Just finished this game. I think it took quite a bit longer than 9 hours. I'd say more around 12 :3 but I tend to draw out games I like anyway. I get the impression this game kind of kicked off it's own genre off-shoot of some sort. They called it "escape the room" games, somewhere
I know it's not completely original in that regard. But as far as visual novel puzzle mixes go, this was really good. Anyone that hasn't played it probably could compare it to Pheonix Wright games (though I only played the first one), and from what I gather, Professor Layton is probably fairly similar. Though this is a lot darker in tone
And outside of the aforementioned Phoenix Wright, I think this was my first actual visual novel experience outside of a botched attempt at a the fanslation of Radical Dreams way back when SNES emulation was first becoming a thing
Have to say, I was quite surprised and enamored with this game. The characters were all pretty well fleshed out and portrayed, the art style was nice, the puzzles seemed in-and-around the "just right" area where they weren't completely obvious, and the harder ones only stumped me for a little while. I didn't feel overly coddled or challenged, though some were plainly obvious, but in the context it generally seemed more like the person orchestrating the thing just wanted us to have answers more easily, rather than simply just being handed to us
Anyway, anyone else have any fond memories of games of this ilk? I can't wait to play Zero Escape: Virtues Last Reward, though it looks quite different in style, I get the impression its the same premise at least, though it sounds a tad deeper, something about choices in the future affecting the past, and having a ally/betrayal mechanic involved. Should be interesting. And I think teams from the same studio helped make the Dangan Ranpa games, which I'd be interested in trying as well. But I know even less about them. I just always got the impression they were worth it, even if I was going in blind. And after playing this game, I have even more faith in that
Just got a VitaTV as well, so lots of options are available to me
Also considering going back and picking up things like Ghost Trick (which is really highly rated as well) and other random things like Avalon Code and whatnot
Anyway, anyone into darker handheld visual novels?