Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 85 | 10 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 93% | 87 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 85 | 13 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 88% | 82 | 25 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 72 reviews sampled · 71 total reviews in window · weighted 58.5 up / 8 down · computed 3h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (33)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 70
“There's a lot to like about Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors and Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward. Both games offer well-done plots with unique characters, and the escape room based gameplay is both difficult and enjoyable. At times, the pacing does drag out certain moments a bit too long, leading to lots of furious tapping of the X button to speed up dialogue as quick as possible, yet it's hard to want to skim over anything since crucial information might be missed. Still, this compilation is a great way for folks to catch up on what is arguably one of handheld's hidden gems.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“For newcomers, Zero Escape: The Nonary Games is an essential purchase. You've got two excellent games that tell a wild and wonderful story that will stay with you for a very long time, and combine that with the engaging puzzles and you've got a recipe for a quality experience. For returning fans, it's a tougher sell: your purchase mostly balances on the enhancements of the PS4 edition, in which case we can only confidently recommend the package if you're looking to do a play though of the improved Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“The Nonary Games is a fantastic bundle with games that are both fun to play and very entertaining in the story department. Any fan of puzzles games and visual novels should pick this bundle up without a doubt. Even people looking for a great story should give this a look. It has the makings of a good “starter” visual novel. I can’t suggest it enough. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go play Zero Time Dilemma.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Those who haven't yet experienced either 999 or VLR are in for a real treat. Both games were already excellent in their previous incarnations, but The Nonary Games bundles two definitive editions together in one simple, appealing package.”
read full review ↗ - 100
“The Nonary Games is a compilation of two magnificent games.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Smart without being overbearing, Zero Escape: The Nonary Games continues to set the bar for its genre.”
read full review ↗ - 95
“Zero Escape: The Nonary Games stands as the definitive way to experience two of the best (and criminally underrated) visual novels to date. If you have yet to check out Uchikoshi's brilliant series, now is the time to do so.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“If you’ve already played it, there’s not a whole lot of incentive to dive back in, especially you’ve already experienced all its 20 plus endings. But if you haven't, Zero Escape: The Nonary Games is a great way to jump into the series.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“If you can handle overwrought voice acting, some nasty characters, and thin writing, you’ll enjoy the story. For fans of puzzles, thankfully there is a fast skip button that allows you to skip the overly talky bits and get to the real shining star in Zero Escape: The Nonary Games.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Even though the presentation didn’t get the upgrade it needed, there are options to make it much more appealing to the player. Enjoy some of the most satisfying stories in the Visual Novel genre.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“If you are a major fan of the Zero Escape series, this game is definitely recommended for the added voice acting alone, or just to play it all over again. However, if you already beat the games and are not looking forward to suffering through those puzzles again, it might be best to pass, as there is not much new content added.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Zero Escape: The Nonary Games is an ideal game for those who value twisted stories and puzzles that force the brain to effort. On PlayStation 4 you will not find better this kind of production. The compilation is good enough that even gamers which are not fan of this genre should try it.”
read full review ↗
Cubed3
Push Square
ZTGD
We Got This Covered
Gameblog
PC Gamer
TechRaptor
GamingBolt
GameSpew
Gaming Gamma
Nerd Much?
NEOsite…and 21 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- [PATCH NOTES]4/28/2017Apr 28, 2017
- [PATCH NOTES]4/28/2017Apr 28, 2017
- [PATCH NOTES]4/24/2017Apr 24, 2017
- [PATCH NOTES]4/24/2017Apr 24, 2017
- [PATCH NOTES]4/17/2017Apr 17, 2017
- [PATCH NOTES]4/17/2017Apr 17, 2017
- [PATCH NOTES]3/31/2017Mar 31, 2017
- [PATCH NOTES]3/31/2017Mar 31, 2017
- [PATCH NOTES]3/28/2017Mar 28, 2017
- [PATCH NOTES]3/28/2017Mar 28, 2017