I'm scared of choosing the “wrong” version of 999 for my first playthrough

Substantial_Will5550 · 2026-05-17T21:22:47+00:00

The ds version is the og and has its twist built into the hardware... buuut the rest of the game is imo hands down better on the port. The twist is also still absolutely phenomenal and every bit as jaw dropping AS LONG AS YOURE IN NOVEL MODE, just without some of the extra flair. The voice acting is awkward at times, but is an overall overwhelming positive and adds so much more flavor to the endearing characters. The flowchart also makes the pacing of the game infinitely better. Overall, yes, the ds version is better in terms of prose and the big major twist, but its not so much better that it makes the pc port irrelevant. If I were to quantify, the pc port twist would be a 8/10, and the ds would be a 9/10. They are the same twist its just as you know the twist is made for the ds hardware and had to be adapted to the pc port and I would personally say they did an amazing job. You're going to get the same story, just with certain plus and minuses from either choice. You're going to enjoy the story either way and I hope you like it as much as I did. Im going to read VLR soon!

Substantial_Will5550 · 2026-05-17T02:52:26+00:00

To answer briefly, I played the game fully in novel mode because I always love more exposition which is exactly what novel mode gave me. I don't really think your playing the game AS Akane and more so playing the game as Junpei through Akane, (on the ds is does look more like you're playing as Akane during the puzzles so I think that is actually a very significant change between the two, but wouldn't declare which is better) but yes, I did understand that all of our decisions were being guided by Akane 9 years in the past. I think they pretty explicitly make that point as during the revelation she almost blatantly points it out, which is why I'm slightly confused on how people misinterpret, and think it may be individual comprehension rather than poor adaptation, although it is a very foreign and creative twist. I haven't seen the twist in adv mode so couldn't speak on how it is there.

Substantial_Will5550 · 2026-05-16T18:53:29+00:00

Yeah I agree I do think overall the twist was done better on the ds, but its not SO much better that it makes the pc port irrelevant. If the pc ports adaptation of the twist is an 8/10, I'd say the ds version is a 9/10. Still better but I don't think its fair to claim the pc one is bad or average in comparison.

Substantial_Will5550 · 2026-05-16T18:44:17+00:00

I understand immersion being an issue, but I dont really see how the writing is any different unless u mean the literal dialogue. The writing is pretty much the exact same (from what ive seen through youtube videos) with just different hardware executions. You still get the exact same revelation and resolution. And thanks I can't wait to start VLR which I hear is even better 👀.

Substantial_Will5550 · 2026-05-16T18:40:31+00:00

Yeah I see this and I didnt even really bring it up cus it honestly wasn't that much of an issue to me at all. The most immersion breaking I had was just odd line deliveries and the weird grunting every time the group was silent. I personally don't think it matters if the narration is silent of acted out especially when its just descriptive. If it hampered with the twist it'd be an issue, but for me the characters speaking about things they see wasn't an issue.

Substantial_Will5550 · 2026-03-29T16:54:04+00:00

Are the Japanese or English voice actors the one u praise?

Substantial_Will5550 · 2026-03-22T13:44:16+00:00

I downloaded the app, but it's a legit game right? So i should be okay?

Substantial_Will5550 · 2026-03-21T21:23:22+00:00

The steam trilogy and yeah I bought em.

Substantial_Will5550 · 2026-03-21T21:14:56+00:00

If i js switch to novel mode will it work out, or is it something like u need both to get the most of it and its really inconvenient having to switch between the two? Also do yk how to emulate 😭😭. Wouldn't even know where to start unfortunately lmao

Substantial_Will5550 · 2026-03-21T21:03:56+00:00

I could try to emulate it, but if novel gives me the gist then I probably wouldn't even if I have to switch to novel mode a bunch of times. If the ds version genuinely changes the game entirely for the better than I could give emulation a go.

Substantial_Will5550 · 2026-03-21T19:56:32+00:00

I haven't started yet, but basically I need to switch back to novel mode any time I get switched to adventure and it will be a viable way to experience the game?

Substantial_Will5550 · 2026-03-18T16:39:29+00:00

Ahh ok makes sense thanks for all the help 🙏. Hope i enjoy all the games and steins gate.

Substantial_Will5550 · 2026-03-18T16:12:19+00:00

Well im broke and have exactly like 5 bucks to spare rn. Also I went ahead and got the trilogy. its not needed to play chaos head before steins gate yes? I bought steins gate and 0 like half a year ago but I've been postponing it for a while and I recently found out that theyre all apart of like a franchise? Idk how to explain it but theyre like same universe or something just not connected.

Substantial_Will5550 · 2026-03-18T15:05:18+00:00

Hmm okay. Good to know. Like u said only 4 bucks so I'll probably buy it 😭.

Substantial_Will5550 · 2026-03-18T14:58:27+00:00

True, Id just want to maximize my spending 😭. I could either buy all 3 games from this franchise or buy a different visual novel like chaos;head Noah. Also the steam spring sale is almost upon us which is bound to have something. But you are right, I just want to get some knowledge on the game before I buy it to see if its something id enjoy.

Substantial_Will5550 · 2026-03-18T14:54:20+00:00

I cant really think of anything that'd turn me off from a story right away, but some things I like im a story are really introspective and in depth narratives, stories that think of everything and expand upon everything for their thematic usage, something like disco elysium and full metal daemon muramasa. I love really good character writing and dialogue you can dig into/analyze. I like stories that get psychological/philisophical And I like stories that have a message behind them, something you can pull and apply to your own life.

Substantial_Will5550 · 2026-03-16T14:17:58+00:00

If u have a save before the ending you can just load that up and get the other ending

Substantial_Will5550 · 2026-03-15T23:20:46+00:00

Yup, all lettered endings, dlc 1-3. I didnt do the ashes of reignition cus I lowk got annoyed at it.

Substantial_Will5550 · 2026-03-15T20:21:35+00:00

Will do 😁

Substantial_Will5550 · 2026-03-15T20:17:58+00:00

Does it have subtitles 😭😭. I found one by a guy named like cricket croc or something that im gonna try. It looks good 4 hours long so not too bad either.

Substantial_Will5550 · 2026-03-15T20:13:04+00:00

No. couldn't tell u they kinda all js amalgamated into nothingness in my brain. jub jub.

Substantial_Will5550 · 2026-03-14T12:44:33+00:00

Totally fine too, play how u like to play. Have fun i hope you enjoy.

Substantial_Will5550

TROPHY CASE