Don't allow the poor technical aspects of this game fool you. Setting them aside, this game is an absolute masterpiece. You might be surprised that it doesn't treat you like a brainless brat, like most of the games nowadays do. It treats you as an intelligent adult, and also demands you some reading and thinking.

If you like quality Sci-Fi, once you start spotting a glimpse of the full plot, you will be inevitably trapped in the mysteries and twists happening in front of you.

Plot is great, characters are deep, and surprisingly, the game succeeds at creating its own language. One that ties the plot to a videogame. It's impossible to export this story to a book or film. So you should run to buy and enjoy this game, because as Phi would say:

"Elapsam semel occasionem non ipse potest Iuppiter reprehendere"… Expand

A very interesting game. The plot has many twists and a lot of different outcomes, and all the characters are unique and unpredictible. In my opinion it gets a bit to slow paced though as the dialogues can drag on for eternity it seems without you doing nothing but inhaling all the information.

This game is VERY well done. It's not for everyone, though. This isn't like the Professor Layton games. It is a visual novel. Basically, it's a long book on your Vita with some pretty challenging puzzles. The graphics are a little bad, but that's now what this game is about. It is a very deep story that branches out and forces you to learn certain things about the characters before progressing. It is amazingly well written, considering all of the branches this story takes. Although the characters have great voice acting, you will probably not enjoy this game if you don't like reading.… Expand

This game is absolutely superb. You get this game for the story and the atmosphere created and the choices you have to make along the way. Virtue's Last Reward on the Vita boasts an expansive narrative which can be completed in multiple ways with a set of puzzles which range in difficulty and are scalable. If you love a good puzzle game this is certainly it. The game is split about 60 -40 with 'Novel' sections which involve a building up of the narrative and allowing you to make choices about certain characters fates making up the larger chunk. So if you don't like a story which is quite large I wouldn't suggest this game if your the type who likes to jump straight in. However for those who love story based games this game wields an extrodinary narrative that deserves to be highly commended for its well written plot and well done voice acting (although this EU edition only has Jap Dub with Eng Sub) the quality is high, with the story revolving around the 'Prisoner's Dilemna'. A complicated idea to tackle. Two members of a criminal gang are arrested and imprisoned. Each prisoner is in solitary confinement with no means of speaking to or exchanging messages with the other. The police admit they don't have enough evidence to convict the pair on the principal charge. They plan to sentence both to a year in prison on a lesser charge. Simultaneously, the police offer each prisoner a Faustian bargain. If he testifies against his partner, he will go free while the partner will get three years in prison on the main charge. Oh, yes, there is a catch If both prisoners testify against each other, both will be sentenced to two years in jail, This is the prisoner's dilemna and Virtue's Last Reward presents the psychological element of this brilliantly. Never before has a story affected my mind so much in a way that psychologically I'm always questioning the decisions I've made. The aim of the game is quite simple however it is to escape esentially a prison which you have been forced into confinement with by some one who calls themself 'Zero Sr.' however the catch is Zero Sr is amongst the other 8 prisoners and nobody knows which one of them it is. From this point on the story begins to unravel as death, betrayl and mystery are scattered throughout this rich narrative. The 40% of the puzzle sections are also done really well with puzzles being solved by interacting with environment around you as you piece together clues to get a 'key' which will allow you out of a 'game room' which Zero has created for each contestant and forces them to participate in. For the most part these puzzles are large and require quite a few steps to complete ranging from sliding block puzzles, to logic puzzles and beyond. In summary, VLR is a must have for any Vita owner that loves being absorbed in an engrossing story, particularly because it is perfect for playing in the palm of your hand. (Note: Game also available on 3DS, Vita animations and graphics appear visibly smoother and more high res as well as having the inclusion of trophies however some might prefer to use the two screens for easier navigation on the 3DS.) Gameplay: 9 Graphics:9 Presentation: 9 Lasting Appeal and Longevity: 9.5… Expand

