It's kind of like a hard-science sci-fi book, in that, you have to be really ready to read it, without distractions, and really pay attention to what is going on. And, in the case o fthis game preferably have some paper and a pen ready to go for the simple math and hexidecimal conversions that they ask you to do.
The dialog can be cheesy, but somehow, through all of 1 or 3 frames of animation (think Phoniex Wright), they are able to get you involved enough that when there is a count-down or a desperate situation you are somehow emotionally invested, or at least curious as to how things will work out.
It's an intimidating, though not difficult game. I've been treating it like homework, filing away about an hour a night to play it. I'll give my final impressions when I have finished it.
But hey... Escape the Room is a genre... who knew?
Escape the room? Who didn't know?! 
An entire genre built around rooms with no opened doors or windows? Wow... that's something else.
robio said:An entire genre built around rooms with no opened doors or windows? Wow... that's something else.
It's a pretty common adventure trope. Hell, many mainstream adventure games have bits exactly like this in them.
Anyway 999 sounds awesome. I will play it someday. I hope.
^Yeah, I do the math in my head rather than use the calculator. I use pen and paper for the hexidecimal stuff.
While I was playing last night I could not put it down to go to sleep. I just got to the crux of the drama (involving a shower stall).
The Sequel:
aspro said:^Yeah, I do the math in my head rather than use the calculator. I use pen and paper for the hexidecimal stuff.
While I was playing last night I could not put it down to go to sleep. I just got to the crux of the drama (involving a shower stall).
Took the Santa and Lotus route, eh? Brrrr...! Freezing?
...and you think THAT'S the crux of the drama? You ain't seen nothing yet!
I am sooooo stuck at the moment. I refuse to use a FAQ though. Don't want to ruin ANYTHING! 
Really? I FAQ this thing all day and all night.
Not as satisfying. Haven't used one yet. Not planning on it! But... DAMN!
You should. I FAQed it this morning. Last night I FAQ'd it three times. It was great.
Boo! I'm being serious for a change and you're not.
Makes me twice as angry that MOST of the time when I get the answer to a puzzle, IF I get stuck at all, it's usually something completely obvious and it makes me feel dumb!
This particular puzzle is near the end of one of the game paths; there's a peculiar twist I didn't see coming at all, and I --NEED-- to know what happens after the solution! A --VERY-- significant turn of events happened that I never encountered in previous play-thrus, nor did I ever consider could even possibly happen... but I won't say more for fear of spoilers!
Edit: Just in case anyone else has reached or will eventually reach there: It happens in the Captain's Cabin... Which should tell you A LOT, considering who the captain is supposed to be!
. I'm gonna have to take the Aspro route and devote a half hour to an hour on this each day. It really is engaging. I find myself wondering who to trust? Who should I side with? Is this person really dead? Will I see her again?This game is perfect for work.
Yeah, just play it an hour a day and stop where it is logical to do so, like a book. I'm not so emotionally invested with it, quite frankly I'd sacrifice any of these folks to get off the ship (I'm just involved in the adventure game/ mystery aspects of it).
999 Impressions. So first of all, it's not like many games released in the West. From what I understand this type of interactive novel game is quite commercial in Japan, but few (if any to my knowledge) have made it to the West.
More specifically this game is in the Escape the Room genre. Yeah. It exists.
It has a sequel coming alsom which I did not hear about. I have to figure out a way to buy short-run DS games in Australia.
So that's the kind of a needed background coming into the game. In short, it's not something that you will likely be familiar with, or enjoy, unless you are completely in the mood for it, because it also involves Nonary. Didn't think you'd learn so much in just one thread eh? Yeah, math and psuedo-math.
It's a hard sell, but for those that enjoy it, they REALLY enjoy it. It's somewhat of a cult favorite and popular in certain cosplay circles, I imagine because it has a cast of characters that are all stylish and unique in their own way. Did I mention the anime art-style?