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STEINS;GATE 0

A worthy follow up to Steins;Gate that even surpasses it in many aspects, while delivering a gripping story through multiple endings.
89%Game Brain Score
story, music
grinding, monetization
95% User Score Based on 2,634 reviews
Critic Score 87%Based on 27 reviews

Platforms

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About

In "Steins;Gate 0," players join Okabe and the Future Gadget Lab members in an alternate worldline, where they focus on developing artificial intelligence named Amadeus. This visual novel serves as a sequel to the acclaimed "Steins;Gate," continuing its legacy of compelling science fiction storytelling and deep character development, offering a satisfying experience for both newcomers and series fans. Interactions with Amadeus reveal memories of a fellow human, leading to moral dilemmas and emotional challenges.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
STEINS;GATE 0 screenshot
STEINS;GATE 0 screenshot
STEINS;GATE 0 screenshot
STEINS;GATE 0 screenshot
STEINS;GATE 0 screenshot
STEINS;GATE 0 screenshot
STEINS;GATE 0 screenshot
STEINS;GATE 0 screenshot
STEINS;GATE 0 screenshot
STEINS;GATE 0 screenshot
STEINS;GATE 0 screenshot
+3

95%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,661 reviews
story425 positive mentions
grinding6 negative mentions
  • Steins;Gate 0 is a fantastic sequel that expands on the original story, providing deeper character development and emotional moments.
  • The game features a compelling narrative with multiple endings that enhance the overall experience and understanding of the Steins;Gate universe.
  • The voice acting, music, and artwork are of high quality, contributing to an immersive and engaging visual novel experience.
  • The story can be convoluted and difficult to follow at times, with some plot points left unresolved or poorly explained.
  • The pacing is uneven, with lengthy scenes that feel unnecessary and detract from the overall narrative flow.
  • Some new characters feel underdeveloped and do not contribute significantly to the story, leading to a sense of filler in certain parts.
  • story
    1,768 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of *Steins;Gate 0* serves as a compelling continuation of the original *Steins;Gate*, exploring the darker themes of loss and despair following the protagonist Okabe's failure to save Kurisu. While it introduces new characters and expands on existing ones, the narrative is often criticized for being convoluted and less cohesive than its predecessor, with some plot points feeling rushed or unresolved. Despite these issues, many fans appreciate the emotional depth and character development, making it a worthwhile experience for those familiar with the original story.

    • “Steins;gate 0 explores this and explains it, whilst telling an amazing and gripping story along the way.”
    • “It doesn't feel like a cheap copy or attempt at creating a sequel to the original; it is a story built on the original game which tells an entirely unique, yet relevant story.”
    • “The story keeps you invested in the characters and it is extremely well done.”
    • “The story is a mess and has a lot of focus on a new character who is written horribly.”
    • “The story suffers from trying to shove in too many ideas and there's a distinct lack of overall focus, especially when compared to the original steins;gate.”
    • “There are some strong points in the story I explained above but ultimately there are a lot of loose ends and some things feel incomplete.”
  • music
    204 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in "Steins;Gate 0" has received widespread acclaim for its quality and emotional resonance, with many reviewers noting that it surpasses the original game's soundtrack in both variety and composition. The score effectively complements the game's atmosphere and narrative, featuring a mix of revamped themes and new tracks that enhance the storytelling experience. While some fans feel the music lacks the memorable impact of the original, overall, it is praised as beautiful and fitting, contributing significantly to the game's immersive qualities.

    • “One of my favorite things about the Steins;Gate games, hands down, is the music.”
    • “The music of this game is also very beautiful, and it will never disappoint the players.”
    • “I love how the original music themes return in revamped compositions and blend nicely with the new themes in a very consistent style.”
    • “The original game's soundtrack suffers from overuse of the same few motifs and it's far too short for a 40+ hour game at around one hour of music.”
    • “Even though they were arguably overused in the beginning, they are the most defining elements of Steins;Gate's musical identity and the fact that they only appear twice in the entire soundtrack (one of them being pretty subtle) creates a great feeling of disconnect.”
    • “The music does not feel as mysterious and surreal as those in the first Steins;Gate.”
  • graphics
    152 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics in "Steins;Gate 0" have received mixed reviews, with many players noting a significant departure from the original's distinctive art style, leading to a more generic anime aesthetic that some find distracting. While there are improvements in artwork quantity and certain visual elements, the inconsistent use of both old and new styles has been criticized for disrupting immersion and pacing. Overall, the visuals are seen as a step back from the original, with some appreciating the new designs while others lament the loss of the unique charm that characterized the first game.

