Steins;Gate

1. Super_Cloud

   Feb 14, 2018

   10

   This is an amazing game. The sci-fi story is great, the character are great and the music fit every situation. I have the main theme playingThis is an amazing game. The sci-fi story is great, the character are great and the music fit every situation. I have the main theme playing in my head as i write this. This game was an intense roller coaster of emotion, it was painful sometime.… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
2. Jagger

   Jul 12, 2015

   10

   Story - Some of the best writing and storytelling I have ever experienced in a video game, or any medium for that matter, even rivalling theStory - Some of the best writing and storytelling I have ever experienced in a video game, or any medium for that matter, even rivalling the best sci-fi narratives in movies, books, and television. Unlike most shallow sci-fi stories, Steins Gate is hard science-fiction, which goes into detail on how the science works. However, a lot of hard sci-fi usually suffer from being convoluted or lacking characterization. Steins Gate strikes a great balance, dealing with many current scientific theories in an understandable and digestible way without becoming convoluted (there's a glossary to help), yet this never gets in the way of the amazing characterization. The plot twists are also very well-done. Unlike a lot of sci-fi plot twists, the plot twists in Steins Gate don't come from nowhere, but are always foreshadowed and well-explained within the context of the narrative. And because of the strong characterization, making you care for the characters, the story always packs a powerful emotional punch.
   
   Characterization - This is where Steins Gate truly shines. The cast of characters are very well-written and memorable. The star of the show is Okabe, a self-proclaimed "mad scientist" and one of the most likeable protagonists I've ever come across. At first he comes across as being arrogant and delusional, but as we listen to this thoughts, he comes across as a well-developed, three-dimensional person, with human flaws and anxieties beyond his arrogant and quirky exterior. The lead female character Kurisu is also very well-written. She's a mentally strong character, with an intellect rivalling Okabe, and has a well-developed, three-dimensional personality. This makes the relationship and banter between Okabe and Makise immensely enjoyable. The supporting cast are also well-developed and likeable in their own ways, including the naive childhood friend Mayuri, the Otaku nerd Daru, the fake "moe" character Faris, the CRT-obsessed landlord Mr. Braun, the part-time "warrior" Suzuha, etc. Steins Gate makes you care for the characters, adding a great deal of emotional weight to the story.
   
   Gameplay - This is where some of the more traditional gamers might have an issue, but something most visual novel fans should be used to. Like most visual novels, you'll be spending a lot of time reading, with the gameplay mostly limited to making choices and decisions along the way that impact the non-linear narrative. Like most visual novels, the decisions you make have a big impact on how the story unfolds, much more so than non-VN video games. Unlike most RPGs, for example, where the choices usually have very little impact on how the story unfolds, the choices in visual novels like Steins Gate can have major unforeseen consequences and lead you down different narrative paths and timelines. Compared to your average visual novel, Steins Gate adds more interactivity with Okabe's cell phone, which becomes a type of time-texting device in the story. This is where you make your choices, with the way you use your cell phone affecting how the story unfolds, whether it's deciding whether or not to answer calls or read text messages, or how you choose to respond to calls and messages. This innovative gameplay mechanic helps give the game more interactivity than what you'd find in your average visual novel.
   
   Visuals - The visuals in Steins Gate are unique and original. The dark tones, the water-colour art, and the grimy look, all give the game a dark, unique feel. The character design is also unique, such as the eyes having a swirly hypnotic look to them, adding to the game's dark mood. Overall, the art-work is very impressive.
   
   Audio - This is something that visual novels (also called "sound novels") usually excel at, and Steins Gate is better than most. While the voices are only in Japanese, the voice acting is excellent. The voice actors did a great job at portraying the characters, perfectly capturing the personalities, tones, expressions, and emotions. The sound effects are also put to great use, with the right sound effects at the right moments. And the music does a great job of capturing the right mood at the right times.
   