A fantastic addition to the somewhat lacking Vita library, Zero Escape hits the right notes at the right times for puzzle fans; interesting cast of characters immersed in an interesting story-line, combined with addictive puzzles and an eerie game soundtrack making for a fantastic experience. Elaboration http://thisisanothercastle.com/2013/03/08/in-a-minute-review-zero-escape-virtues-last-reward/

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

Virtue's Last Reward is a game built on choices, will you ALLY or will you BETRAY? Player's will find themselves deeply immersed in the world, obsessed with the characters and an emotional wreck by the time the game is over. VLR is a phenomenal experience in every way and a must own title for any PS Vita owner. Full Review at: http://geeklifeaus.blogspot.com.au/2013/02/zero-escape-virtues-last-reward-review.html… Expand

This is the most boring game i've ever played. I've been in the game for 5 hours now, and I have completed 4 puzzles in about 30 minutes. So, for 4,5 hours i have read a lot of text and that's it! This is tipically a game for an iOs or Android device for about €2,-. But the price in the stores is €40,-! Ridiculous! The story is boring, it has been done better in movies like House of 9 and and Identity, wich are not that great either. The amount of text you have to go through is insane. If I want to read alot, i pick up a book and go read. If i want to play a game, i actually want to PLAY! I really can't understand why IGN gave it a 9.5/10 and why it's score is so high here on Metacritic. So is it really that bad? Yes, the only good thing i can come up with are the graphics that are pretty good. Characters story can be very deep, but after 3 hours I didn't care anymore. I just skipped all the text because the puzzles are very well done. I wanted to do the puzzles and didn't care about the story at all. If there were more choices to make in the game it would be more interesting. Now i only have the feeling i watch everyhting and don't make a part of anything. So, if you like to read much and have a few challanging puzzles, this is your game. If not, stay the hell away from here.… Expand

Quickly becoming one of my favorite video game series of all time, Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward is the follow to the highly, HIGHLY underrated 999 visual novel/puzzle game released in 2010 in the US. While you can get away with playing this game on it's own, you're doing yourself a disservice by not playing that one first. It tells the story of Sigma and 8 other's who are trapped in a life or death game. I won't give any other details beyond that as discovering what happens on your own is the best part of this game. The other part of the game is the puzzle portion, which is exceptionally well done. I personally played this game for the story and feel that is the main draw behind it, being a visual novel and all. But the puzzles will definitely make you think. I wouldn't suggest playing this if you like your puzzles simple and easy too. Some of these puzzles are not for the faint of heart as you will definitely need to write alot of stuff down to keep up. The main differences between the Vita and 3DS versions are basically graphics or an easier time to click on stuff during puzzles. While the Vita version looks beautiful, it can be a bit difficult when trying to click on small things here and there as the screen doesn't always go where you point your finger. The 3DS version however, does not look anywhere near as good as the Vita does. The 3D portraits of the characters are wonderful and the attention to detail is astounding. This is easily one of the best stories out there right now and, if the quality of the future games in the series stay the same as this, you'll might find that this could turn out to be one of the best visual novels of all time. I can't wait for the next in the series, because there will be another one. But in the meantime, I'll be spreading the word about this series to anyone I see.… Expand

If you played 999 and you loved it as much as I did, Virtue's Last Reward will repay your hype like no sequel ever did. Plot twists. puzzles, character design and gameplay are pretty flawless and the game will keep your eyes stuck on your Vita until you complete every available ending. Absolutely recommended!

I'm sorry, but to be real and short this game is: 1) heavily slow (99% of the time you will read a beeping text) 2) static (quite nothing moves on the screen) 3) terrible graphics (except for the characters) 4) stupid character design 5) english only with japanese speech versus 6) very interesting plots (the story is the ONLY reason I wan't to go on and finish it all) 7) very well done voice acting
8) beautifully realized characters (the only think you can actually watch in this game, expept for their way to dress)
9) puzzles room are fun and intriguing

That's it: a game with a nice core but terribly presented.… Expand

Awesome experience. It is not a title for anybody. There is so few gameplay that I have a problems to call it a game. Most of the time you are just reading story and pressing "next" button. There are few puzzle parts (kind of like old school point and click adventure game) and decisions. But reading is the main part. You can spent 1,5 hour linear reading. Then perform one decisions to branch the story and then read another 1 hour. Then have 20 minutes of puzzles and go back to reading. But the story is great. And I was not able to put it down. This game has most uniquely told story that I ever seen. And after finishing the game my save is showing 42 hours. Definitely worth the money.… Expand

A true triumph in gaming, an excellent sequel to the amazing 999, a great thought provoking story with true heartache if your actions cause a negative event. One of if not the best game on the vita.

