999 sequel!

[Mike Kelehan]

So, we all love Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors. News out of Japan today first indicated that the team was making another visual novel. Then it came out that they were making another visual novel with escape scenes. Now, guess what? It's looking like a full-on sequel.

NeoGAF thread with a bunch of screens showing nine people, each with a wristband with a number on it, and a door with a big ol' 9

3DS and Vita. Fully voiced, so we'll see how THAT turns out for the American version. And, since 999 sold so surprisingly well in the US (I understand it sold more here than in Japan, in fact), we can be confident that there will indeed be an American version.

[Hawkzombie]

Mike, I fucking love you right now. Seriously. I played the CRAP out of 999 and loved every second of it. This fills me with all sorts of girlish glee.

And damn...this gives me a reason to buy a 3DS now

[Blue]

I was royally disappointed in 999. Most of that was my fault as I didn't research it well enough and I thought I was getting something more akin to Hotel Dusk (or Shadowgate, I suppose) and what I ended up with was a game with more cut-scenes than Metal Gear. One of the reasons I finally gave up on MGS is I'd spend more time watching - or in 999's case, reading - than playing and I couldn't do it here either. Cool concept, but I'd really like to see more focus on gameplay this time around. If they can make it closer to 80/20 versus 20/80, I'd definitely pay more attention.

[Hawkzombie]

Originally Posted by Blue

I was royally disappointed in 999. Most of that was my fault as I didn't research it well enough and I thought I was getting something more akin to Hotel Dusk (or Shadowgate, I suppose) and what I ended up with was a game with more cut-scenes than Metal Gear. One of the reasons I finally gave up on MGS is I'd spend more time watching - or in 999's case, reading - than playing and I couldn't do it here either. Cool concept, but I'd really like to see more focus on gameplay this time around. If they can make it closer to 80/20 versus 20/80, I'd definitely pay more attention.

That's just the thing...that's intentional. They're called Visual Novels in japan, and are their own genre in a way. A sub-genre of Adventure games, really. They are pretty much the 'next level' of Choose Your Own Adventure books.

Personally I love that style of gameplay, because I get involved in the story aspect and the puzzles are nice breaks to the cut-scenes. It's not for everyone, though, so I understand why you'd get bored with it.

[Blue]

Originally Posted by Hawkzombie

That's just the thing...that's intentional. They're called Visual Novels in japan, and are their own genre in a way. A sub-genre of Adventure games, really. They are pretty much the 'next level' of Choose Your Own Adventure books.

Personally I love that style of gameplay, because I get involved in the story aspect and the puzzles are nice breaks to the cut-scenes. It's not for everyone, though, so I understand why you'd get bored with it.

Problem is I know that now and would be more okay going in had I researched it a little more up-front. So my dislike is entirely my fault and not a knock on the game at all, just what I was expecting given trailers and the like.

I loved the puzzles and what gameplay there was, I think part of my unhappiness comes from there not being more of it. Cool story concept though and happy to have experienced that.

[Chris_D]

That is pretty cool news. I don't have 999 yet but I plan to grab it if I can get it on a bit of a discount.

[frederec]

I saw the announcement yesterday, but at that time it didn't seem to indicate that this was a full-on sequel. Honestly, whether it's a sequel or just another game of similar quality, I'm on board. Will probably get it for the 3DS since I don't see picking up a Vita immediately.

[MagGnome]

Now I just need to play the first one. I've had it for months.

[Purple Santa]

Originally Posted by MagGnome

Now I just need to play the first one. I've had it for months.

I'd say this is a good game to "play" with your busy schedule due to school. Try it the next time you have the urge for that evil internet you keep playing.

I want to second the love for Mike. I loved 999, I can't wait for the sequel.

[Hawkzombie]

Yeah, it doesn't save anywhere, but it does save incredibly close to where ever you turn it off at. Incredibly handy for someone who only has a little bit of time to advance into the story.

Blue: Fair enough. It is an awesome story (although a little far-fetched in some places ) and I agree in that I wished there were more interactive bits. To me that was the only downfall. The game doesn't last as long as I wish it would have ...I think in one playthrough I got to one of the endings in about 3-4 hours.

[Mike Kelehan]

New trailer released, and yep, it's a sequel!

Originally Posted by Hawkzombie

Yeah, it doesn't save anywhere, but it does save incredibly close to where ever you turn it off at. Incredibly handy for someone who only has a little bit of time to advance into the story.

You can hit start and save anywhere, right at the single line of dialogue you're reading.

[Cactaur]

Not keen on the 3d models. Prefer the old 2d version. And needs moar nekkid frozen cleopatra.

[frederec]

Originally Posted by Cactaur

Not keen on the 3d models. Prefer the old 2d version. And needs moar nekkid frozen cleopatra.

Agreed.

One thing's for sure. If they release a preorder watch to go with this one, I'm not going to miss it.

[Hawkzombie]

You can still get the watch on the website, I believe.

[frederec]

Originally Posted by Hawkzombie

You can still get the watch on the website, I believe.

It's been gone for a while (I did just go check). As I recall, they did a reprint, but I didn't know about it until it had already sold out.

[Hawkzombie]

Originally Posted by frederec

It's been gone for a while (I did just go check). As I recall, they did a reprint, but I didn't know about it until it had already sold out.

Ahhh, see it was the reprint I'd heard of. Poo.

[Blue]

Blarg, I kind of dug that. Maybe if I go into it this time knowing what I'm getting...

[Mike Kelehan]

Originally Posted by frederec

One thing's for sure. If they release a preorder watch to go with this one, I'm not going to miss it.

No kidding. Nobody preordered because nobody knew anything about this game, but then once it came out and word of mouth started spreading, the watch was going for more on eBay than the game itself. If there's any sort of preorder bonus or LE or anything, it's mine.

[Hawkzombie]

Originally Posted by Mike Kelehan

You can hit start and save anywhere, right at the single line of dialogue you're reading.

I am mistaken then! For some reason I seem to recall it starting a little bit before where I would save, but not by a great deal. Oh well, that's even better.

And the trailer fills me with all sorts of joy...Cannot WAIT for this game.

EDIT: Yeah, I found this game in a Gamestop while visiting my folks. Hadn't heard of it, but made a mental note to look it up later. SO glad I took a chance on it.

I don't care if there's a bonus...I just want it

[EWolfmanD]

This will teach me that I should keep checking the handheld forum even though lately there hasn't been much news.

Awesome news. I loved 999 and can't wait for more.

And what's this about a pre-order watch from the first game? I actually knew about the game for a while before it came out since I follow visual novel news, but I never saw anyone mention a watch. If I had known that, I would have pre-ordered instead of waiting to get it cheaper. Argh.