9 Hours 9 Persons 9 Doors - I'm On A Boat...I'm On A Boat...

• Published by: Aksys Games
• Developed by: Chunsoft
• Genre: Visual Novel, Choose Your Own Adventure, Puzzle Game
• Number of Players: 1
• M for Mature: Blood, Drug Reference, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
• Available On: Nintendo DS, iOS

   I am normally sort of a coward when it comes to playing escape games. However, this is an un-timed, multiple ending, find a way out game. Your choices make a difference and so does your interaction with the characters! This is probably, single-handedly, one of the BEST handheld games I've ever played.

 The story goes that you are Junpei, a 21 year old college student who is kidnapped from his home. You wake up in a room with two sets of bunk-beds. You fall off the top bunk and take in the room, noticing the number 5 is written in red paint across a door which is locked. On you wrist is a watch with the number 5 on it. Find a way out. But before you have time to think about how to get out? The window breaks open and water starts to flood the small room. You're on a ship.

  

You aren't the only one playing the game though. You're joined by 8 other players to play the Nonary Game.

From Left to Right: (Back Row) Seven, Ace, Snake, 9th Man      (Front Row) Lotus, Santa, June, Junpei, Clover

Together, you all must make it through the Nonary Game and to safety. Using your general knowledge, the knowledge of your companions, and some basic math skills, you must find a door with the label of 9.

And yes, I said math skills. There's actually a lot of math in here! I'm not very good at math, but it's all very simple, revolving around the number 9, and something called Digital Root. The Digital Root is when you add up all of the numbers together, including when you reach double digits.

 

7 + 2 + x = 5? ....I need to go back to math, that just doesn't make sense...

For example: 1 + 6 + 7 = 14 = 1 + 4 = 5
You can now open a door labeled 5!

This game is one best played and less spoken about. There are so many twists and turns to this game, that you HAVE to replay it over and over and choose different paths to gather all of the information to better understand this game. Stay AWAY from the wikipedia pages and spoilers! This is a fantastic puzzle for your mind to analyze the evidence, character choices, and understand...what happened 9 years ago? Who are these 9 people? And who...is Zero?

You have 9 hours to answer all of your questions.

The verdict?

Overall Rating: 9.5/10

Musical Score: 8/10

Graphics: 9/10

Game Mechanics: 9/10

Story: 9.5/10

Replay Value: 10/10

Comments

Musical Score:Some of it is a little repetitive, not very catchy, and not something I would want to download the OST for. However, it does have some good songs, and it really sets the mood. This game can get DARK.

Game Mechanics: Use your stylus to look around and pick up things. Combine objects. Use search option to inquire more about an object that you already have. If you're having trouble, the characters will give you as much help as they can with their own personal knowledge.

Story: Oh. My. God. This. Story. The STORY is amazing. It really makes you think. It's like a good mystery and suspense novel. However, it is long. It does tend to drag on in some parts or describe things you just don't care about. Junpei and June seem to flirt a lot. However, after you beat the game once? Anything you've already read, you can old the Right D-Pad Button and it will fast forward until you arrive at a choice or something new. So enjoy the story for the first time through.

Replay Value: Again and again and again. I actually haven't finished all of the endings, but I couldn't help but write the review now! I am currently on my third playthrough, and I plan to get all of the endings and solve the mystery.