Road 96: Mile 0
- April 4, 2023
- Digixart
- 3h median play time
Road 96: Mile 0 is a strong narrative adventure that not only builds on the original, but offers new and exciting gameplay elements.
Get on Steam
Get on Xbox Games Store"Road 96: Mile 0" is a narrative-adventure game that follows the story of two teenagers, Zoe and Kaito, who have different backgrounds and beliefs, living in a luxurious condominium of Petria's elite. As they explore White Sands, their friendship and beliefs will be challenged, leading them to question where they belong in the world. This game is a prequel to the successful game "Road 96" and contains a musical component.
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Reviews
- The game expands on Zoe's backstory and provides more context to her character from the original Road 96.
- The soundtrack is fantastic, featuring great music that enhances the overall experience.
- The visuals and art style are beautiful, maintaining the aesthetic of the original game.
- The gameplay heavily relies on frustrating skating mini-games that detract from the narrative experience.
- The story feels linear and lacks the depth and impact of choices found in the original Road 96.
- Many players found the game short, with a playtime of around 4-6 hours, leading to disappointment.
- story524 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story of "Road 96: Mile 0" is generally well-received, with many players appreciating the deeper exploration of Zoe's backstory and its connections to the original game. However, the integration of rhythm-based mini-games has been criticized for disrupting the narrative flow, leading to a perception that the gameplay detracts from the storytelling experience. While some find the story engaging and emotionally resonant, others feel it lacks the complexity and impact of its predecessor, resulting in a mixed reception overall.
“The story is immersive and will have you hooked.”
“I loved this game and learning more about Zoe’s backstory and some of the characters from the main game.”
“Road 96: Mile 0 is an unexpected masterpiece of storytelling.”
“The mini-games make no sense in context, the story seems rushed and incomplete, and it was overall just really underwhelming.”
“I really wanted to like this game, but I found the skating to be annoying and the story was somewhat interesting but mostly I couldn't get into it because I know Zoe is going to run away; the how and why just isn't interesting me as much.”
“The story is less deep than Road 96's and has far fewer branching paths, but the rhythm games allow for some replayability as you can try to ace them.”
- music176 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The music in "Road 96: Mile 0" has received widespread praise for its quality and variety, with many reviewers highlighting the standout tracks, including a notable contribution from The Midnight. However, the integration of rhythm-based gameplay has been divisive; while some players enjoyed the musical mini-games, others found them frustrating and felt they detracted from the overall experience. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a strong point of the game, though opinions vary on how well it complements the gameplay and narrative.
“The music is fantastic, and I actually enjoyed the subway surfer elements, despite not liking games of that type typically.”
“The soundtrack is nothing to frown upon, reaching heights almost as great as the first game.”
“I love the music in this game!”
“I wanted to like this game but from the terrible mechanics and forced minigames, plain storyline and pretty mid soundtrack and voicing, I just can't convince myself this is a good game.”
“The music game should not have been added.”
“While soundtracks were fascinating (as always), musical rides comprised the majority of the gameplay time.”
- gameplay174 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 74 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Road 96: Mile 0" has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing disappointment over the shift from the original's mechanics to a focus on rhythm-based skating segments, which some found tedious and poorly implemented. While the storytelling and visuals were praised, the new gameplay elements were often seen as shallow and detracting from the overall experience, leading to a perception that the game lacks the depth and engagement of its predecessor. Overall, players who enjoyed the narrative may still find value, but those expecting a similar gameplay experience to "Road 96" might be left wanting.
“This game combines the rhythm runner gameplay of 'Lost in Harmony' with the first-person adventure elements from 'Road 96'.”
“The replay value is through the roof; there's a wide cast of characters with unique stories that breathe life into the world of Petria. The gameplay loop is engaging and interesting because your choices are reflected to you immediately and with impact.”
“Overall, 'Road 96: Mile 0' excels in its storytelling and smooth gameplay and puzzle-solving mechanics.”
“The gameplay is shallow and far from Road 96.”
“I wanted to like this game, but from the terrible mechanics and forced minigames, plain storyline, and pretty mid soundtrack and voicing, I just can't convince myself this is a good game.”
“The developers took away the variability in the gameplay and replaced it with annoying parkour skate minigames that don't make any sense.”
- graphics55 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game have received generally positive feedback, with many reviewers noting improvements over the original, "Road 96," and praising the unique art style and vibrant visuals. However, some players felt that while the graphics were impressive, they sometimes overshadowed the gameplay and narrative depth, leading to a perception of the game as more of an art project than a cohesive story experience. Overall, the visuals are highlighted as a standout feature, despite some performance issues and mixed feelings about certain gameplay elements.
“Big pro for me are the graphics and environment of this game, which is amazing.”
“I think the game graphically looks incredible, especially the music sequences.”