Im new to the series and its a fantastic game really, the only downside from me was the little choices to intereact with the other characters, putting that aside outstanding game 100000% recommended.

Incredible story, great characters, great puzzles with 2 levels of reading... well everything is fantastic in this game in fact.
Ah, maybe not everything : I want Zero Escape 3. Now !

As a matter of fact these types of games are not very well known in West. Zero Escape is just simply awesome, It has a twisted and beautiful story which will drag you to the end till even u want to skip sleeping ! the puzzles are way too awesome. Characters n their personalities are very well written. a piece of true artwork. highly recommended to anyone who owns vita. I promise u will have an unforgettable journey !… Expand

OMG! This is a must get! like really!

This is the ultimate version of Virtue's Last Reward, if you like to play it on a bigger and better screen, go for this. It is a very good visual novel, this genre is often ignored in the West.

The puzzles and mini-games were a lot of fun and not impossibly hard. I haven't played a game with a plot this good since the first Bioshock. Loved how you could choose between Jap and Eng voice tracks. Only gripe is that the CG models look a bit strange at times (Clover) and some textures aren't too good. Can't wait for Volume 3!

This game is the bee's knees, truth be told. The puzzles (which most, if not all the gameplay revolves around) are solid, and very intuitive while still maintaining a difficulty that'll make you think more than most games. The story-line is also something to be praised, from the high-quality voice-acting to the astounding script and detailed personality of each character. Fans of the cult classic of 999, a surprise smash hit on Nintendo's DS a few years back should have no qualms about this game as it has everything 999 has done and then some and exceeds at it exceptionally. PSV and 3DS owners should look no further than this game for a truly marvelous handheld experience.… Expand

After finishing the game, my mind has finally started settle down. The twists and turns the plot takes is wonderful. The game even takes the multiple timelines you create by picking ally or betray, or picking one door to go through over the other and wave it perfectly into the story in a way that makes complete sense. The puzzles are very hard but the sense of satisfaction you'll get once you solve them is wonderful. If you want a game where you can turn your brain off, go play some generic shooter. There are millions of them waiting for you. If you want something unique and utterly enrapturing, something that will grip you with its wonderful story and unforgettable cast. A game that will get you thinking about life even when the game is complete: Than turn that brain on,Put that gun and head set down and pop in one of the best games of this year.… Expand

This is the best experience I've had on a mobile device in my lifetime. I bought my Vita to play turned based strategy games like Final Fantasy Tactics, Disgaea, Jeanne D'Arc, as well as Little Big Planet and Super Crate Box.

Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward blew everything I've ever played and experienced in story telling out of the water. This is the first time I've found myself thinking about the game consistently outside playing the game, and really thinking about meanings and motifs. TO ANYONE WHO HAS A VITA OR 3DS. PLEASE BUY THIS GAME, YOU WILL BE SUPPORTING ONE OF THE LAST TRULY CREATIVE GAME DEVELOPERS, AND YOUR LIFE WILL BE ENRICHED AS A RESULT OF PLAYING THIS GAME.… Expand

Fantastic experience! Lord knows the Vita needs more games like this, and I'm just thankful we got this one :) It was compelling, engaging, and had a great plot. What more could you want?

Finally Vita is getting some fantastic titles. Playing Zero Escape is like reading a thriller/mystery book which is 1) fully voice acted, 2) has various mini-games, 3) has great plot. Puzzles alone would make a decent stand-alone game.