9-nine-:Episode 3 on Steam - User reviews, Price & Information
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9-nine-: Episode 3 is the latest chapter in this series of supernatural mystery visual novels with the focus now shifted towards a new heroine, Haruka Kosaka.
9-nine-:Episode 3 is a casual, visual novel and dating sim game
developed by Palette
and published by Sekai Project.
Released on August 31st 2020 is available only on Windows
in 3 languages: English, Japanese and Traditional Chinese.
It has received 803 reviews of which 738 were positive and 65 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.6 out of 10. 😎
The game is currently priced at 19.50€ on Steam.
The Steam community has classified 9-nine-:Episode 3 into these genres:
Media & Screenshots
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System requirements
These are the minimum specifications needed to play the game. For the best experience, we recommend that you verify them.
Windows
- OS *: Windows 7/8/8.1/10
- Processor: Core 2 Duo (Core i3 or higher recommended)
- Memory: 4 GB RAM
- Graphics: 1280 x 720
- DirectX: Version 9.0c
- Storage: 3 GB available space
User reviews & Ratings
Explore reviews from Steam users sharing their experiences and what they love about the game.
*9-nine-: Episode 3* continues PALETTE’s ambitious multi-episode visual novel series by shifting the spotlight onto Haruka Kosaka, a quieter and more introspective heroine whose storyline brings a noticeably different emotional texture compared to the previous episodes. Rather than simply repeating the structure that earlier entries established, this installment uses the groundwork already in place—particularly the city of Shiromitsugawa and its mysterious Artifacts—to push the overarching narrative into darker, more investigative territory. The game gradually deepens the supernatural mystery surrounding these powers, tying them more closely to the shadowy organization Rig Veda. This infusion of tension gives the story stronger forward momentum, making it feel like a vital chapter rather than a self-contained side route. The tone, while still sprinkled with slice-of-life and romantic moments, carries a heightened sense of urgency, reflecting how the characters have grown and how the stakes have evolved. At the center of this episode is the dynamic between Kakeru and Haruka, which differs meaningfully from his relationships with earlier heroines. Haruka’s gentle personality and more subdued presence create a slower, subtler build-up, allowing their connection to develop with a quiet sincerity. Her emotional struggles, insecurities, and gradual opening-up are woven delicately into the plot, and the game gives her more internal depth than one might initially expect. Kakeru himself also displays more maturity here; his growing determination to understand the true nature of the Artifacts, protect those close to him, and unravel Rig Veda’s motives makes him feel more proactive and grounded. Their interactions are not just romantic but thematically tied to the broader narrative, giving their route a sense of unity between personal stakes and the supernatural conflict unfolding around them. From a production standpoint, the episode remains visually charming, staying true to PALETTE’s recognizable art direction. Character sprites are expressive, the color palette is warm and inviting, and the CG illustrations—when they appear—elevate key scenes with stylish lighting and composition. While some players may notice that early portions of the game rely more on simple visual pans and fewer CGs, the overall presentation remains polished enough to maintain immersion. Voice acting continues to be a strong point, especially with the inclusion of a fully voiced protagonist, which adds emotional weight to both romantic and tense exchanges. The soundtrack, consistent with previous episodes, balances soft atmospheric tracks with more dramatic cues during confrontations or revelations, helping the story shift smoothly between lighter moments and its growing mystery. The pacing of the narrative benefits from the foundation established by prior installments. Although newcomers could technically play Episode 3 on its own, the emotional beats and character motivations resonate far more strongly for players who have followed the series from the beginning. The opening hour revisits earlier events, but this retreading is handled briskly, ensuring returning fans aren’t bogged down by repetition. Once the story enters its core arc, it becomes more gripping, balancing romantic development with unraveling secrets about the Artifacts’ origins. The structure leans toward a kinetic novel, offering only minimal choice-based divergence, but this tight control allows the writing to focus on dramatic tension and emotional payoff. The final act, in particular, succeeds in harmonizing relationship resolution with critical plot revelations, leaving the reader satisfied while still eager for the next chapter. Overall, *9-nine-: Episode 3* stands as one of the most compelling entries in the series, showing a level of narrative and emotional refinement that sets it apart from its predecessors. Its combination of supernatural intrigue, carefully developed romance, and evolving character arcs creates a rewarding experience that feels both intimate and plot-driven. While minor limitations in resolution options and sparse early CG usage might distract some players, these technical quirks do little to undermine the overall strength of its storytelling. This episode meaningfully advances the world and mystery of Shiromitsugawa while giving Haruka fans a touching, well-constructed route. For those already invested in the series, it is an essential continuation; for fans of character-focused supernatural visual novels, it remains a standout recommendation. Rating: 8/10
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The halfway mark in the series, if you count the "NewEpisode". Coming from the first chapter which had no action, then the second where there was some action, this game kicks it up a notch and does it justice. Of course the plot thickens as most the cards are laid out on the table throughout this chapter. Looking forward to the conclusion.
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✔️ Tested on Steam Deck, it works fine (12/09/2025). 'A' button to advance text and touchscreen/buttons for menu and choices. It was interesting to follow and finally gave us some good action. The story drags too much right after the climax tho, I assume it's because the author wanted to keep the same dating/romance dynamic as previous episodes but it just doesn't fit this one as well.
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Legit the best girl in this series, also the story here really is peak.
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My favourite of the heroines so far - it's really nice to watch her character develop.
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Frequently Asked Questions
9-nine-:Episode 3 is currently priced at 19.50€ on Steam.
9-nine-:Episode 3 is currently not on sale. You can purchase it for 19.50€ on Steam.
9-nine-:Episode 3 received 738 positive votes out of a total of 803 achieving a rating of 8.63.
😎
9-nine-:Episode 3 was developed by Palette and published by Sekai Project.
9-nine-:Episode 3 is playable and fully supported on Windows.
9-nine-:Episode 3 is not playable on MacOS.
9-nine-:Episode 3 is not playable on Linux.
9-nine-:Episode 3 is a single-player game.
9-nine-:Episode 3 does not currently offer any DLC.
9-nine-:Episode 3 does not support mods via Steam Workshop.
9-nine-:Episode 3 does not support Steam Remote Play.
9-nine-:Episode 3 is enabled for Steam Family Sharing. This means you can share the game with authorized users from your Steam Library, allowing them to play it on their own accounts. For more details on how the feature works, you can read the original Steam Family Sharing announcement or visit the Steam Family Sharing user guide and FAQ page.
You can find solutions or submit a support ticket by visiting the Steam Support page for 9-nine-:Episode 3.
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Last Updates| Steam data | 19 January 2026 08:03 |
|---|---|
| SteamSpy data | 25 January 2026 12:02 |
| Steam price | 29 January 2026 04:27 |
| Steam reviews | 28 January 2026 23:59 |
If you'd like to dive deeper into the details about 9-nine-:Episode 3, we invite you to check out a few dedicated websites that offer extensive information and insights. These platforms provide valuable data, analysis, and user-generated reports to enhance your understanding of the game and its performance.
- SteamDB - A comprehensive database of everything on Steam about 9-nine-:Episode 3
- SteamCharts - Analysis of 9-nine-:Episode 3 concurrent players on Steam
- ProtonDB - Crowdsourced reports on Linux and Steam Deck 9-nine-:Episode 3 compatibility
Game modes
Features
Online players
2
Developer
Palette
Publisher
Sekai Project
Release
31 Aug 2020
Platforms