“The art style and the graphics have improved since Road 96, as well as characters' animations no longer looking robotic but more realistic with no reused animations.”
“From minor issues like options in random for the same repeated actions, lip sync and motion capture to major issues with performance and visuals.”
“There are no actual graphics settings and the performance is unstable with framerate dips all the way down to the 20s in open areas.”
“Graphics were improved to a noticeable degree over Road 96; however, animations were a funny story. In some areas, animations were flawless and an improvement over Road 96, while other times characters appeared clay-faced, which is something to note.”
- emotional22 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game elicits mixed responses, with some players finding it touching and nostalgic, while others feel it falls short compared to its predecessor, Road 96. Many appreciate the emotional rollercoaster and impactful storytelling, leading to moments of genuine connection and tears, though some criticize the character development and writing as shallow. Overall, while it resonates with many, it does not consistently reach the emotional depth of the first game.
“🎯 Road 96: Mile 0 is a well-crafted and emotionally impactful experience that provides a good introduction to the Petria world and mechanics of Road 96.”
“It's great for what it is, will emotionally strike a chord with most players in today's political landscape.”
“The story as well is sad and funny, with the ending (at least the one I got) being heartbreaking.”
- replayability17 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed, with some players praising the engaging story and multiple endings, while others criticize the limited impact of choices and short gameplay duration. Many feel that the game lacks significant replay value compared to its predecessor, with some suggesting it is only worth playing again for achievement hunting or if one enjoys specific gameplay elements like rhythm or skating. While there are elements that encourage replay, such as character stories and immediate choice feedback, the consensus leans towards a lack of depth and variety in replay options.
“The replay value is through the roof; there's a wide cast of characters with unique stories that breathe life into the pitiful world of Petria. The gameplay loop is engaging and interesting because your choices are reflected to you immediately and with impact, and honestly, the music and vibes were immaculate.”
“It's short but has great replay value, considering almost every action you take affects the outcome of the ending, so it's hard not to want to replay it after your first go!”
“Simply because it's longer, bigger, and has lots of replay value because of the game's procedural aspects.”
“For the price, it's okay, but I would still recommend getting it on sale. There is little opportunity for replayability since the choices don't have that big of an impact. Personally, I feel like it's only at the end where your choices finally matter, and not even that much.”
“There's less than five hours of gameplay here, including the stupid skating game, and unless you like skating games (I don't), zero replayability, because the skating part is annoying to the point that I have zero desire to replay the rest to see different endings.”
“I played a bit over 4 hours and I have beaten the game; replayability is... slim to honestly more like none.”
- atmosphere15 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
Overall, the atmosphere of the game is a mixed bag; while some players praise its immersive music, visuals, and well-realized world, others feel it lacks the depth and intensity of its predecessor. The shift to a more linear and arcade-like gameplay detracts from the serious tone, leaving some reviewers disappointed with the overall ambiance. Despite these criticisms, many still appreciate the nostalgic return to the '96 universe and its captivating elements.
“However, the music, atmosphere, and characters are well made.”
“The setting, music, and atmosphere are gorgeous, as always, and just being back in the '96 universe was a joy.”
“This prequel to Road 96, a game I loved for its characters, music, and atmosphere, is just amazing.”
“The overall atmosphere of the game is dead from the get-go.”
“A game like that shouldn't open with a dark and intense dialogue that colors the atmosphere in rather dark shades.”
“Unfortunately, the magical and special atmosphere of the first part is missing.”
- grinding14 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 57 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspects of the game to be tedious and frustrating, particularly with the repetitive skating mini-games that interrupt the flow of gameplay. While some enjoy the auto-runner music segments, many feel that the grinding detracts from the overall experience, making it feel unfinished and less engaging compared to its predecessor.
“A bit grindy sometimes.”
“A bit grindy.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The palace one was incredibly frustrating to reset given the first two sections are absolutely nothing and got very tedious to repeat each time I attempted it.”
“The mini games with the skating are just tedious; I hate it and it just doesn't feel anything like the first game, and it's a shame.”
- humor12 mentions
- 92 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a blend of absurdity and corniness, featuring a cast of interesting characters that elicit both laughter and sadness through their interactions. While the dialogue is well-written and effectively balances humor with serious themes, some reviewers felt the overall story lacked depth, particularly in its stakes. Despite this, the game is praised for its enjoyable comedic moments, making it a memorable experience.
“Just like its predecessor, Mile 0 has a great soundtrack and a very good set of interesting and funny characters.”
“The characters are funny as much as they are corny.”
“I loved the interactions; they made me laugh, and at other times, made me sad.”
“Mile 0 is an absurdly comical game that is not funny, portraying a political dystopia as a caricature, and tells the tale of two teenagers who don’t feel like they understand the slightest thing about the political world they find themselves in.”
