STEINS;GATE 0

95%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,317 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • graphics
STEINS;GATE 0 Game Cover
A worthy follow up to Steins;Gate that even surpasses it in many aspects, while delivering a gripping story through multiple endings.
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"Steins;Gate 0" is a single-player adventure game, serving as a sequel to the acclaimed time-travel game "Steins;Gate." The story revolves around Artificial Intelligence and the creation of 'Amadeus', allowing interaction with stored human memories. This visual novel retains the series' signature scientific fiction storytelling and character development, appealing to both newcomers and existing fans of Steins;Gate.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Play​station Vita
  • Tablet
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

95%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,317 reviews
story212 positive mentions
monetization3 negative mentions
  • Steins;Gate 0 is a worthy sequel that expands on the original story and characters, providing a deeper understanding of the events leading to the true ending.
  • The game features excellent voice acting, a beautiful soundtrack, and improved artwork, making it a visually and audibly engaging experience.
  • The branching storylines and multiple endings add complexity and depth, allowing players to explore different character perspectives and outcomes.
  • The plot can be convoluted and difficult to follow at times, with some plot points left unresolved or poorly explained.
  • The true ending feels rushed and lacks the emotional impact of the original, leaving some players disappointed.
  • The art style has changed from the original, which may be jarring for fans, and some character designs feel inconsistent.
  • story883 mentions

    The story of *Steins;Gate 0* serves as a compelling continuation of the original *Steins;Gate*, exploring the aftermath of protagonist Okabe's failure to save Kurisu and delving into themes of loss, despair, and the struggle for hope. While it introduces new characters and expands on existing ones, the narrative is often criticized for being convoluted, with some plot points feeling rushed or unresolved, leading to a less cohesive experience compared to its predecessor. Despite these issues, many fans appreciate the emotional depth and character development, making it a worthwhile addition to the *Steins;Gate* saga, especially 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.”
    • “Steins;Gate 0 is an incredible piece of storytelling, enough said.”
    • “The story is detailed and complex, yet comprehensible at the same time.”
    • “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 a lot of loose ends and some things feel incomplete.”
  • music102 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its beauty, emotional depth, and ability to enhance the storytelling experience. While some feel it may not be as memorable as the original's soundtrack, the variety and quality of compositions are noted as significant improvements, with standout tracks that resonate well with the game's themes. Overall, the soundtrack is described as fantastic, fitting the mood perfectly and contributing to the immersive atmosphere of the visual novel.

    • “If Mozart lived in present time making game music, it would be this.”
    • “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.”
    • “That said, while it is distinctively Takeshi's writing, a couple of characterizing elements from the original soundtrack are thrown out, which makes this feel a bit alien of an approach, rather than an extension of the sound created in the first game.”
    • “The music does not feel as mysterious and surreal as those in the first Steins;Gate. Personally, I think surreal music is one of the components that made the first Steins;Gate so outstanding.”
  • graphics76 mentions

    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 character designs has been criticized for disrupting immersion. Overall, the visuals are seen as a step back from the original, though some appreciate the new art style after acclimatization.

    • “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.”
    • “Both sounds and visuals are executed mostly flawlessly as you would expect.”
    • “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, however, is sometimes the game reverts certain characters back to their old art style which just doesn't fit the new aesthetic.”
  • emotional73 mentions

    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, particularly through character interactions and development. While some critiques mention 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 that is best experienced after the original.

    • “Steins;Gate was a masterful piece of writing; its characters and plot were gripping, and its ending was emotional.”
    • “The game does an excellent job of making you care about this worldline and the people in it, creating a series of emotional and suspenseful sequences that only work if you played the original game.”
    • “This game is a heart-wrenching masterpiece.”
  • gameplay36 mentions

    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 the core gameplay remains similar to its predecessor, it introduces new features that enhance the experience, such as improved choice mechanics and a focus on character interactions. Overall, players engage more with the narrative and character dynamics than traditional gameplay elements.

