Hello, all. I'm here to review a game released back in 2010 that seriously doesn't get the hype it deserves. This game is, without a doubt, the single most amazing game in my DS library. It has topped my obsession with Zelda. And, trust me, I'm in LOVE with Zelda games. It  is seriously that good. So what is this gaming masterpiece? 9 Hours, 9 Persons, 9 Doors, often shortened to "999" or "Triple-Nine".

The storyline is the most gripping part of this game. Never before have I experienced a game, or even an actual BOOK, with a storyline as gripping as this one. You take the role of Junpei, a college student who wakes up on a mysterious ship without knowledge of how he got there. He later learns about what is going on; he is aboard a sinking ship, playing the Nonary Game with eight other contestants. He and the eight other contestants must escape the ship before it sinks within exactly nine hours. One of the other contestants is Akane Kurashiki, Junpei's best friend from childhood. Not long after the beginning of the game do you start to really care about the characters in the game. If you are sentimental, it is recommended that you keep some tissues nearby.

Aside from the story, what IS 999? It is a visual novel. In other words, it is a book with pictures, animations, ect. But why is it a GAME? In between large chunks of the storyline, you have to solve a variety of puzzles in the room that the story cut off on. And believe me; these are no easy tasks to complete. The puzzles are very challenging, particularly towards the end, naturally. These puzzles include searching the room(s) for items, and using them or combining them to complete a certain task. The environments are possibly the most detailed on the DS, and you shouldn't have much trouble finding anything.
999 certainly deserves it's "M" rating. After all, the game does feature a large amount of profanity and a variety of very bloody scenes.
The music is downright gorgeous. In fact, I highly recommend wearing headphones while playing this game. It seriously increases the experience, wether it is a fast-paced action beat for the puzzles or a slow, saddening piano tune for the more depressing parts.
There is only one small flaw with this game. You have to beat the game over and over again if you want to unlock the other endings. There are a total of six endings, but only one is the true ending. This "true" ending cannot be unlocked on the first playthrough; you have to beat the game twice, using alternate paths and different choices, in order to unlock the good ending. It should be noted that I, being very sentimental, am not ashamed to say that I cried twice during the good ending, but in the end, the game somehow made it a happy conclusion.

Overall, I would rate this game a 9.75 out of 10. If you like reading, you will do yourself an amazing favor by getting this game. If you AREN'T a fan of visual-novels, I guarantee this is the single game that will change your mind. Now go to your nearest game-provider and buy this game. You won't regret it.


- StuffMan