- optimization11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has been widely criticized, with users reporting severe performance issues, including unstable framerates that drop into the 20s, texture clipping, and artifacts in reflections. Many players noted a lack of graphics settings and overall poor execution, which detracts from the experience despite some enjoyment of the game itself.
“The biggest issue with this game is probably the optimization - bigger performance drops on some maps, but I can overlook that, because, overall, I enjoyed the game.”
“There are no actual graphics settings and the performance is unstable with framerate dips all the way down to the 20s in open areas.”
“It's unoptimized at all, with mirrors and reflections backed with artifacts and texture clipping all over the place.”
“It's unoptimized at all, with mirrors and reflections plagued by artifacts and texture clipping all over the place.”
“No matter what settings, resolutions, etc. (high or low), I couldn't improve the performance.”
“There are no actual graphics settings, and the performance is unstable with framerate dips all the way down to the 20s in open areas.”
- stability7 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting significant issues such as lag, crashes, and bugs, particularly on the Steam Deck, despite claims of full compatibility. Conversely, a few users noted minimal glitches and praised the game's thorough testing, highlighting that their experience was largely free of major stability problems. Overall, the game's stability appears inconsistent, with a divide between those facing severe issues and others enjoying a smoother experience.
“First of all, it's just unplayable on Steam Deck despite 'full compatibility' claims: it's laggy, it's buggy, and it crashes a lot.”
“I hate this new skater/roller gameplay not because I don't like rhythm-based runner games, but because it's poorly implemented, unfair, and just buggy.”
“Tabbing out can cause issues (the logos when opening the game will overlap, and the game just completely freezes).”
- monetization5 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has been criticized as a cash grab, with players feeling that it lacks the depth and quality of its predecessor, Road 96. Many reviewers express disappointment that the focus seems to be on quick financial gain rather than delivering a compelling story or character development, leading to a perception of the game as a cheaply made product.
“My inner self started to yell, 'This is a cheaply made Unity engine game that was a quick cash grab on the success of Road 96.'”
“I hope the developers understand that this looks like a terrible cash grab riding off the success of the first game.”
“I don't normally leave bad reviews, but playing this game made me feel like it was nothing more than a cash grab. I expected a road trip simulator again and got a cheesy skill-check-based Tony Hawk remake. I played through just because I loved the first one.”
- character development4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is visually appealing but often feels underwhelming, particularly with the character Zoe, whose backstory is limited and lacks depth. While her development includes some nostalgic references to the first game, many players express disappointment in the overall lack of meaningful character arcs and backstories beyond her relationship with Kaito.
“I love seeing Zoe's character development and the nice Easter eggs from the first game.”
“While visually appealing and somewhat important for character development at times, they somewhat lessen the experience overall and add a sense of challenge to the game which doesn't really fit the type of game it's supposed to be in my opinion.”
“She honestly wasn't needed in the story, and we barely know anything about her other than she died of cancer and was Kaito's friend. I wish there was more character development than just wanting to get out of Petria and having a friend die.”
“She honestly wasn't needed in the story, and we barely know anything about her other than she died of cancer and was Kaito's friend. I wish there was more character development than just wanting to escape Petria and having a friend die.”
“If you were looking for any meaningful backstories or character development outside of Zoe, you'll be disappointed.”
Critic Reviews
Road 96: Mile 0 Review – Takin’ a Ride with My Best Friend
Road 96: Mile 0 doesn’t set out to expand the gameplay that made the original so unique. It instead seeks to flesh out the world through a smaller, more intimate story that tugs on your heartstrings. Pair this with some radical gameplay sections and awesome music, and you have yourself a fun, if a little short, experience.
70%Road 96: Mile 0 Review – The road less travelled
Overall, Mile 0 just isn’t as strong as its predecessor. It somehow feels both like there were too many and not enough changes made to the formula. Maintaining the dialogue options made the story feel diluted and weak, but abandoning the setting of the open road loses a key part of the game’s identity. It’s a hard spot to be in. This isn’t to say that Mile 0 is a failure, just that it doesn’t manage to improve on the shortcomings of the original or capture what made it work in the first place. The music is still very good and the characters interesting, but letting the player control their actions removes any potential agency and kills what could have been a great story.
55%Road 96: Mile 0 [PC] | REVIEW
Road 96: Mile 0 is a cool experience that returning players will enjoy, though it does lack the impact and intrigue of its predecessor. It’s not that there’s anything bad at all, but rather that the story feels more predictable and linear than the adventure you embark on in the previous game. It does deserve praise for the exciting psychedelic ride sequences whilst the world itself is a treat to explore, but I’d be lying if I said that Road 96: Mile 0 lived up to the high standards of the first game.
70%
