SECOND RUNNER UP: ZERO TIME DILEMMA
Zero Time Dilemma continues the fantastic visual novel series, featuring a new narrative and fleshing out the bizarre world even further. The game takes place between Virtue’s Last Reward and Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors. A new cast of nine characters has been captured and must survive a series of deadly gauntlets set up by a mysterious figure known only as Zero.
Exploring the nuclear bomb shelter which serves as the game’s setting, escaping the dastardly puzzle rooms, and building relationships with other characters and means that there is always something compelling to accomplish. The puzzles are expertly crafted, and truly make you feel like you are overcoming near impossible odds. Each character is likable unique, with every member bringing his or her own strengths and weaknesses as you work together to try and survive.
The fact that it’s disconnected from the other two games lessens its impact, but it’s still a very strong experience in its own right. It’s easy for newcomers to the series to jump into, and the heavy reliance on puzzles means that those who don’t want to play a strict visual novel have other activities to distract them.
