Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors

Game review by Mark Raby, Common Sense Media
Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 17+

Intense, graphic deathmatch; survive by solving puzzles.

Nintendo DS 2010
Rate game

Parents say

age 15+

Based on 2 reviews

Kids say

age 14+

Based on 9 reviews

Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Rate game
  • Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors Game: Screenshot #1
  • Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors Game: Screenshot #2

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this game.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors is an M-rated game in the vein of classic "choose-your-own-adventure" books. In fact, players could very well spend more time reading through dialogue and watching cutscenes than they will actually pushing any buttons or controls. However, the content in these video scenes and text is very graphic in nature. In addition to descriptions and depictions of bloody dead victims, there are multiple uses of the f-word as well as a reference to "pot." Even though the characters in the game appear to be very cartoony and kid-friendly, the content in the game certainly is not.

Community Reviews

PinballWitch
PinballWitch Adult
August 18, 2011
age 16+

A skillfully woven tale of suspense

This is a truly brilliant visual novel that can be best described as "Saw-meets-Titanic": You are a young man who wakes to find himself on a sinking ship along with eight others. To stay alive, you must take risks, make sacrifices, and use your wits to get out alive. By no means is this a kids' game. This game deserves its M-rating. There are graphic depictions of violence and a lot of coarse language. The atmosphere of this game, being a survival-horror title, will be scary. It raises many questions of morality and desperation. Though not nearly as graphic or disturbing as Aksys' other visual novel import, "Theresia," 999 is still quite rough around the edges. The mature mind, however, will find an extremely fascinating and intellectually stimulating experience that will get the gears in your head turning. Definitely a game for the person who knows the difference between right, wrong, fact and fiction.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much swearing
sushiman8
sushiman8 Adult
February 9, 2011
age 13+
999 is one of those rare gems you never know about until you play it. The game is best desribed as a 'visual novel' a interactive videogame that makes you read much text. The basis of the game is like a Saw movie except less gory. this game has many positive effect players engage in complex puzzles and much reading will follow. The game would be rated teen except for the fact they is the F word some but its nothing a 13 yr old dosen't know and the violence is PG-13 at worst.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
See all 2 parent reviews

What’s It About?

In NINE HOURS, NINE PERSONS, NINE DOORS, players awake to find themselves trapped on board a sinking ship. Their character can barely remember how he got there, and suddenly finds himself in the middle of someone's very dangerous game -- a game where losing means death. Stakes are high as players solve logic puzzles and choose from various forks in the road as they figure out the best way to escape from the ship. Eight other characters are trapped and all only have nine hours before the vessel is submerged and drowns everyone. Incorrectly solving a puzzle may lead to death, and players will find other victims through their quest. The story is about survival and avoiding violence, but sometimes it almost appears unavoidable.

Is It Any Good?

Despite the intense nature of the content in Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors, the story is captivating, creative, and exciting. The concept is a bit unsettling, but it is mitigated by the fact that everything is presented in a cartoon setting, easily divorcing it from real life. The perfectly inserted forks in the road and logic puzzles make the unfolding story an interactive experience, but the focus is always on figuring out what will happen next to the characters. The very nature of the content in this game makes it unsuitable for kids and younger teens, but for those who can get past the heavy language, jarring violent descriptions, and occasional images of blood, there is a very intriguing and riveting experience to be had.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how the striking violent content can be used to tell a compelling story, but the non-violent heroes should be considered the stars. What are the effects of violence in the media?

  • How have you used teamwork to get out of a difficult dilemma?

  • What are the first things you should do if you are ever faced with a dangerous situation?

Game Details

  • Platform: Nintendo DS
  • Available online?: Not available online
  • Publisher: Aksys Games
  • Release date: November 16, 2010
  • Genre: Adventure
  • ESRB rating: M for Blood, Drug Reference, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
  • Last updated: August 30, 2016

Our Editors Recommend

For kids who love solving puzzles and mysteries

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate