With the release of AI: The Somnium Files coming up, I've been thinking back to my playthrough of the entire Zero Escape series.
I adore these games. I even like ZTD, which I embrace with open arms. It was a cheesy serial! Yes, it was campy but it walked that fine line so well that it worked wonders.
The game that has not sat well with me though since I played it for the first time was 999. This is the one that most people consider their favorite and there is a strong list of reasons for why this is justified. It's a masterclass in building tension and crafts a setting dripping with atmosphere. The way it blends real life conspiracies and the supernatural to make you feel dread makes you hooked right away. The characters are varied in personality and play off each other well.
However, the true ending sucks. I said it. I honestly rather consider the axe ending or submarine ending as my canon ending. Time has not really been kind on it as the longer I've sat with it the more I kind of hate it.
For the most part, what worked about the game was that it was grounded above all else. Yes, there were hints at the supernatural (which proved out to be fake by the way); however, the game always felt like it was a contained thriller. This ending throws it all out the window and cranks the anime bullshit up to 11. Hear we go with someone taking 10 bullets and surviving because of rage. Here we go with this true love conquers all.
Look, I don't mind romance. But a huge problem is the relationship with Akane and Junpei is horribly undeveloped. Up until the point of the ending, all the two ever did were make some puppy dog eyes at each other. Yeah, it was entertaining and all but when it is thrusted center stage it starts to fall apart. What do these two feel for each other? It says they have a deep rooted connection but all we see is awkward teen conversations and nothing substantial.
Let's compare it to VLR. Phi and Sigma have a much better central relationship. The game gives them ample screentime together, and they grow and learn to appreciate each other. The two find out much more about each other and strike a believable friendship.
But they did provide a reasoning for the Junpei and Akane's connection didn't they? Oh boy...not only is this tacked on at the end as a cheap attempt to get you to believe these two have a connection but also is the stupidest crap I've ever seen. THEY WERE LIKE IN 1ST GRADE. WHAT IS THIS NONSENSE?!?! They shared some animal crackers and solved what happened to the class pet, big whoop. How do they look back with such fondness at memories from such a young age. What do kids even know at that age?
Like I said, their relationship is cute and fluffy and nothing more. Just like a relationship in elementary school. Yet the game banks on it as the crux of the entire conflict. Gone is the creepiness of the ship. Gone is any fear of the characters dying.
If this was touched upon even more maybe it would have worked. They needed to play it more than just a innocent relationship. They needed to explore how that was truly Akane's last real moment in life, which is why she feels so strongly about Junpei. But how is that possible when she is so cold now in reality? Did Junpei thaw her ice cold heart a little? If so, there surely wasn't enough to justify it. Why is Junpei still hung up about Akane? Does he have no game? Who knows?
My point is the ending is nonsensical and turns a straightforward contained thriller into generic anime bullshit. The central relationship is underdeveloped and therefore it made everything meaningless.
That being said 8/10 good game.
I adore these games. I even like ZTD, which I embrace with open arms. It was a cheesy serial! Yes, it was campy but it walked that fine line so well that it worked wonders.
The game that has not sat well with me though since I played it for the first time was 999. This is the one that most people consider their favorite and there is a strong list of reasons for why this is justified. It's a masterclass in building tension and crafts a setting dripping with atmosphere. The way it blends real life conspiracies and the supernatural to make you feel dread makes you hooked right away. The characters are varied in personality and play off each other well.
However, the true ending sucks. I said it. I honestly rather consider the axe ending or submarine ending as my canon ending. Time has not really been kind on it as the longer I've sat with it the more I kind of hate it.
For the most part, what worked about the game was that it was grounded above all else. Yes, there were hints at the supernatural (which proved out to be fake by the way); however, the game always felt like it was a contained thriller. This ending throws it all out the window and cranks the anime bullshit up to 11. Hear we go with someone taking 10 bullets and surviving because of rage. Here we go with this true love conquers all.
Look, I don't mind romance. But a huge problem is the relationship with Akane and Junpei is horribly undeveloped. Up until the point of the ending, all the two ever did were make some puppy dog eyes at each other. Yeah, it was entertaining and all but when it is thrusted center stage it starts to fall apart. What do these two feel for each other? It says they have a deep rooted connection but all we see is awkward teen conversations and nothing substantial.
Let's compare it to VLR. Phi and Sigma have a much better central relationship. The game gives them ample screentime together, and they grow and learn to appreciate each other. The two find out much more about each other and strike a believable friendship.
But they did provide a reasoning for the Junpei and Akane's connection didn't they? Oh boy...not only is this tacked on at the end as a cheap attempt to get you to believe these two have a connection but also is the stupidest crap I've ever seen. THEY WERE LIKE IN 1ST GRADE. WHAT IS THIS NONSENSE?!?! They shared some animal crackers and solved what happened to the class pet, big whoop. How do they look back with such fondness at memories from such a young age. What do kids even know at that age?
Like I said, their relationship is cute and fluffy and nothing more. Just like a relationship in elementary school. Yet the game banks on it as the crux of the entire conflict. Gone is the creepiness of the ship. Gone is any fear of the characters dying.
If this was touched upon even more maybe it would have worked. They needed to play it more than just a innocent relationship. They needed to explore how that was truly Akane's last real moment in life, which is why she feels so strongly about Junpei. But how is that possible when she is so cold now in reality? Did Junpei thaw her ice cold heart a little? If so, there surely wasn't enough to justify it. Why is Junpei still hung up about Akane? Does he have no game? Who knows?
My point is the ending is nonsensical and turns a straightforward contained thriller into generic anime bullshit. The central relationship is underdeveloped and therefore it made everything meaningless.
That being said 8/10 good game.