    • “Graphics: steins;gate 0 uses the same pastel style graphics as the previous game and it’s a very visually distinctive style that people either love or hate.”
    • “The artworks and soundtracks are beautiful and awesome too.”
    • “To start with some of the more technical aspects of this game, the artwork, for the most part, is excellent.”
    • “The visuals really let s;g 0 down though.”
    • “On the downside, the art style has changed from the unique original look to a bit more of a generic look and feel.”
    • “Firstly, the change in art style is quite jarring and took a lot of getting used to; what is even more jarring is sometimes the game reverts certain characters back to their old art style which just doesn't fit the new aesthetic.”
  • emotional
    146 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of "Steins;Gate" and its sequel "Steins;Gate 0" is widely praised for its depth and impact, with many players reporting intense emotional experiences, including tears and heart-wrenching moments. The writing effectively explores themes of despair and hope, creating a rollercoaster of feelings that resonate deeply with players, especially those familiar with the original game. While some critiques mention narrative inconsistencies and a less powerful emotional punch compared to the original, the overall consensus is that both games deliver a compelling and memorable emotional journey.

    • “The game does an excellent job of making you care about this worldline and the people in it, and it is able to create a series of emotional and suspenseful sequences that only work if you played the original game.”
    • “This game is a heart-wrenching masterpiece.”
    • “Prepare to be emotionally drained - a couple of the routes are pretty tough to deal with, and I got one of the harshest on my first blind playthrough.”
  • gameplay
    72 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay in this visual novel primarily involves reading text and making choices that influence branching plotlines, with a notable mechanic of interacting with a phone to respond to messages that affect the timeline. While some players appreciate the improvements in choice mechanics and the atmospheric voice acting, many agree that the gameplay remains simplistic and similar to its predecessor, focusing more on narrative than traditional gaming elements. Overall, it is a typical visual novel experience, appealing mainly to fans of the genre and its story.

    • “The difference with the original game is that, in this case, the choices made in this game create entire new plotlines instead of endings, which makes this game a true branching visual novel.”
    • “Gameplay: the main gameplay element, besides reading text, is checking your phone at the right times and responding (or not responding) to the correct messages, which alter the timeline of events.”
    • “In terms of game mechanics, the sequel improved on it quite a bit in my opinion.”
    • “To be honest, there isn't much to be said about visual novel gameplay: you mostly will read through a wall of texts.”
    • “The gameplay, if you can even call it that, is simply reading and listening to the voice actors' amazing works.”
    • “Gameplay aspect = boring”
  • character development
    58 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in "Steins;Gate 0" is a mixed bag, with some characters, particularly Okabe, Rintaro, Maho, Moeka, and Mayuri, receiving significant and impactful growth that deepens their backstories and relationships. However, the development is inconsistent, with some new characters lacking depth and certain arcs feeling forced or poorly executed. Overall, while the game excels in character exploration for many, it struggles with pacing and coherence in its narrative, leading to a varied reception among players.

    • “A different Okabe had to go through a lot of character development, growth, and maturing to become the person who could create the plan that would lead them all to the world line where no one suffers, allowing the original Okabe to deceive the world and change the future without altering established details of the past.”
    • “Great character development for certain characters, particularly Rintaro (this game dives into his depression and anxiety following the events of Steins;Gate), Maho (a new character in Steins;Gate 0 who is a surprisingly good addition), Moeka (you see a different side of her in this game), and Mayuri (I love her story in one particular ending).”
    • “Everything from the game's excellent writing, impeccable pacing, and impactful character development to its striking art style and beautiful soundtrack sets it apart from its contemporaries.”
    • “I really got interested in the story, and despite [spoiler] Reyes not being an interesting character as she doesn't get any character development, she's only here to play as the bad 'guy' [/spoiler] and the lack of explanations on some important plot points (they're not plot holes, just poorly explained), I think I liked this game more than the original Steins;Gate.”
    • “Instead, it gets bogged down in artificial conflict, fan service, and dumb tropes until the end sort of just arrives, Okarin just kind of up and realizing what he needs to do without much character development having happened at all.”
    • “The characters are inconsistent at times [spoiler] (I'm talking about you, Okabe and Suzuha) [/spoiler], and the general lack of character development really hurts.”
  • humor
    48 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding it genuinely funny while others criticize it as forced or cringeworthy, particularly in comparison to the first installment. Notable moments include amusing character interactions and the comedic delivery of English by Japanese characters, though some humor may feel out of place amidst the darker themes. Overall, while the game retains its share of lighthearted scenes, the balance between humor and serious storytelling can be uneven.

