Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors Image
Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors
Aksys Games
Release Date:
Metascore
82
Based on
23 Critics
User Score
8.9
Based on
160 Ratings
Summary Back to top
In this game, you must help Junpei reclaim his memories and play a game of life or death known as the Nonary Game.
Starring: , ,
Developer: ChunSoft
Genre(s): Modern
Cheats: On GameFAQs
Rating: M
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Critic Reviews Back to top
Positive:
19
Mixed:
4
Negative:
0
100
Destructoid
Nov 17, 2010
I don't know when was the last time I was so fascinated by a game, especially one as story-heavy as this.
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90
RPG Fan
Jan 1, 2011
If you're the type of person who skips cutscenes or nods off during long bits of exposition between explosions then steer clear of 999. If you want to try something new, though, I would suggest giving the game a look. Aksys has taken a huge risk in bringing something like this to America, and it may just be the necessary ice-breaker to bring a whole new genre to our shores.
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90
Wii Brasil
Mar 11, 2011
Another masterpiece of the Nintendo DS, another title of undoubted quality and a welcome addition to the already excellent library of the platform.
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83
SpazioGames
Mar 15, 2011
Closer to a novel than to gaming itself, it's suited more to an eastern oriented public. Narration is superb, characters simply unforgettable. On the other hand, if you don't like text heavy experiences, this is not the game for you.
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80
Nintendo Life
Oct 21, 2011
999 is stunning. It sports a captivating plot driven by a fantastic cast of characters, a satisfying mix of puzzles and interesting mathematical, scientific and philosophical quandaries to ponder.
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80
Pocket Gamer UK
Feb 10, 2011
If you're willing to forgive its foibles this is a fresh and exciting narrative driven experience like no other.
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60
GameCritics
Jan 6, 2011
999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors is a good experience, and in parts it can be quite clever-I particularly enjoyed that the game made the existence of its multiple endings an explicit part of its plot. Unfortunately, the weak prose doesn't justify the time investment, and the puzzles don't hold up through the mandatory replays.
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User Reviews Back to top
Positive:
34
Mixed:
7
Negative:
6
10
tantei
Dec 7, 2010
Very fun, very well done story, neat trick to the real ending. this is a game that should not be missed be fans of puzzle games, phoenixVery fun, very well done story, neat trick to the real ending. this is a game that should not be missed be fans of puzzle games, phoenix wright, or great story telling. Warning it is rated Mature for a reason… Expand
10
PepePt1
Mar 15, 2014
This is one of those incredible games that aren`t very popular but they can surprise you when you play it.
Both 999 and Virtue`s Last RewardThis is one of those incredible games that aren`t very popular but they can surprise you when you play it.
Both 999 and Virtue`s Last Reward are fantastic games. Incredible story, amazing characters and 6 fantastic endings. If you are a fan of Visual Novels you can`t miss this game!… Expand
10
SwoopTrust
Nov 5, 2011
Excellent story, and makes it's way on my Top 10 DS games at position 1. Sublime narrative, great puzzles, likeable characters, has everythingExcellent story, and makes it's way on my Top 10 DS games at position 1. Sublime narrative, great puzzles, likeable characters, has everything to be what it is: a must have for the system. Looking forward to it's sequel on 3DS and Vita.… Expand
9
theshonen8899
May 13, 2011
This game is unlike anything you have ever played before in your life. If you hate reading then this largely text based adventure may botherThis game is unlike anything you have ever played before in your life. If you hate reading then this largely text based adventure may bother you, but they aren't very long and very engaging so it shouldn't be a problem. The puzzles are extremely clever and the game properly gives you hints if you have difficulty solving them; I never had to resort to a walkthrough. The characters grow on you at an amazing rate and by the time you are done with the game you will love them. The repetition was annoying at first but each playthrough offers different puzzles and there is a convenient fast forward feature. Overall, this game has largely been ignore but it is without a doubt a hidden jewel of the year. Absolutely amazing.… Expand
9
kymerra
Oct 21, 2013
A gem for the DS as literally the only DS game with a horror genre that is executed to perfection. If you are not a fan of visual novels, theA gem for the DS as literally the only DS game with a horror genre that is executed to perfection. If you are not a fan of visual novels, the story may seem slow-paced. However the plot is very deep, and the dialogue can also be amusing at times. The game also has a lot of replayability with the numerous endings you can get.… Expand
8
HitomiNoRyu
Dec 31, 2011
The point and click puzzle game is a simple formula that you either hate or love. (In my case...LOVE!) The large amount of instructional textsThe point and click puzzle game is a simple formula that you either hate or love. (In my case...LOVE!) The large amount of instructional texts can be annoying however what makes this game great is the story. Every conversation you have with other characters, you feel like you're learning something more about the mystery. But trust me, the twist in the story takes you by surprise like a flying brick to the face! I really hope this company releases more games like this. Great game for people who want a true story in their game!… Expand
0
Grospoliner
Aug 23, 2012
This game is awful. Let me preface that right off the bat. This is not a game.

