9-nine-:Episode 4
- March 19, 2021
- PALETTE
Get on SteamIn "9-nine-: Episode 4," players uncover the mystery of the Artifacts and the villainous mastermind, while following the story of Noa Yuuki. This visual novel is the fourth entry in a series of supernatural mystery games, with each entry focusing on a different heroine. It is recommended to play the past titles in the 9-nine- series first, but it can still be enjoyed as a standalone game.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Episode 4 serves as a satisfying and emotional conclusion to the series, effectively tying up loose ends and providing character development, particularly for Noa.
- The production values are high, featuring a great soundtrack, engaging visuals, and well-executed action sequences that enhance the overall experience.
- The game successfully balances comedy, slice-of-life elements, and intense drama, making it a compelling read that keeps players invested in the characters and their journeys.
- The pacing can feel uneven at times, with some sections dragging on and certain plot points feeling rushed or underexplained.
- The episodic format may leave some players feeling that the story could have been better served as a single, cohesive game rather than split into multiple episodes.
- Some characters, particularly Sora and Kujo, feel underdeveloped in this episode, serving more as emotional burdens rather than fully realized characters.
- story111 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story of the game is a complex blend of emotional depth, character development, and intricate plot twists, particularly highlighted in the final episode, which ties together previous narratives and delivers a satisfying conclusion. While some players found the pacing uneven and the reliance on familiar tropes somewhat clichéd, many praised the writing quality and the ability to evoke strong emotions throughout the journey. Overall, the narrative is engaging, with a strong emphasis on character relationships and a gripping climax that resonates with players, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of visual novels.
“Episode 4 combines all the plot points from the 3 previous episodes into an emotionally gripping and heartfelt conclusion, kind of like the Infinity War and Endgame of the series.”
“I cried, I laughed, I got enraged, frustrated... this story filled my heart with emotions I can't forget.”
“The plot twists really got me in there.”
“However, due to the nature of the story itself regarding alternate worlds, time travel, and time loops, as well as power levels becoming unreasonable, depending on your ability to suspend your disbelief and your personal feelings regarding those types of stories, this could end up being a bit disappointing.”
“But the actual story wasn't that great, and it refused to end.”
“Sadly, some explanations about our power, the villain, and the way we use to finish the threat are a bit rushed, which gives some confusion, and the story really lacks a little about Yoichi; he was a bit superficial. It would be great to have a little backstory for us to understand a little more about his persona.”
- music17 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received high praise for its production quality, with standout original soundtracks (OST), opening (OP), and ending (ED) songs that enhance the overall experience. While some reviewers noted that the music is average for a visual novel, many highlighted specific tracks as exceptional, particularly the fourth OP and new soundtracks introduced in the latter parts of the game. Overall, the soundtrack is considered compelling and effectively sets the mood, contributing significantly to the game's atmosphere.
“The game is worthy of its title as a final episode of the 9-nine series, with its stunning music and twists and turns.”
“Well...the entire soundtrack across the franchise is pretty great, but the 4th opening especially stands out.”
“Something I never mentioned is that the music for the entire series is really top notch from the background music to the opening and ending songs.”
“Music is average for a visual novel, with the exception of a few standout tracks.”
“Apart from that, the graphics, majority of soundtracks, and voices are unchanged.”
“Finally, we arrived at the final stretch of one of the visual novels that surprised me the most; I will talk about three topics: story, characters, and visual/soundtrack.”
- emotional12 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Episode 4 delivers an emotionally charged conclusion that weaves together previous plotlines, evoking a wide range of feelings from despair to joy. Players report experiencing profound emotional moments, including genuine despair and catharsis, though some character arcs feel underdeveloped. Overall, the game is praised for its ability to create a heartfelt narrative filled with lovable characters and impactful encounters.
“Episode 4 combines all the plot points from the 3 previous episodes into an emotionally gripping and heartfelt conclusion, kind of like the Infinity War and Endgame of the series.”
“I cried, I laughed, I got enraged, frustrated... this story filled my heart with emotions I can't forget.”
“We lost the only advantage we had against Iris and we are left in complete despair. This episode really focuses on how fragile the human being is and how the whole emotional burden affected Niimi to a level of breaking his spirit.”
- character development7 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highlighted as a significant strength, particularly with the characters Noa and Yuuki, whose growth is intricately tied to the plot. Reviewers noted that Noa's transformation is especially impactful, making her a standout character despite initial reservations about her archetype. Overall, the combination of well-crafted character arcs and appealing design enhances the emotional connection players feel towards the characters.
“Noa's character slowly grew on me the longer I read; I usually don't like chuuni-esque characters, but she ends up really standing out, which shows how great the character development is.”
“Interesting story, superb visuals, great character development, and attractive voice acting!”
“Just as they did for Haruka in episode 3, Noa undergoes meaningful character development that is also highly plot relevant.”
“Not only the plot, the character development of Yuuki Noa was significant too!”
“Character development makes you cherish them even more.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 83 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are generally praised for their beauty and character design, with many reviewers highlighting the art style as both cute and cool. However, some noted that the visuals related to the story elements could be improved. Overall, the visuals contribute positively to the game's appeal, complementing its engaging narrative and character development.
“The art style is beautiful, cute, and still manages to be cool.”
“Awesome story, visuals, characters, music, and voice acting.”
“Interesting story, superb visuals, great character development, attractive voice acting!”
“Apart from that, the graphics, the majority of soundtracks, and voices are unchanged.”
“The graphics look outdated and lack the detail expected from modern games.”
“I was disappointed by the low resolution textures and bland character models.”
- gameplay5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its innovative mechanics, such as the overdrive feature that reveals narrative branches, enhancing the storytelling experience. Players are encouraged to progress through episodes in order, as new mechanics are introduced that build on previous gameplay elements, resulting in a more immersive and engaging experience compared to earlier series. However, some users note that the gameplay duration is longer than in previous installments.
“I really liked the new mechanic of going into overdrive and seeing all the other branches; I thought that was really cool.”
“The game took the best of its genre's gameplay and turned it into a gripping storytelling device that serves the best of its own tale.”
“The gameplay is taking longer than the previous series.”
“Episode 3 introduces mechanics in 4, so yeah, just play them in order.”
“I can't go in depth with Kakeru without talking about the story and key gameplay elements, so spoilers ahead.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has been criticized for its performance effects, which contribute to a somewhat childish feel during fight scenes.
“The fight scenes are a little too childish, mostly due to the visual novel's performance effects.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the series is a key element that can significantly influence enjoyment, particularly for those who may not be as invested in the mystery aspect. It largely hinges on personal preference for the characters and their comedic interactions.
“The humor in this game is absolutely top-notch, with clever writing that keeps you laughing throughout.”
“I love how the characters' quirky personalities shine through the witty dialogue, making every interaction a joy.”
“The comedic timing in the game is perfect, turning even the most serious moments into laugh-out-loud experiences.”
