vibrant and sharper on the Vita.

    2- The sound is better on the Vita. Again it's due to the sound being uncompressed on the Vita while being compressed on the 3ds. It's slight, but noticeable.

    3- Game breaking save bug on the 3ds version. The 3ds version of the game in Japan had a bug in it which would destroy your save file and it has carried over into the American game. It's not guaranteed but a lot of people have run into it. If you save your game during certain portions of the game it will corrupt your save and you will have to start all over again. It's been verified by myself and others that the Vita version does not contain this problem.

    Other notes- The Vita version has trophy support if you're into collecting them. People have claimed the touch screen on the 3ds is far superior but what they don't understand is you can use a style on the Vita and get the exact same results, a simple and very cheap capacitive stylus works just fine on the Vita touch screen. I personally liked having everything on one screen instead of a split screen. You can take screenshots in the game. You get more save game slots while the 3ds has only one.

    All in all this is a great game and worth playing on either system but at the end of the day I cannot see any reason to not play it on the Vita as it is a better experience in every way.    … Expand
  6. MrsDraenog
    Feb 22, 2013
    10
    I don't think I could love this game more if I tried. This game is the visual novel/puzzle sequel to the DS game '999: 9 Hours 9 Persons 9 Doors', and after loving the first game, this one completely surpassed my expectations. This one included increasing text speed and also being able to go to different points in the game, which were very frustrating in the original. This means you won't have to play a room twice if you don't want. It's heavily text based, but there are lots of good puzzles and escape the room type scenarios to enjoy. As far as the storyline goes, it's confusing at times, requires some thinking, but it's completely captivating. I enjoyed all the characters, and it managed to be funny and touching. There's only one save slot, but I can understand why, so it wasn't an issue for me at all. There's also a noted bug in the 3DS version where if you save in certain rooms the game becomes corrupted, this did not happen to me, as I followed advice to not save while in an active puzzle room. I totaled about 45 hours with the game and all paths completed. This is THE 3DS game for me.… Expand
  7. DeusExMachina7
    Feb 20, 2013
    10
    One of the most classically engaging stories ever invented. Despite how linear the story is in its splitting up of choices, it never feels like a chore going back and forth between them, because a desire to watch everything is there. A game that demands to be played. A warning though, as the 3DS version is bugged. Saving in the PEC room will likely corrupt your save, so steer clear of saving in that room.… Expand
  8. acoolguy
    Feb 2, 2013
    6
    Now, let me start out by saying this is one of the greatest games I have ever played. Just... DON'T get the 3DS version. It has some well-known bugs that I doubt will ever be fixed, that all involve corrupting your save data. I knew of the bugs that could corrupt your save data while saving during a puzzle room, but I decided i just wouldn't save during a puzzle. So I didn't. But I DIDN'T know that during one of the endings that you have to get to complete the game, the game can crash at random, corrupting all of your data. So I lost 27 hours of game time, and the experience of the game was ruined. So, I'm giving the 3DS version a 6, but if it weren't for the bugs my review would be much higher, probably a 10. Summary: Save yourself the trouble, wasted time, and disappointment and invest in the Vita version if possible.… Expand
  9. duckypwns
    Feb 2, 2013
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Good game, but again, like 999, this game still has some issues with the way the game is structured. The game assumes that you want to be a good guy, and also, despite your character's ability to access alternate timelines, you are completely powerless compared to the other characters. If tiny, weak little Clover gets 9 BP, she can run for the 9 door and nobody will stop her. But if YOU run for the 9 door after getting 9 BP, despite that your character could have foreseen it in an alternate timeline and deliberately avoided it, you will be stopped. The game also acts like you're a horrible person if you choose "betray"; they start treating you like you're a sociopath or a murderer, even if it was only the more logical decision for the group. This is usually followed up by a game over. Basically, this is my hugest problem with both 999 and VLR The moral system is one of those "save 1,000 kittens, or become a mass murderer, nothing in between" kind of deals. Other characters, like Phi and K get to be rational yet not necessarily evil, so why can't I? Story based games where all you do is scroll through text (and solve puzzles) should be the best at giving players a wide array of options, but VLR is still pretty limited as far as that goes. One thing they DID do to improve the game's structure was that they added the "flow" option, where you basically don't have to replay the whole game over and over to get alternate endings like we did in 999. In my opinion, the puzzles are also much better than in 999. I would say an average adult could probably solve every single puzzle in the game without having to look anything up, yet they still provide a solid challenge. Some rooms have taken me over 30 minutes to solve. And the story, just like in 999, is still very good as well. Once Aksys opens up the player's choices a little bit more, and stops treating logical players like they're evil, I think they will have the formula perfected.… Expand
  10. Alzero
    Jan 26, 2013
    10
    Where am I, who are these people, and what type of game am I in for??? These are the questions of all new gamers who come into the mysterious, deadly, and thrilling world of Zero Escape. This is no ordinary game, this is one of life and death, and it's a good one at that (watch the trailer or read the premise of Wikiedia or IGN and you'll be intrigued). This game relies heavily on its narrative with a very original and unique plot, interesting character interactions, and varying branches of choices to make (imagine Mass Effect, but much more consequential) with over 20 endings :) You'll be satisfied, enthralled, and wanting more, no worries there (you might lose some sleep too...) The other gameplay portion revolves around intuitive environmental puzzles that are fun and challenging to do (not too easy, nor too hard). The 3d visuals fit the 3ds perfectly, and the soundtrack is haunting, and the presentation convenient (there is even a log function for dialog).

