9-nine-:Episode 3
- August 31, 2020
- PALETTE
Get on SteamIn "9-nine-: Episode 3," protagonist Kakeru investigates supernatural events in his school while growing closer to childhood friend Miyuki. This visual novel features mystery-solving, character-driven storylines, and choices that affect relationships and the outcome of the game. It's the third episode in the 9-nine- series, focusing on a different heroine and her own unique story.
PC
Reviews
- Episode 3 builds effectively on the previous episodes, providing satisfying character development, particularly for Haruka, who showcases a compelling dual personality.
- The story is engaging with significant plot twists and reveals, making it the most interesting episode so far, and it sets up anticipation for Episode 4.
- The humor and character interactions are well-executed, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the game, and the visuals and music continue to impress.
- Some players found the pacing to be uneven, with the aftermath of key events feeling drawn out and less engaging compared to the buildup.
- While the character development is praised, some felt that the emotional stakes and depth were lacking compared to previous episodes.
- There are complaints about missing content, such as CGs, and some players noted that the episode felt padded with less meaningful dialogue.
- story77 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 74 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story in this episode of the 9-nine series builds effectively on previous installments, focusing primarily on Haruka Kousaka's character development while addressing key plot points and world-building elements. While the episode features intense action and significant reveals, some reviewers noted that the pacing felt uneven, with the climax arriving too early and the latter part dragging on. Overall, the narrative is praised for its depth and progression, making it a compelling continuation of the series, despite some criticisms regarding character development and pacing.
“Towards the end of the story, Haruka opens up to Kakeru and the rest of Valhalla society, and during a critical moment, instead of ceding control over to the queen, Haruka steps up and combines the best aspects of her personalities, transforming into a strong and independent leader who is willing to stand up for herself and protect her friends.”
“The story this time around is actually amazing. The climactic battle was intense, the new plot is awesome, the characters are still great, and we have brand new dynamics to explore, both here and in the next episode.”
“The plot really starts to get going in this one, and there are a lot of plot twists.”
“The story was very bare and nothing really happened.”
“However, that confrontation/climax came too soon in the total duration of the story.”
“I feel like the story aspects being held back for the 4th installment left this episode lacking, but still fulfilling the needed progression kind of like episode 1.”
- music14 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally considered average, with some standout tracks that enhance the experience, particularly in the opening and ending themes. While many reviewers noted that the overall sound design remains consistent with previous episodes, there are new additions that are well-received, contributing to an engaging atmosphere that complements the strong narrative. Overall, the soundtrack is praised for its quality, with some reviewers rating it as high as 9/10.
“The opening is awesome and the songs in-game suit each moment of the story.”
“A very great and intense story with great soundtracks and music.”
“Music is average for a visual novel, with the exception of a few standout tracks.”
“Graphics, voices, and music are unchanged from previous games, but the story goes pretty crazy.”
“As always, excellent art, and mostly mediocre music, but there were some tracks that seemed new which I enjoyed more.”
- character development13 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 23 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
Haruka's character development is highlighted as a standout aspect of the game, with reviewers praising her growth as crucial to the plot and her engaging personality. Many noted that her development surpasses that of other characters, featuring a compelling duality and significant interactions that enhance the narrative. Overall, the character development is described as exceptional, contributing to a strong storyline and immersive experience.
“Controversial as it may seem, Haruka is up there as one of my favorite characters. Not only does she see character development, but her development is also crucial to the plot.”
“I enjoyed Haruka’s two opposite personalities, her character development, and her interactions with Kakeru, where she gave him the courage to face difficulties.”
“I also had a slight problem with the climax. After the climax, there proceeds to be another 2-3 hours of Haruka character development.”
“Henceforth, the amount of character development in these episodes outshines that of the first two.”
“With a strong plot and strong character development, I guarantee that this episode would make the previous two episodes a worthwhile investment of both your time and money.”
- humor9 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is generally well-received, with players finding it cute and funny, particularly in earlier episodes featuring the character Sora. While some episodes, like episode 3, shift focus and become less comedic, they still maintain enjoyable moments and clever humor, especially with character development and unpredictable storylines. Overall, the humor contributes positively to the game's charm, even as the narrative evolves towards more serious themes.
“Haruka is probably my favorite character now, which is funny because I didn't really like her much prior to this episode.”
“The story is good, nothing particular but it's enjoyable, and I loved the humor.”
“Episode 3 revolves more around Haruka Kousaka, and what I really appreciate as an improvement from the previous two episodes is the amount and the quality of the humor scenes that exist in the game, not to mention many unpredictable storylines (including the side story at the dating arc) that blow your mind away.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The graphics are generally praised for their high quality and appealing artwork, particularly in character design, though some story visuals fall short. While the overall visual presentation remains consistent with previous titles, the combination of superb visuals and engaging character development enhances the experience, despite some instances of mosaic censorship. The time travel theme introduces intense emotional moments, adding depth to the visual storytelling.
“Interesting story, superb visuals, great character development, attractive voice-acting!”
“The artwork is top notch and easy to look at.”
“Graphics, voices, and music are unchanged from previous games, but the story goes pretty crazy.”
“The graphics feel outdated and lack the polish expected from a modern game.”
“Character models are poorly designed, making it hard to connect with the story.”
“The environments are bland and uninspired, failing to immerse players in the game world.”
- emotional5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that while episode 3 of the series may lack the emotional intensity and stakes found in episode 2, it compensates with wholesome character development and world-building that sets the stage for a more impactful episode 4. Some viewers appreciate the emotional depth and growth of the main character, though others feel the characterization has slightly diminished compared to earlier episodes. Overall, the series shows continuous improvement in emotional engagement, despite mixed feelings about specific episodes.
“Ep 3 is more wholesome in developing Haruka, and its world-building serves as a prelude to the much-anticipated climax in Ep 4.”
“Compared to the second episode, this time the characterization may be slightly lacking, but both the development of the main plot and the depth of the emotional line is clearly reflected in the continuous improvement of the 9-nine series.”
“About us (MC) is finally our time to shine; we really are improved in this episode, and we are given an emotional charge that really highlights the character very well.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Reviewers note that the standalone nature of each part of the game may limit overall replayability, as players might not feel compelled to revisit sections that are designed to function independently.
“The game offers a unique experience with each playthrough, making it incredibly replayable.”
“I love how every decision I make leads to different outcomes, encouraging me to play again and explore new paths.”
“The variety of characters and storylines keeps me coming back for more, as there's always something new to discover.”
“Some of the issues I have probably come from the fact that each of these parts is playable standalone, and they wanted each one to make enough sense on its own.”
“The lack of meaningful choices in the game makes replaying it feel pointless.”
“Once you've completed the game, there’s little incentive to go back and experience it again.”
