Zero Escape [999|VLR|ZTD] Game Systems Analysis

"Is it ethical to create a character like Eric?" Lol

This video actually helped me put into words something I really love about the progression in the series, because, despite the...fraught development history, there are themes present in each game that only work in the context of a broader trilogy. You mentioned how 999 emphasizes player co-operation, that the game could be fairly easily won if everyone worked together, but the fact is so much conflict has arisen because of the differing motives of the various players. I don't feel I need to explain how that is relevant to VLR. And in VLR, the final twist essentially cheapens (in a good way) all the struggle Sigma and Phi went through on the various timelines. Old-Sigma and Akane deliberately set up a game that would necessitate Sigma watching everyone dying over and over again. They made us go through the Luna ending. And that's why the ending of ZTD is so fantastic, despite everything. When Carlos points the gun at Delta, I FELT that. I spent three games being dragged around by people watching everyone die repeatedly. Is it logical to kill Delta? No. But I can't be the only one who had a part of them begging Carlos to pull the trigger. And Zero Escape, at least to me, is a series about motivation, about exploring why people do what they do, why they suffer and inflict suffering, in service of their own agendas. You might say that motivations...are complex.

11:54 AHHHH!! IT'S MR COMPLEX MOTIVES!!

I love this series so much. I don’t hate ZTD either, it had some amazing moments. I think if the art style matched the rest of series others would forgive it’s other shortcomings.. great video!

Don't mind me, just leaving an author's note for myself as to why I saved this video to this particular playlist. Arrow, if you end up making "Black Box" a game rather than just writing a story, please consider how the Spike system helps with the storytelling. How does it relate to the MC's personal progress through the different loops? I mean, it'd be a movement search-action game if it were made, so I think it's obvious how to explore and expand how the Spike system works. Also, this is one of the best explanations for the Prisoner's Dilemma I've ever heard, so watch this again to make sense of it. I can see Hunter having to deal with a Prisoner's Dilemma or a Trolley Problem, so make sure you get better understanding of those things.

This is excellently written. I love these games and I love when people give it the recognition it deserves.

There will never be enough Zero Escape content for me. Thanks for the well written piece!

Amazing analysis of the series that managed to be both comprehensive and fairly spoiler free (for the most part) great job!!

Random 999 appreciation post: I think the first game is still the most immersive out of em. The more realistic looking visuals, the sound design, the slower-paced way characters interact with everything, I genuinely felt like I was IN the ship with Junpei and the others. What a great experience.

I came here from your other video, and I love this. I'm a big fan of the Zero Escape series, and this really provided a lot of insight. Thank you.

This is a really well made video, and I love the Zero Escape series. I didn't realise that you were a small channel until I came to the comments to notice a lack of them. I'm rooting for your channel to succeed,, though video essays are fairly common on YouTube, I don't think there are enough of them about The Zero Escape series, and this is one of the best ones out there. Good job!

Complex motives indeed

A series about a group of people deliberately trying to create a certain timeline by a series of events that could only work if a person can retain information while timeline hopping. It's a brilliant new way of storytelling that basically says "I can have my cake and eat it too, and have a different flavor fresh and ready, and even a flavor I don't like because why the fuck not." I love it

Good analysis!

PS1 IKEA is crazy

Spoilers for ZTD: The fact that there's a literal serial killer and manipulative psycho in the cast, and yet Eric is still the most hated character says a lot. Also, Carlos is best boy and my ship of Phi and Sigma in VLR was nuked from orbit.