Zero Escape: Zero Time Dilemma

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In "Zero Escape: Zero Time Dilemma," nine strangers find themselves in an underground facility, forced to play a deadly game where they must kill six of their own for a chance to escape. Players will explore 3D environments, solve puzzles, and make life-or-death decisions in this cinematic, non-linear narrative game. Featuring returning characters from previous games in the series, players must question their morality and piece together the fractured narrative to unlock multiple endings.

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

83%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,346 reviews

story571 positive mentions

graphics52 negative mentions

Engaging and mind-bending story with unexpected twists.
Interesting character dynamics, especially with returning characters.
Challenging puzzles that provide a satisfying experience.

Poor animation quality and stiff character models detract from immersion.
Confusing non-linear storytelling makes it hard to follow the plot.
Some characters feel unlikable or poorly written, particularly new additions.

story
2,159 mentions
26 % positive mentions
68 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The story of "Zero Time Dilemma" is a complex and ambitious continuation of the Zero Escape trilogy, featuring a fragmented narrative structure that allows players to experience events from multiple perspectives. While it offers intriguing plot twists and character development, many players find the storytelling disjointed and filled with plot holes, making it less cohesive than its predecessors, "999" and "Virtue's Last Reward." Despite its flaws, the game is praised for its engaging narrative and emotional moments, particularly for fans who have followed the series closely.
- “This game is insanity and I lost my mind in my playthrough. I love that insanity; the story was great and I liked the true ending. I feel like it's the most Zero Escape ending you can do and it's a good wrap to the saga. I love this game a lot; it's one of the best visual novels I've ever played.”
- “The fully animated story mode with full voice acting is such a huge improvement on the VLR visual novel segments.”
- “The story is so captivating and the gameplay is well balanced between dialogue, puzzles, and decisions.”
- “The time travel was always weird and full of plot holes.”
- “The story is fragmented and I don't understand the connections.”
- “The writing was somehow incredibly predictable and completely inane at every turn - I was playing with a friend and we were able to predict most plot twists from a mile away, except for the ones which had no buildup, which also happened a fair amount of times.”
graphics
275 mentions
14 % positive mentions
67 % neutral mentions
19 % negative mentions
The graphics in this game have received largely negative feedback, with many reviewers citing poor animations, graphical glitches, and a significant downgrade from the previous titles in the series. The transition to a full 3D art style has been criticized for making characters unrecognizable and lacking the charm of the earlier 2D visuals. While some players appreciate the effort and find the visuals tolerable, the overall consensus is that the graphics detract from the gaming experience.
- “The graphics and gameplay are commendable, as well as the musical score and sound effects.”
- “The graphics are a marked improvement over VLR - I wasn't a fan of the move away from cel-shading to 3D models, especially when their expressions didn't change, but I'm pleased to say the 3D modeling in ZTD is of a much higher quality than VLR.”
- “The visuals are really gorgeous but the story is a bit on the weaker side.”
- “The graphics are hideous - for some reason the devs decided to change from 2D to 3D and it resulted in weird, emotionless character animations with out-of-sync voice acting.”
- “The graphics are dated even at 2016 standards, the story is straight up terrible and this game, overall, is just an enormous betrayal to everything that VTD was leading up to.”
- “The graphics and animation have taken a step backward from the previous game.”
gameplay
245 mentions
20 % positive mentions
76 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Zero Time Dilemma" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its convoluted mechanics and reliance on recycled puzzles, which detracts from the overall engagement compared to its predecessors. While the introduction of the "fragments" system offers a unique non-linear approach to storytelling, it can lead to confusion and disrupt the flow of gameplay, making it feel disjointed. Despite these criticisms, some players appreciate the escape room elements and the integration of decision-making mechanics, though they feel the game leans heavily on cutscenes, resulting in less interactive gameplay than earlier entries in the series.
- “The escape room style puzzles are again the main gameplay element you have, and I think they are super fun and more logical than the previous ones.”
- “Gameplay is simple but effective, very good to play with your partner.”
- “The gameplay is nice and escape rooms improved, but it kinda screwed up with the game's plotline.”
- “The narration and gameplay is needlessly convoluted and somewhat complex, but I guess that's the whole point of the game... but it could be annoying especially when you're nearing the endgame.”
- “Absolutely insufferable characters and an endless amount of lazily patched-up plot holes mashed into never-ending cutscenes, and when you get to some actual gameplay in the form of the escape sequences, those are mediocre as well.”
- “The gameplay is the only part of ZTD that doesn't completely blow.”
music
157 mentions
46 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its quality and emotional impact, with many reviewers highlighting it as a standout feature of the trilogy. However, there are significant complaints about the audio mixing, as the soundtrack often drowns out dialogue, requiring players to constantly adjust volume settings. While the soundtrack includes many remixed tracks from previous games, some players express disappointment over the lack of new compositions, feeling that this reliance on older music detracts from the overall experience.
- “The soundtrack remains my favorite part - the whole trilogy has a really good OST that's stuck with me for longer than I'd care to admit.”
- “The music is amazing, the characters are wonderful, all in all this is a perfect game.”
- “With its solid puzzles, wonderful characters, fantastic storytelling, and kickass music, this is honestly the most fun I've had with a game in a very, very long while.”
- “Audio mixing is terrible and half the time cutscene dialogue is washed out by the soundtrack.”
- “The sound mixing is bad, the music is too loud and often drowns out the dialogue.”
- “I wish I could say my audiovisual woes end there, but so much of this game's music is just reusing old tracks, which, while fine, gets a little too tiring as this game lacks original tracks outside of a few gems and the escape room tracks.”
emotional
79 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it impactful and heart-wrenching, particularly in relation to character backstories and certain plot twists. However, many criticized the execution, citing poor animations and character development that detracted from the emotional weight of key scenes, leading to a sense of detachment. Overall, while there are moments that resonate deeply, the game's emotional delivery is often undermined by technical shortcomings and narrative inconsistencies.
- “Eric comes across as blatantly unlikable at the start of the game, though the more you learn about him, the more sad and heartbreaking you realize his pathetic desperation for love and approval becomes.”
- “This game made me feel an emotion I quite literally do not have the words to describe.”
- “The third, and final, entry to the Zero Escape series delivers a complete experience of emotional rollercoasters, extreme decisions, and unforgettable moments.”
humor
70 mentions
99 % positive mentions
-3 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, often described as unintentionally hilarious due to awkward animations and absurd plot twists. While some players appreciate the deadpan humor and character interactions, others find themselves laughing at the game's shortcomings rather than with it. Overall, the humor adds a unique charm, making the experience entertaining despite its flaws, though it may not resonate with everyone.
- “The deadpan humor that has been present since the first game to somewhat balance the tense atmosphere between the characters is still here, of course!”
- “Honestly, I was so mad after playing this game, but after some time, I think this game is just incredibly funny.”
- “Great pacing, beautifully jank animations, insane plot - it's absolutely hilarious.”
- “The humor in this game falls flat and feels forced.”
- “I expected a lot of laughs, but the jokes just didn't land.”
- “The attempts at humor are cringeworthy and detract from the overall experience.”
character development
49 mentions
24 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing disappointment over the lack of depth and consistency compared to previous titles in the series. While some praised the character designs and voice acting, they criticized the hurried and often superficial development of characters, particularly for returning ones, which left many feeling underwhelmed and disconnected from the story. Overall, the character arcs are seen as weak, with significant potential wasted amidst a convoluted narrative structure.
- “Furthermore, the character development is amazing; the animation for its time is good, and I feel the voice actors did a great job voicing their respective characters.”
- “This is the setup to tell a story with sci-fi themes that goes far beyond the mere concept of escaping, with plot twists and character development that defies the initial premise of the formula.”
- “Seeing those actions animated gives you more time to see the story and character development and less time reading about someone reaching into their pocket or furrowing their brow.”
- “Even though I love the first two games so much, this game feels like trash because of the bad decisions about character design and plotting.”
- “Some of the returning characters have different personalities for weak reasons, and some of the new characters are just plain unpleasant, lacking any kind of real character development.”
- “Character development is a joke compared to 999 and Virtue's Last Reward, and all the jumping back and forth between different characters and events, combined with the vast amount of death scenes in different timelines, make it really hard to care about what happens to any of them.”
atmosphere
35 mentions
51 % positive mentions
40 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its chilling and immersive qualities, enhanced by effective music and sound design that evoke feelings of mystery and tension. While some critiques mention inconsistencies in character lighting and voice acting, the overall ambiance remains compelling, with many players appreciating the evolution of the atmosphere throughout the gameplay. The series is noted for its ability to create a haunting environment that complements its intricate puzzles and character interactions, making it a standout feature despite some narrative shortcomings.
- “But it was worth it, the atmosphere of this visual novel evolves with the time you spend in the game.”
- “The game has its own atmosphere, and the muted sound design helps sell it.”
- “Overall, despite the shortcomings, there are many things I love about this game: cast, writing, voice acting, music, the fragment system, humor, puzzles, decisions, emotional moments, etc. while I think 999 has the best climax and art design and VLR has the best plot twists and dialogue, ZTD has, in my opinion, the best emotional moments and atmosphere.”
- “Or that the lighting on the characters does not fit the atmosphere.”
- “A surprising blow to this game's atmosphere was the very subpar voice acting this time around.”
- “Tl;dr - the change from first-person view to outside observer of events killed the atmosphere and suspense, the game no longer has any meaningful mystery because you're given next to no clues on who's secretly killing people and who's zero until the game is just suddenly ready to reveal their identities, then some other minor gripes.”
optimization
16 mentions
25 % positive mentions
56 % neutral mentions
19 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed feedback, with some players noting a lack of performance options and issues on certain systems, while others appreciated the inclusion of various settings, including widescreen support. Voice acting quality varies significantly, with standout performances from certain actors overshadowed by mediocre dubs, and animation issues affecting lip-syncing but not overall immersion. Overall, while there are optimization concerns, the game's charm and writing help mitigate some of these shortcomings.
- “Just thought I would throw in this quick note here: I was very surprised by the optimization due to a lot of options being realized and put into the game, even an option for widescreen displays, which almost nothing has.”
- “Because of this rough animation, the lip-sync isn't perfect either, though I didn't find it breaking immersion at all. This is mostly because of the excellent writing, the localization team behind this has done a great job, and the well-done performances by the various voice actors.”
- “The graphics are not the best, do not sync up with the vocal performance, but all in all, this is a charming, puzzling, and lovely game for a conclusion to a series I'm very happy I saw through to the end.”
- “It runs horribly on my computer with no way to optimize the game for performance. I don't have a decade to spend waiting to watch the characters get gunned down by gatling guns hidden inside suits of armor for the second time trying to roll a 1.”
- “Feels unfinished; controls are not optimized for the PS5 controller at least (it shows a generic control layout).”
- “The animation is more stilted than a sideshow performance, and most of the voice acting isn't great either.”
replayability
14 mentions
21 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
36 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate the ability to revisit chapters and enjoy the story multiple times, many feel that the lack of engaging puzzles and limited gameplay length significantly diminish its replay value. Some reviews highlight that the experience may only be worthwhile for those with a poor memory or a strong desire to explore the narrative again, while others express frustration with certain game elements that detract from replayability. Ultimately, the consensus suggests that while the initial playthrough is enjoyable, the incentive to replay is minimal.
- “This game also has incredible replay value compared to the other games in the series.”
- “The replay value seems good enough to beat it about six more times or so.”
- “Determining how and why this is happening is the key objective of all these games, with replayability in fact being a critical way of getting all the answers.”
- “The last few fragments just absolutely ruined the game for me, removing all replayability (at least if I did not want to play the game seething with rage) and leaving a bad aftertaste in my mouth.”
- “On the whole, while the story and the mechanics were interesting, it left very little room for replayability despite being a choice-based, story-driven game.”
- “Lack of engaging puzzles, a 20-hour-max play time and no major replayability afterwards really makes it hard to defend the $40 USD price tag.”
stability
13 mentions
23 % positive mentions
-15 % neutral mentions
92 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant graphical glitches, animation issues, and bugs that disrupt gameplay, such as freezing characters and audio problems. While some users experienced a smooth performance on high-end hardware, others criticized the port for its numerous nuisances, including poor controls and frequent crashes. Overall, the game's stability appears to vary widely depending on the platform and individual user experience.
- “The game runs smoothly without any crashes or glitches.”
- “I've experienced consistent performance throughout my playtime.”
- “No frame drops or lag, even during intense moments.”
- “Won't recommend it because it's a very bad port, with all sorts of nuisances, like bugs, freezes and crashes.”
- “Really buggy at times, background music will suddenly stop, or characters will stop talking mid-sentence, or major flickering of background objects whether UI or items you picked up.”
- “Still, there are quite a lot of glitches with Akane's hair where it moves around and twitches on its own at random during cutscenes even when they are paused when you go to the menu.”
grinding
12 mentions
25 % positive mentions
-17 % neutral mentions
92 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, often describing it as a slow and repetitive experience that detracts from overall enjoyment. While some puzzles can be engaging, many users feel that the pacing is hindered by cumbersome mechanics and camera issues, leading to a sense of boredom and irritation, especially in the early stages of gameplay.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding and keeps you engaged.”
- “The grind is satisfying and offers a real sense of progression.”
- “And that means it feels like a pixel hunt, which is tedious, and only serving to slow the pace of the game down further.”
- “The puzzles are sometimes fun, and at other times tedious, repetitive, and bullshit.”
- “Not to mention the story is extremely tedious with the fragment system, the escape rooms are dull in general, and the new style is horrible because of the robotic animations.”