   Pros - The writing, storytelling, and characterization, are some of the best I've seen in any medium, let alone video games. The visuals and audio are excellent. The gameplay, revolving around a time-texting cell phone, is also unique.
   
   Cons - The gameplay is somewhat limited compared to your average video game. There's a lot of reading, for those not used to reading.
   
   Overall - Steins Gate is a masterpiece. Highly recommended to anyone interested in science fiction, non-linear storytelling, or just a great story.… Expand

   • 7 of 7 users found this helpful
4. Kaprawiec

   Oct 9, 2016

   10

   Yes, this is simply the best Visual Novel game I have ever played, and one of the best story driven games. It starts of slow but in time itYes, this is simply the best Visual Novel game I have ever played, and one of the best story driven games. It starts of slow but in time it evolves into something amazing. I just cant praise it enough, I love the story, characters, graphics, overall sound (music, voice acting).
   It makes me want to review all my previous scores on metacritic, because it deserves higher score than 99% of all other games I've played (but I'm to lazy to do that :D). And the fact, that it's VN makes this game an instant ageless classic.… Expand

   • 2 of 2 users found this helpful
5. Gwyndolin

   Nov 15, 2015

   10

   Hands down the best Visual Novel I have ever read. I'm not even a huge fan of sci-fi, especially Time Travel sci-fi, but this one just does itHands down the best Visual Novel I have ever read. I'm not even a huge fan of sci-fi, especially Time Travel sci-fi, but this one just does it so well!
   Be warned, this visual novel has no 'game play' other than choosing replies to text messages and whether or not to make/take phone calls, these actions can trigger optional scenes and determine the ending you will reach.
   
   ++The writing is intelligent, humorous, and detailed. Can be enjoyed more if you are somewhat familiar with Japanese geek culture and memes (if not it's ok the game actually has its own little **** in its menu to explain some of the concepts).
   +The voice acting is some of the best I have ever heard. Sometimes I wish it wasn't so good so I wouldn't feel bad skipping the dialogue. Although the appreciation for it would have been way less if you are not familiar with Japanese voice acting.
   +The music is superb and really helps bringing out the emotions in the story.
   - One of the 5 Alternate Endings was quite awful and really rubs me the wrong way on many levels, but that's just one of the alternate endings. That is forgivable because the True Ending and the rest of the 4 Alternate Endings are satisfying.
   
   I highly recommend to playing the game first without any guidance, then after that, refer to the 100% Guide to reach the True Ending.
   
   The game took me around 50 hours, although I am a slow reader, listened to most of the voiced lines, and spent some idle time on thinking and learning some of the science-y concepts (completely optional, you're not gonna feel like an idiot and get lost in the story just because you don't understand some of the science concepts.)
   
   Again, if you like Visual novels at all, you must give this a try.… Expand

   • 4 of 4 users found this helpful
6. MiRiKan

   Jun 22, 2015

   10

   I'll say it once more. I am the mad scientist, Hououin Kyouma!
   No one knows what the future holds. That's why its potential is infinite.I'll say it once more. I am the mad scientist, Hououin Kyouma!
   No one knows what the future holds. That's why its potential is infinite.
   This is the choice of Steins;Gate.
   El Psy Congroo.… Expand

   • 5 of 8 users found this helpful
7. hh3k0

   Jul 10, 2019

   9

   Steins;Gate is most definitely one of the best visual novels around. The length of 30–50 hours and the many different endings make it worthSteins;Gate is most definitely one of the best visual novels around. The length of 30–50 hours and the many different endings make it worth playing even if you already know the anime. In fact, it was my favorite vn for years before it was succeeded in that position by World End Syndrome.… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
8. epistm87

   Dec 11, 2015

   0

   Steins;Gate is a fun, but flawed tale of friendship and science.Japanese audio only. A bit too dense in parts Intrusive dating elementsSteins;Gate is a fun, but flawed tale of friendship and science.Japanese audio only. A bit too dense in parts Intrusive dating elements .… Expand

   • 1 of 27 users found this helpful

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