Zero Time Dilemma is certainly one of the most intriguing releases due on 3DS this year, as it promises to answer questions left over from 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors on DS and Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward on 3DS.
As it's a sequel to two of the finest examples of interactive storytelling in recent generations we're rather excited about playing this one. Courtesy of an extensive Famitsu feature more is now known, too - though we previously covered the cast and some interview comments from the game director we don't want to go into the plot details from Famitsu as they could be considered spoilers. However, some lovely screenshots and scans of the magazine feature are doing the rounds and we thought we'd share these below. If you want to avoid all risk of spoilers though, don't scroll down.
With that said, below are some lovely images of Zero Time Dilemma - the screenshots are clearly from the Vita version, but we expect it to look largely the same on 3DS (albeit with a lower resolution).
[source tinycartridge.com, via perfectly-nintendo.com]
Comments 32
Well I can see at least one outfut set up to be censored when it comes to the west. To those that played the other games, does this company censor as bad as Nintendo does or do they leave characters outfits unchanged?
Looks great. I need to get around to replaying Virtue's Last Reward but it really ticked me off. I picked one option (the right option) then reloaded to see what happens the other way. It ruined my file and I wasn't able to load after picking the wrong option. Haven't touched it since... but I was enjoying the story and puzzles.
Reminds me of those flash escape the room games that were popular about 10 years ago... but much better.
Anyway, certainly am interested in this new game so long as it's priced similarly to VLR.
It'd be nice if they could release 999 on DSiware so I could have all 3 downloaded.
Where can I find them translated though
@Spoony_Tech
It seems very unlikely that this would be censored, considering they're not games that are intended to be played by children.
@Dizzard Tell that to the recent cencered Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE.
@Spoony_Tech
The previous games weren't censored. Clothes were left half absent and the gore was definitely a thing as well. It is one of the few games (though this one is 'M' rated) Nintendo didn't find the need to censor and left in as close tact to the originals I believe.
@Spoony_Tech
Aren't "kids" going to be playing that though? I doubt it's going to get an 18 rating.
This game is likely to get a mature rating (the creator even said so himself) so somebody showing a bit of flesh is the least of their "problems" in terms of censorship.
looking forward to this
@Dizzard @legendwaker Ok, thanks!
Wow, this looks really great. I like the change in colour scheme. I just hope it looks like this on 3DS (could these be Vita screenshots?)
@Spoony_Tech what was censored in that one?
VLR was pretty violent and it seems to be a series tradition to have at least one character with voluminous boobs. Heck, Alice's "top" was pretty much just a large necklace to cover the scandalous bits. Mila's top is chaste by comparison.
@Noelemahc Well we already know from images from the last direct that some outfits have been censored. One of the girls that was showing cleavage is now showing zero cleavage as she's been covered up. I usually couldn't care less whats censored but that was laughable what they covered up. I seen worse in Smash tbh.
So, Sigma and Fi are back in this one....weird....at least based off the final ending of Virtue's Last Reward....but I dont want to completely spoil anything
This looks great, can't wait to play it and see how the trilogy ends! Althought, I only played VLR to be fair, I wonder if it will be enough for play the third game or if there will be curve balls from 999 XD
@JedRock "Weird" that Phi and Sigma are in this? Are you sure you played till the real ending the last game? Without spoilers, let's just say that one of the few things VLR made clear about the third game was that Sigma and Phi would have been back in it.
They grey haired guy looks like Luke Skywalker
@BakaKnight ....i mean, last I played it was when it was 1st released....but I recall (man, its hard to discuss without spoilers...screw it, they can read past this lol) somethin along the lines of the youthful Sigma comin out of a capsule and that you were an old Sigma the whole time...SOMETHIN to that effect....i just recall that (old) Sigma looked in the capsule and he was like wtf..and then everyone else was like "wait, who do you think YOU are" or something...
Just started playing Virtue's Last Reward again after a three month break as I happened to stumble across the gamebreaking bug, which really put me off having to play through that sequence again. Hopefully it doesn't happen this time around but I've saved after every puzzle so far, so if it does happen it won't be the end of the world.
@JedRock Then you forgot the key detail of why Sigma was like that XD
I would like to remind you VLR ending in detail, but it's way too many spoilers (and it's so complicated I would just make a mess with my own words ^^; ), I can only assure you, the dialogues immediatly after the scene you mentioned explained very VERY well why Sigma would be in the third game (a little hint is in the scans actually that show how the third game takes place an year after 999 and fortysix years before VLR).
@Spoony_Tech This game won't be censored. Aksys and Atlus, left to their own devices, almost never censor the games they publish (when Atlus censored a couple of CGs from DT2, they were very apologetic about it and almost anyone who saw the censored images would immediately know why they needed to be altered in the Western release). The only reason that mild cleavage in TMS is censored is because Nintendo is publishing it.
999 and VLR don't really have over-the-top levels of gore, but they never shy away from the ugly details of the situation the characters are in. And there is almost always one character with a lot of boobage going on.
@Ralizah Thanks, all this talk is making me want to play 999.......uggh!
@BakaKnight ooooohhh!!! Now that u mention it, I DO kiiiinda recall that....I mean, it really was years ago PLUS the storyline can get confusing, especially when you consider all the possible story paths...that said, did you ever see that mini anime during the VLR promotion? I think this series on the whole would make for an amazing anime!!! But anyway. So you're suggesting that the 3rd game falls in the middle of the trilogy, but will also be a sequel to VLR as well? Interesting...Im excited either way!
@Dizzard
Ahahahaha....Fatal Frame 5.
@Spoony_Tech
Whispers
...do it...
Holy crap it looks good. The minor spoilers are soooo exciting as well.
Tbh there never was much that needed any "western censorship attention", I never found that this game was somehow so raunchy they had to delete pieces. Besides this is more popular in the west by far, they've voiced it's niche release for Japan a couple of times and how it didn't sell well there.
I'll say Mila's outfit is still a bit overdone / too fan servicey, but at least it's not as bad as Alice's costume from before. My preference is for game's female characters to be more tastefully clothed, and while I thought Zero Escape was a fantastic game per story and voice acting (among the best per story games I've seen, near par with Phoenix Wright series), I find it hard to recommend it to anyone due to the costume design and violent / intense moments. More so the violence (worse in 999), but it's an additional factor that I consider when I recommend games.
Though, mechanically speaking, the violence is part of what makes the setting and atmosphere so intense, and some edgy-ness in character design could also aid in that, though it could potentially be toned down and you'd still have the same / similar impact (perhaps also seen by dev's, as Mila's costume is " 'more' chaste" than Alice's). I guess some of that is the tradeoff between being more specialized (more shock and awe or niche) and being more general audience (potential for more sales / recommendations). It's an improvement over Alice's, but perhaps not hit the sweet spot yet though. The general setting and story being matters of life and death and being as intense as it is, it can probably fit well enough with the target audience, as long as it's not too over the top in which it interferes with the story or no longer becomes believable (as immersion is more important per a game like this). The edge here can hint at ulterior motives / manipulation, though it seems too unsubtle to really make her effective at that. Eh, probably analyzing too much.
@JedRock: There's also the final chapter that unlocks once you complete the game. It's seperated from the main time line in the flowchart and I didn't even notice it unlocking before I heard someone else talking about it. It's kind of a teaser for the third game.
@DeltaPeng I liked reading your comment, and I agree with your taste to be honest. The nice thing about the Zero Escape series is, even though they put scantily clad women in the games, they give them character depth, too, so I feel like it balances out.
About the pictures, I've already seen most of these, but these look fantastic!
The graphics (albeit probably from a Vita) look like they're being displayed on a PS3, not a portable console! Hopefully the 3DS release is near this level of beauty!
Man, this has gotten me so excited. I love the rustic feel this art style has, yet it keeps the spirit of the previous titles. Can't wait for summer!
Aw, there's a puppy in the game. Man I hope that puppy doesn't die in this game. I am so looking forward to this.
@Late yea....i unlocked that...but like i said, that was YEARS ago that I played it (3 or 4??) So i dont really remember the details...i mean, I think I just took the ending as an "open to interpetation" since the whole story is essentially based on hypothetical situations
@Spoony_Tech look up clover, from virtue's last reward. That should answer your question
Possible spoilers
So seeing 'Team D' there, with Sigma, Phi, and the third girl, and on the same page also art of Sigma, Phi and Luna from VLR... If that means what I think it means, I am even more excited right now!
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