    • “Okarin's hilarious mad scientist persona is gone, obliterated by the overwhelming trauma of the first game's sights, and he is constantly suffering from PTSD, but this game still manages to have many warm moments as the focus shifts to family, what makes someone human, and the wider implications of what Okarin discovered about Kurisu's inventions and memories between worldlines.”
    • “Also, Daru's interactions with his future wife Amane Yuki were hilarious and sweet.”
    • “There is humor spread throughout the story, and it is good and not out of place at all.”
    • “There are plenty of other instances where unfunny, cliché anime humor is used to break the serious tone of the visual novel, but for the sake of a more condensed review, I won't cover it.”
    • “This visual novel could have been so much better with less cringey anime humor and a more focused plot that didn't have strange tone shifts.”
    • “Not funny, didn't laugh.”
  • atmosphere
    36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game has shifted from the witty and relaxed tone of its predecessor to a heavier, more melancholic experience that deeply engages players. Reviewers praise the impactful blend of writing, soundtrack, and themes, which enhance the emotional weight of the narrative, though some note that the darker premise can lead to a bleak and exhausting atmosphere. Overall, the game successfully creates a unique and immersive environment that resonates with fans of the series.

    • “Great atmosphere and plot; it makes an already perfect series even better.”
    • “The writing, atmosphere, and soundtrack are, as expected of a sci-adv game, fantastic.”
    • “I feel like they really nailed this aspect; there is a wider range of soundtracks compared to the original visual novel, and they are used in a more efficient manner to heighten the atmosphere in order to bring out the correct emotions from the reader.”
    • “In this branch, the main character, Okabe Rintaro, is already broken - the atmosphere of the game is more gloomy and depressing.”
    • “The non-linear structure causes frustrating repetition of plot points, the atmosphere is constantly bleak and exhausting and there's an overall lack of likability from our protagonist and a lot of the main cast due to the 'darker' premise this time around.”
    • “In SG0, the atmosphere is much more dire and ready to fall apart at any second, and while there are only 2-3 places where the plot can diverge, it does so completely without warning and seemingly without any correlation to what you just did.”
  • grinding
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience, with some elements being enjoyable while others feel tedious and unnecessary. The focus on extensive storytelling can detract from the sense of accomplishment typically associated with grinding, leading to a perception that it is more of a chore than a rewarding challenge.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Some parts of it are good, but other parts feel very tedious or unnecessary, and sometimes even ridiculous and cheesy.”
    • “S;g 0 is just more focused on trying to make sense of everything with additional (and tedious) storytelling, rather than making you feel accomplished by getting through with everything the game has to offer.”
  • monetization
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization of the game is perceived positively, with players expressing relief that it does not feel like a cash grab but rather a genuine sequel that enhances the original experience. Users appreciate the game's quality and narrative depth, which contribute to a satisfying purchase.

  • stability
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, players report a stable experience with no significant bugs or glitches during gameplay. However, the fast-forward feature for text and dialogue advancement has been noted as buggy, which may affect the user experience.

    • “You can fast-forward the text and automatically advance the dialogue, although I found the fast-forward feature to be buggy.”
  • replayability
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Users indicate that the game's replayability is limited due to repetitive text conversations, which detracts from the overall experience. This lack of variety in dialogue can make subsequent playthroughs feel less engaging.

    • “The game's length and replayability are impressive, offering a variety of experiences with each playthrough.”
    • “The replayability factor is high, as each decision leads to different outcomes and storylines.”
    • “With multiple paths and endings, the game encourages players to return for new adventures.”
    • “This can hamper replayability as you see the same text conversations every time.”
  • optimization
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The reviews highlight that the voice acting in the game is exceptionally well-optimized, matching the high standards set by the original Steins;Gate. New characters, particularly Maho, deliver standout performances that enhance the overall experience.

    • “The voice acting is of high quality in this visual novel, just like in the original Steins;Gate. New characters have done exceptional jobs, and it was a joy listening to Leskinin, Maho, and Kagari's performances.”

87%Critics’ scoreBased on 27 critic reviews

Buy STEINS;GATE 0

103h Median play time
103h Average play time
103-103h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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