Virtue's Last Reward (PS Vita) Review

Escape Isn't Going To Be Easy.

The Nintendo DS visual novel game, 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors was a hit and was enjoyed by fans and critics. 999 focused on nine people and their struggle to survive and escape, it was original, bold. and unique. The second volume in the series, Virtue's Last Reward, introduces a new cast, multiple endings, and interesting story. Does VLR have any chances of escaping? Absolutely!

STORY- You are Sigma, a normal college student who ends up being kidnapped and forced to participate in the Nonary Game: Ambidex Edition run by the mysterious Zero, with eight other people, totaling to nine. In order to escape, you must reach 9 BP (Bracelet Points) to use the number 9 door.However, things aren't simple, you must choose to either "ally" or "betray" your partners. If your BP reaches 0 or lower, you die. Similar to it's predecessor, VLR features multiple endings, 24 to be exact, which adds high replay-value. Also, expect some highly unexpected plot-twists. 

Will you choose to ally? ...Or betray?

GAMEPLAY- VLR is divided into two parts, Novel and Escape. During the Novel section, you'll progress through the story.In the escape section, you must enter a room and find clues to solve the puzzles inside it.Once the puzzle is solved, you'll escape from the room and advance. At certain points in the game, you'll decide the fate of certain characters. The choices characters make affect their BP. If both teams choose 'ally' they gain two points, if both teams choose 'betray' they gain none, and if someone chooses 'betray' while the other chooses 'ally' they gain three points where the allied loses two. Hopefully this explains the rules a bit. Also, the Flow system let's you go back to certain points and allows you to take a different route for a better ending, which is greatly helpful.     

Escape sections require careful thinking.
Check for any hidden clues!

                                                           

PRESENTATION- Visually, VLR looks great (it's a visual novel game, after all). Character models and objects are well detailed. Especially the new interface, which is easy to navigate compared to it's predecessor. In terms of sound, it's one of the best. Voices for the characters are excellent and well-done, giving them a lot of personality. The soundtrack is good, having a lot impressive tracks.

Memento Mori: Remember Death

OVERALL- Virtue's Last Reward is a fantastic follow up to 999. The characters are full of personality, the puzzles are challenging and fun, the multiple endings add replay-value, and it's story is full of plot-twists and will hook you for hours. It's one of the best visual novel experiences you'll get.

EXCELLENT