Zero Context 4: truth is asleep, post Santa

The words "Zero Context" over a distressed dark blue background. A brown 4 sits inside a large square.

The end of our 999 playthrough draws near as we stumble into the last (for real this time) bad ending. We finally get some answers about who’s been knifing everyone, discuss how the game begins to assert itself as an independent actor, and lament Clover’s continued degradation. Also, where’s Santa??

Next Time on Zero Context:
The true ending, via doors 4 -> 7 -> 1. Also, make sure you:
- Accept the clover bookmark from Santa
- Listen to the Ice-9 story in the freezer
- Ask Seven about Ice-9
- Give Clover the bookmark

Things Discussed
- Telepathic rats
- National hero NorseFTX
- Narrative systems assuming direct control
- YU-NO: A Girl Who Chants Love at the Bound of this World (ELF Corporation, 1996)
- Nate’s Santa fancam
- Bone reveals
- Junpei’s Ace Attorney investigation
- Inverted Saw punishment paradigm
- Forgetting about astrology
- Clover as player analogue
- What if you were the sicko?
- Rejecting the 0 = 6 bracelet reveal because it’s nonsense
- Ejected from the mind palace because the game is ending
- Lotus’ fighting game combos
- Virtual Nightclub (1997) ending song
- The Adventure Game Club

Intro: “9hours, 9persons, 9doors” by Shinji Hosoe
Outro: “Quietus” by Shinji Hosoe

Transcripts will (hopefully) be available for future episodes.

Produced by Axe (@wing_blade_) with cover art by Nathalie (@BOOitsnathalie).

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Send your questions/comments/complaints to questions@kritiqal.com.