(Japan) 999 Comes to iOS With HD Graphics But No Puzzles

999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors has been released on iOS in Japan. Both iPhone and iPad versions of the game are now available on the Japanese iTunes store, although it seems the game will not be a direct port of the original DS version released in 2009. The mobile version of the game features some updated HD graphics, and is looking pretty snazzy:

In addition to the updated character portraits and new graphics, the mobile version of 999 has switched over to a comic book style format for the novel portions of the game. Probably the handiest new addition, however, is a flowchart like the one present in the game’s sequel, Zero Escape: Virture’s Last Reward. The flowchart feature allows players to skip between different points of the story without having to replay everything again from the beginning. Since 999 has multiple endings and several branching paths based off your decisions, it’s not hard to appreciate the addition of a flowchart:

Unfortunately, all these awesome updates and features come with a catch. It seems that the iOS version of the game will focus on the visual novel element of the game, and has completely removed all the puzzle sections. While the player will still be given choices about which numbered doors to take, the escape section associated with each door will be absent. While this is definitely more than a little disappointing, perhaps, since 999 features such a fantastic plot, the game can stand alone without the puzzle sections. And hey, if you’re really missing those escape portions, you can always whip out your DS. Unfortunately there is no news yet of seeing the mobile version of the game in North America.