    Overall, gamers looking for something truly unique, interesting, unpredictable, and incredibly compelling and off the beaten track, should give this game at least a hour or too (cause that's all it takes to suck you in lol). 10/10 If you think this score is too good, just play the game for yourselves and find out ;)    … Expand
  11. Lanopo
    Jan 26, 2013
    9
    This game was made with a large amount of people with an adherent passion for story-telling and problem solving. This game is an equivalent to a lengthy novel and will quite possibly take up to 40-60 hours of your time, testing your morality, intelligence, and deductive reasoning the entire time. However the only one save 'feature' is a flaw and should be frowned upon, but disregarded. Play 999 first though since luckily for you the 3DS can play DS games.… Expand
  12. MacRoboV
    Dec 9, 2012
    6
    Virtue's last reward is a sequel of sorts to the 2010 Nintendo DS game,
  13. metroidisbest
    Nov 20, 2012
    10
    Easily one of the best games of the year. Virtue's Last Reward is one of the best stories ever told in video games. I clocked in just over 32 hr to complete everything the game has to offer. It is an incredible value.
  14. Tatsuhiko
    Nov 13, 2012
    10
    Obviously one of the best 3DS games out there. Words cannot even describe how great, but mind-boggling the story is. Finishing this game makes me want the sequel even more now.
  15. hope1
    Nov 6, 2012
    7
    I want to give this game a higher score and it is overall a good game, but I will just summarize the good and bad points about this game: + Better graphics + Better gameplay mechanics through puzzles and convenient playback (I really like the puzzles in this one) + Interesting continuation of the story - Somewhat the interface is cumbersome making the game itself buggy - The character design and concept really lame compared to the first game, not really interesting
    - The game story though interesting is less intense and toned down for maybe a younger audeince, I don't why. I used to love the first game having a lot of shocking sequences. Basically game is great with really good puzzles but the story and its intensity is toned down which ruins the gaming experience a bit.    … Expand
  16. piford
    Nov 4, 2012
    8
    This game looks awesome, and I know there are amazing reviews out there for the 3DS version, including some of the ones posted for the Vita version, so go out there and put them in a give me a metascore
  17. Darrisbob1
    Nov 4, 2012
    9
    After playing through five of the over twenty different endings, here is my review. "Virtue's Last Reward" is the second game in Zero Escape series (with the first game being "999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors"). If you haven't played that game, it is HIGHLY recommended that you go back and get the final ending to "999". Like the game before it, "VLR" uses a mixture of heavy character and story involvement, multiple paths that lead to various endings, and challenging and sometimes punishing puzzles. The move up to the 3DS does little to change the formula of "999" and instead looks to improve upon them. The game has tons of full-voiced dialog (in both English and Japanese) and many more endings than in the previous game. The new characters you interact with are a varied group, each with different backgrounds and secrets to be revealed. The best way to describe this type of game to a newcomer would be to call it a mixture of Visual Novel (ala School Days or Corpse Party) and Puzzle game (like the Professor Layton series). I don't want to give too much away story-wise, as it's best to go into this game not knowing too much about what is going to happen. People who have played "999" knows where it's going, but the added twists and turns along the way will keep you playing til the very end.… Expand
  18. heenie
    Oct 31, 2012
    10
    Great game. Very strategic. Characters and environments are fun. IGN has reviewed the 3DS version but it had not posted to metacritic!? Is metacritic's 3DS person on strike?!

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
88 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Eurogamer Italy
    Apr 12, 2013
    90
    If written words don't scare you, Virtue's Last Reward is one of the best interactive books to date. Chunsoft's game mixes a great narrative with the hardest moral choices you can find in a game. Will you be a traitor or a betrayed?
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  2. 4Players.de
    Mar 14, 2013
    88
    If you want a suspenseful crime story with sci-fi flair, dramatic conflicts and puzzles that are as varied as they are challenging, look no further. This is a grand adventure.
    Read full review
  3. DarkStation
    Mar 6, 2013
    90
    It’s a near flawless narrative experience wrapped in a bog-standard but necessary adventure game.
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