STEINS;GATE: Linear Bounded Phenogram
- February 19, 2019
- MAGES. Inc.
- 2h median play time
Steins;Gate Linear Bounded Phenogram is a collection of stories made for the fans. While some certainly hit harder than others, the different viewpoints allow for an even deeper connection with these beloved characters.
Get on Steam"STEINS;GATE: Linear Bounded Phenogram" is a visual novel spin-off of the popular science fiction series "Steins;Gate." The game features branching storylines and multiple endings, allowing players to delve deeper into the game's world and characters. With a unique focus on the concept of time travel, players must make choices that affect the outcome of the story and ultimately, the fate of the characters.
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Reviews
- The game offers a rich collection of side stories that provide deeper insights into the characters from the original Steins;Gate, enhancing their development and emotional depth.
- The art quality and music are praised, with many noting that the new compositions and visuals are on par with the original game, making for an engaging experience.
- Fans of the series will appreciate the emotional storytelling and the opportunity to explore different worldlines and perspectives, making it a worthwhile addition to the Steins;Gate universe.
- The game is bundled with Steins;Gate Elite, which some players find frustrating as it forces them to purchase a game they may not want in order to access Linear Bounded Phenogram.
- There are numerous translation errors and typos throughout the game, which detract from the overall experience and give it a rushed feel.
- The quality of the individual stories varies significantly, with some being engaging while others feel lackluster or repetitive, leading to an inconsistent experience.
- story107 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story in "Steins;Gate: Linear Bounded Phenogram" is presented as a collection of 11 short, character-focused narratives that explore various perspectives within the established universe, allowing players to experience different worldlines and character backstories. While some stories are compelling and add depth to the original plot, others feel disconnected or less satisfying, leading to a mixed reception regarding their overall impact. Despite some inconsistencies and translation issues, fans of the series generally appreciate the emotional storytelling and character development, making it a worthwhile addition for those seeking more content from the "Steins;Gate" franchise.
“Steins;Gate: Linear Bounded Phenogram nicely complements the main story and does a great job at expanding and developing the cast.”
“The usual light-hearted comedy coupled with strong, emotionally weighty moments makes for some compelling storytelling.”
“Getting to know the story from the perspective of other characters is fun and helps to understand the depths of the series even more.”
“Aside from the constant translation mistakes in the forms of typos and grammatical errors that just get worse and happen more often the further you get into the game, half of the stories don't actually do anything interesting and some, quite literally, don't do anything at all.”
“The non-canonical nature of the game also causes these additional stories to not really integrate with the established storyline, including some blatant inconsistencies with how the time travel mechanics are depicted.”
“This is a steins;gate fandisc, which means more time with well-loved characters, but little main-plot relevant content, and little opportunity for meaningful story arcs because of the format (a bunch of short stories).”
- emotional18 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by touching narratives that explore themes of love, sacrifice, and the complexities of relationships, particularly through the stories of characters like Suzuha, Lukako, and Mayuri. Players find the storytelling to be beautifully written, with a mix of heartwarming and gut-wrenching moments that resonate deeply, despite some minor technical flaws. Overall, the game successfully balances light-hearted comedy with significant emotional weight, creating a compelling and satisfying experience for fans of the series.
“Suzuha's, Lukako's, Moeka's, Tennouji's, and Mayuri's stories were all touching in their own ways that had me emotionally hooked; they're my top 5 favorites.”
“Beautifully written, crazy good emotional payoffs, and absolutely gut-wrenching moments.”
“A collection of emotional and well-written stories, each told from the perspective of a different Steins;Gate character in an alternate world-line.”
- music17 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The music in the game primarily features recycled tracks from the original, which many players appreciate due to their high quality, while also introducing about an hour of new compositions that maintain the same standard. The soundtrack is described as catchy and atmospheric, enhancing the overall experience, and a music player is included for easy access. Overall, the music contributes positively to the game's nostalgic and immersive feel.
“This is not really a bad thing as the original game's music was excellent, so it is a welcome addition to see it used again.”
“The few new added soundtracks were great though!”
“In addition, while the songs from the original soundtrack appear in the game, about an hour of new compositions is present too, for the most part living up to the standard of quality found in the original.”
“As with the artwork, most of the music is recycled from the original game.”
“However, the music files within the program are not readily accessible due to how they are stored.”
“Abstounding music, considering this is just a side game of the franchise.”
- graphics10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game have been praised for their seamless integration of new content with the original art style, maintaining the distinctive aesthetic that fans love. While newcomers may appreciate the updated visuals and additional artwork, returning players might find the changes insufficient to warrant a purchase. Overall, the production value remains high, featuring excellent artwork and atmospheric music that enhance the gaming experience.
“However, the new additions, including new CGs and background art, are seamlessly integrated with what is in the original and perfectly emulate the original game's distinctive art style.”
“Artwork by huke is excellent as always, and Takeshi Abo's soundtrack is as atmospheric as the original game.”
“The length of the game is nothing to scoff at, with my final clear time for finishing all the chapters resting at around 33 hours, and the effort put into making it is on par with the original Steins;Gate in terms of production value, with new music, a new animated opening, new sprite work, some new backgrounds, and a full set of sprites and expressions for Okarin in the original art style, something found in no other game.”
“While this is a really good bundle for newcomers, someone who's already played the original may not want to waste money on buying Elite, which is essentially the same game with anime graphics.”
“As with the artwork, most of the music is recycled from the original game.”
“The new art style grew on me.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its engaging presentation and high-quality sound, featuring 48 tracks that enhance the experience, alongside stunning visuals by huke. However, the non-canonical nature of the game leads to inconsistencies in the storyline and time travel mechanics, which may detract from the overall integration with the established series. Despite these issues, fans of the series are encouraged to experience the game for its impressive gameplay and writing.
“The gameplay, presentation, and writing are great and at times even surpass the mainline games, so anyone that's a fan of the series should definitely give this a go!”
“The presentation is fantastic, sound has 48 tracks which are great and set the mood during gameplay, as well as amazing CGs by Huke, which are simply beautiful and excellent at portraying the situations going on.”
“The gameplay feels very limited and repetitive.”
“I found the mechanics to be clunky and unresponsive.”
“The pacing of the gameplay is frustratingly slow.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mix of genuinely funny, cringy jokes that often contrast with the more serious or emotional storylines, leading to a diverse range of reactions from players. While some plots may feel boring, the humor effectively adds depth and enjoyment to the overall experience.
“Some stories in this game made me laugh, others cry; but I enjoyed experiencing all of them!”
“It's funny, sad, and thought-provoking all at the same time.”
“Half of these plots are so boring, but all of them have legitimately funny, non-anime-esque cringy jokes.”
- character development2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game excels in character development by offering 11 individual stories that delve deeply into the backgrounds and growth of nearly all major characters from the anime, enhancing their realism and emotional depth across various world lines.
“This game has 11 individual stories featuring nearly all major characters from the anime, and it adds much more detail to character development across the different world lines.”
“The characters all feel very real, and there is a lot of character development.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, featuring excellent artwork by huke and a captivating soundtrack by Takeshi Abo that enhances the immersive experience, reminiscent of the original game.
“The artwork by huke is excellent as always, and Takeshi Abo's soundtrack is as atmospheric as the original game.”
“The game's environment immerses you completely, making every moment feel alive and engaging.”
“The haunting melodies and stunning visuals create an atmosphere that draws you in and keeps you captivated.”
