Is 999 the greatest visual novel of all time?

I played this game recently and it's amazing. The writing is great, the story is mind blowing, and the gameplay is unique and ahead of its time for the genre. Lots of replayability. Now I haven't played the sequels yet, but this ought to take the cake since it started it all. What say you, SW? Am I rite?

Virtues last reward is the better game, but yes 999 is amazing

Never heard of it

Yes

Have you played any other visual novels?

Whenever someone makes a thread, or comment, about something being "the greatest ever" of something, shortly after finishing it, it makes me wonder just how many other things in that same genre they've played.

I know literally nothing about visual novels, but I can tell you 999 isn't considered the absolute best by everyone who is a fan of the genre.

lol this is obviously your 1st visual novel. try playing some other ones then come back and tell us about the "greatest of all time", you newb.

Danganronpa lol

No, Clannad, Air, Steins;Gate exist so it can't. Haven't played Psycho-Pass but I hear it's good. Phantom of Infierno is great as well.

CLANNAD. That's all I had to say.

Yeah, they're cool, but i'd say they're entry level visual novels. Stuff to ease you in the genre. I'm not a fan by all means, but I've played a bunch of them, including the ones you've mentioned.

I'd recommend starting with a couple of full blown visual novels, and the best to get you started with i'd say are Higurashi When They Cry (horror/thriller/mistery) and Umineko When They Cry (supernatural/thriller/mistery). If 999 blew you away, then these two will give you an orgasm.

Haven't played Stein's Gate, heard that one was great as well.

Steins;Gate, bro. It's on Vita, go get it.

I have it lol, it's on the back log.

I'm not nearly qualified to answer but Snatcher is my favourite. It counts.

Heck no

I haven't played tons of visual novels, but I would definitely put 999 near the bottom. It's an okay introduction to the genre, but that's all it is. If you have experience with other PC visual novels, then 999 is a slog by comparison. Muv-Luv Alternative is an actual top tier visual novel that I would consider "greatest of all time."

Hahahahahahahahaha

Not even in the top 10. Arguably in the mid more than anything.

Correct,

Here is the recommendation chart made by ACTUAL fans of the genre.

Yes, a hentai game gets a recommendation over 999. Sengoku Rance is just that damn good.

999 and Zero Escape reminds me quite a bit of Sword Art Online actually. It has its fanbase, but most of its adoring fans arent exactly huge into visual novels. Usually with 999 being their first VN.

@SolidGame_basic: Definitely get to it soon!

The series is my favourite on DS/3DS, but it's nowhere near the best. I like the series more for its combination of escape puzzles and VN, instead of its VN aspects. It's similar to Danganronpa & Ace Attorney, where I enjoy the series due to the combination of investigation & trial aspects with the VN aspect.

Nah. It was a fun ride the first time, but it loses its impact immediately afterward. I actually kinda dislike it now.

My personal favorite however is Katawa Shoujo.

@dynamitecop said:

This is the best VN of all time.

True.

Top 10 visual novels (according to ratings by VN fans)

1. Muv-Luv Alternative
2. Steins;Gate
3. Baldr Sky Dive2 “Recordare”
4. White Album 2 ~Closing Chapter~
5. Umineko no Naku Koro ni
6. Clannad
7. Fate/Stay Night
8. Subarashiki Hibi ~Furenzoku Sonzai~
9. Umineko no Naku Koro ni Chiru
10. Ever17 -Out of Infinity-

999 is further down the list, at number 25. It's a good introduction to the genre, but it's a stretch to say it's anywhere near the genre's best. It's not even the best by the same writer, who wrote Ever 17 before he created the Zero Escape series.

I don't completely agree with the list though. I would rank Clannad higher than that. And I think YU-NO deserves to be in the top 10.

its the only one i've finished so sure. it was still a bullshit garbage game though

Good call on Ever 17.

It is basically Zero Escape, but done before and done better.

Hell no. My own personal opinion puts Fate/Stay Night as the best visual novel out there with Steins;Gate just under it. As other posters have mentioned Ever 17 is from the same studio, but better. It is still a good story and well worth checking out though.

I only played Hotel Dusk and Last window and they are GREAT

Yup, Ever 17 has better writing and storytelling than the Zero Escape series, and is therefore a better visual novel.

But on the other hand, the Zero Escape series has better gameplay than Ever 17 (they both involve decision-making, but Zero Escape one-ups it with puzzles), which makes Zero Escape more accessible to gamers, hence why it's a good introduction to the genre.

Anything Key Studios make.

I say Ace Attorney Phoenix Wright which is a magnificent showcase of sprites that feel like anime characters interacting with each other consolidated by the stupendous soundtrack and it's a great package and remains one of the best if not the best even after all these years. Having said that I have yet to finish either stiens gate and 999.

Excellent game, but I'd put both Steins;Gate and Muv-Luv Alternative above it.