    • “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.”
    • “Gameplay-wise, this is similar to Steins;Gate but with a few added features.”
    • “To be honest, there isn't much to be said about visual novel gameplay: you mostly will read through a wall of text.”
    • “The gameplay, if you can even call it that, is simply reading and listening to the voice actors' amazing works.”
    • “Gameplay aspect = boring”
  • character development29 mentions

    Character development in "Steins;Gate 0" is generally praised for its depth, particularly for established characters like Okabe, Maho, Moeka, and Mayuri, who experience significant growth and reveal new facets of their personalities. However, some new characters lack development, and inconsistencies in character arcs detract from the overall experience. While the game builds on the emotional backstories and relationships from its predecessor, it occasionally falters due to pacing issues and reliance on tropes, leading to mixed feelings about the effectiveness of character growth.

    • “That said, I think it provides nice background for how the true ending came about and even more character development for the great cast of characters.”
    • “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.”
    • “Steins;Gate 0 is, like its predecessor, a well-rounded visual novel with no unnecessary fanservice, great character development, great atmosphere, and good music.”
    • “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.”
  • humor24 mentions

    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. Characters like Okarin and Daru provide comedic relief amidst darker themes, and while some moments are humorous, they can also feel jarring or detract from the overall narrative. Overall, the humor is present but varies in effectiveness, contributing to a blend of emotional highs and lows throughout the experience.

    • “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 are still lots and lots of funny moments of the sort that helped make the first game as good as it was.”
    • “Not funny, didn't laugh.”
    • “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.”
  • atmosphere18 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is notably heavier and more melancholic compared to its predecessor, effectively enhancing the emotional impact of both sad and joyful moments. Reviewers appreciate the darker, more intense vibe, which aligns with the narrative's themes and character development, while also praising the improved soundtrack that elevates the overall experience. Despite some criticism regarding pacing and repetitiveness, the game's atmosphere is generally regarded as a compelling and immersive aspect that enriches the storytelling.

    • “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.”
  • grinding4 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while some elements are enjoyable, others are seen as tedious and unnecessary, detracting from the sense of accomplishment. The focus on extensive storytelling can feel excessive, leading to a frustrating grind rather than a rewarding one.

    • “Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding, as it allows you to unlock powerful abilities and gear.”
    • “The grind is challenging but satisfying, making every achievement feel well-earned.”
    • “I love how the grinding mechanics encourage exploration and experimentation with different strategies.”
    • “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 downright 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 everything the game has to offer.”
  • monetization3 mentions

    The monetization of the game is viewed positively, with users expressing relief that it does not feel like a cash grab but rather a genuine sequel that enhances the original experience. Players appreciate the value and quality of the game, indicating that it respects the legacy of the series while providing an engaging experience.

    • “If this is not the best advertising for the game, then I don't know what is.”
    • “I was nervous to try this, afraid that it was just a cash grab, but I am loving the game so far.”
  • stability2 mentions

    Overall, users report a mixed experience with stability; while some found the game free of bugs and glitches, others experienced issues with the fast-forward feature, indicating it may be unreliable.

    • “I found the fast-forward feature to be buggy.”
    • “This game, when I played it, had no bugs or glitches.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    Users note that the game's length and repetitive text conversations can significantly hinder its replayability, making it less appealing to revisit.

    • “The length and replayability of the game are impressive, offering countless hours of enjoyment.”
    • “Each playthrough feels fresh due to the diverse choices and outcomes available.”
    • “The game encourages multiple runs, with different paths and endings that keep you coming back for more.”
    • “This can hamper replayability as you see the same text conversations every time.”
    • “The lack of diverse outcomes makes it feel like a chore to replay.”
    • “Once you've experienced the story, there's little incentive to go through it again.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The optimization of voice acting in the game is highly praised, with Maho's lines and monologues standing out as exceptional, even surpassing those of Kurisu from the original Steins;Gate. The performances of new characters, including Leskinin and Kagari, are also noted for their quality, contributing to an overall enjoyable auditory 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, making it a joy to listen to Leskinin, Maho, and Kagari's performances.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

87% average critic score

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Play time

103hMedian play time
103hAverage play time
103-103hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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