What this is, is a visual novel. For those unfamiliar withThis game is awful. Let me preface that right off the bat. This is not a game.

What this is, is a visual novel. For those unfamiliar with the term, visual novels are quite literally, novels with visual elements, which can include pictures, videos, and the occasional interactive element. They are a mainstay of Japanese "gaming" and hold a special place in the hearts of lonely individuals with poor person skills and social anxiety disorders. What visual novels aren't, are fun.

The typical 'VN' as they are called, involves hours of text and left mouse clicks. You do not play a VN, merely slog through mind numbing monologues and so called character interaction. This proves to be a fatal flaw in gaming design, because games are supposed to be interactive and ENJOYABLE. There is nothing enjoyable about reading hours of text, staring and two dimensional cell shaded characters. The VN 'problem' stems from the Japanese culture itself. In Japanese gaming, the 'player' is relegated to the role of passive observer. You the player are never allowed to make real choices in a VN, and that same mix of culture and poor design crash head on in 999, rending it a bloody horrid, abortion of game design.

At it's heart, 999 is supposed to be a puzzle-solving adventure game where nine individuals are thrown together by sinister circumstances and are forced to come face to face with their pasts and the deadly traps set before them by an unknown antagonist; promising to be an exciting and enthralling tale of treachery, intrigue, and murder. Unfortunately you're forced to wade through miles of feces before you can get to eat your cake, and no you don't get to shower before it either.

Here's the problem. It's a point and click adventure game that locks you into limited, individual set piece rooms to explore. You will not get to explore anything but what have been chosen for you to enter. Nor will you get to even choose which rooms to enter. Sure, you might be presented with a choice of enter door number 1 or door number 2, but you will never be allowed to visit door number 2 should you choose door number 1. Sadly, this heavily restricts a game that could have had a great potential as you will never find multi-room puzzles, puzzles that span the length of the game, or be able to enjoy exploring the environment around you. You are locked in a linear rail ride from one predetermined set piece to another with no chance to affect any subtle changes to the plot or events that can transpire.

The game uses the archaic programming method common in VNs where specific plot events trigger specific plot lines via the few text 'choices' you are given. This means that the only effect you will ever have on the game's progression, is picking one text option over another. Everything you do in solving the puzzles is instantly rendered meaningless, as the plot is always locked into one of 6 predetermined outcomes. For a game based on intrigue, treachery, survival, and psychological horror, this proves to be a great detriment for the game, as a single "bad choice" will result in outcomes you can see coming from a mile away, simply because you the player are not allowed the option of picking up an item. That's right. This is a terrible game, because it won't let you pick up a plot critical item. Forcing you replay the game over and over hunting down "right choices". In a genre where every good player knows to loot the very last insignificant nail off a wall, the game binds your hands and prevents you from ever being able to interact with items that simply picking them up would alter the course of the game because it does not allow you to explore, and that is why it is not a good game. Hell, it's not even a game.… Expand
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