Zero Escape 3 concludes 999 and Virtue's Last Reward in 2016

The fan community surrounding visual novel/graphic adventure Zero Escape might not be enormous, mainly due to it being a bit tricky to play and its stories not being honoured with proper translation into several languages. However, it's obvious that this small community, spread all around the globe, follows Kotaro Uchikoshi's work with an unparalleled worship-like passion; such is the impact of its distorted sci-fi plots, its surprising twists, its puzzling storytelling or its philosophical reflections. If you want your mind to be blown, try playing 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors or Virtue's Last Reward.

By doing so you'll also be getting ready to the long-awaited, just-announced third entry. After a couple of years of uncertainty with Uchikoshi himself almost throwing in the towel, with fans suggesting that pay for the project themselves via Kickstarter, and after a slither of hope emerged earlier this year, Zero Escape 3 is official and will be available next summer for Nintendo 3DS and PS Vita, the same platforms that the second entry debuted on.

'Uchi' himself made the surprise announcement on Aksys Games panel during AX 2015, saying: "Hello everyone. I'm Kotaro Uchikoshi and I have infiltrated this panel to notify you that Zero Escape 3 has entered development".

Indeed, the official description follows the same narrative approach as the games themselves:

"Many government organizations have dismissed our urgent warnings regarding the upcoming game event called Zero Time Dilemma. Recent intelligence has escalated our plans and we have come to the decision to contact gamers about the dangers directly. Our ultimate goal has always been to protect the public from the horrific consequences we have foreseen, but it appears our mission to prevent it from occurring may have failed. It is imperative that you make every effort to prepare yourselves for the oncoming deadly game, so that you may survive the coming apocalypse.

An antidote for the game is predicted to be created, but much further down this timeline, and as such there is no defense from its effects. It will be most easily identifiable on Nintendo 3DS and PlayStation Vita handheld entertainment system, though it is transmittable through the air so the spread may increase even more rapidly through the PlayStation Store and Nintendo eShop.

Do not be tempted by familiar faces, fully voiced cinematics, multiple endings, or voices in both Japanese and English, as those are signs that the apocalypse is nigh. We suggest that you put extensive effort into improving your puzzle solving skills, as they will be vital to your survival.

We at Crash Keys beg for your assistance in notifying everyone you can so that no one is left in the dark about this dangerous game. The world will end up in a tumultuous uproar, and ultimate consequences will be unavoidable unless word gets out. Use all the time available to you before the summer of next year to contact your loved ones and prepare; our intelligence hasn't been able to focus in on an exact date at this time. Do not fear - we are here to protect you and prepare you to our utmost ability so that you may survive. You will survive. We will use all channels available to contact you with updates as soon as we uncover them. You must be ready."

Are you ready for the mind-blowing series grand finale?