Steins;Gate

 PlayStation Vita
User Score
9.0

Universal acclaim- based on 153 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 138 out of 153
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 153
  3. Negative: 12 out of 153
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  1. 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 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 orStory - 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
  2. CJMoka
    Dec 28, 2020
    10
    Was skeptical going stepping into a Visual Novel game not being a huge fan of Anime, and having never played a 'game' of this type before.

    Well when I got the low battery warning on my vita at the end of playing my first session, I realised that 5 hours had gone by and I was hooked. Well worth the admission price for this; 5 different ending and a great bunch of subtle differences    Was skeptical going stepping into a Visual Novel game not being a huge fan of Anime, and having never played a 'game' of this type before.

    Well when I got the low battery warning on my vita at the end of playing my first session, I realised that 5 hours had gone by and I was hooked.

    Well worth the admission price for this; 5 different ending and a great bunch of subtle differences throughout during different playthroughs!

    Recommend this highly if you feel like a bit of a change of pace from more 'twitchy action' games.    … Expand
  3. 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 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    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 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. LivingSoul
    Nov 3, 2015
    10
    I am not really into anime at all, but this has to be the best visual novel I've ever played along with VLR.

    It might start a little slow, but just please keep going because once the story really starts, you'll become addicted. I promise. Like I said, I'm not even into anime but after I finished this game I had to order the complete series on blu ray and the movie. The story is like    I am not really into anime at all, but this has to be the best visual novel I've ever played along with VLR.

    It might start a little slow, but just please keep going because once the story really starts, you'll become addicted. I promise.

    Like I said, I'm not even into anime but after I finished this game I had to order the complete series on blu ray and the movie. The story is like no other.    … Expand
  5. SteveO20
    Dec 16, 2015
    10
    As far as I'm concerned, this is Vita game of 2015. No game that I played had a story more compelling and engrossing than Steins;Gate. It will leave you wanting more. The music is fantastic. You'll learn to give a damn about the characters. The downside is that there isn't much "gameplay" per say. You'll answer text messages and have the opportunity to make decisions based on thoseAs far as I'm concerned, this is Vita game of 2015. No game that I played had a story more compelling and engrossing than Steins;Gate. It will leave you wanting more. The music is fantastic. You'll learn to give a damn about the characters. The downside is that there isn't much "gameplay" per say. You'll answer text messages and have the opportunity to make decisions based on those text conversations. Personally, that didn't bother me because the sole purpose of this game is to deliver a story that will blow your mind. And it delivers. Be patient with it. It starts off slow. But the build up is worth it. The story is amazing. Play it! El. Psy. Kongroo.… Expand
  6. 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 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    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 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
  7. Impirus
    Apr 14, 2019
    10
    This is the best story i have ever experienced in any entertainment medium either it be books, movies, games etc.. and i almost missed it because the first hours of the game i did not understand at all so i almost didn't finish it
  8. Ogie
    Oct 6, 2016
    10
    If you don't like reading - just skip this, even this is so amazing if you don't like reading you would probably don't enjoy this - otherwise if you want to read amazing story, you are at the right place here. Steins Gate is really amazing visual novel which will devour you. The story has multiple different endings which give you easily over 30 hours of very interesting reading. The goodIf you don't like reading - just skip this, even this is so amazing if you don't like reading you would probably don't enjoy this - otherwise if you want to read amazing story, you are at the right place here. Steins Gate is really amazing visual novel which will devour you. The story has multiple different endings which give you easily over 30 hours of very interesting reading. The good thing is that Steins Gate is really catchy from start to the end. Definitely a must for everyone who likes good stories at least a bit . Steins Gate is amazing Visual Novel in every way. The only thing that could be a bit better was gameplay. Work with mobile was nice but there could be something a bit more. Not that other VNs would be better in term of actual gameplay. But still... that is nothing that could drop overall score even for 1 point. This is real masterpiece. One of the best visual novels! (And not just in the West!)

    GRAPHIC - 10
    GAMEPLAY - 9
    LASTING APPEAL - 10
    EXECUTION - 10

    OVERALL - 9,75    … Expand
  9. Siafni
    Sep 28, 2016
    10
    This, the 2 Danganranpa games and Persona 4 alone make it worth it to own a Vita. Period. It starts off a bit slowly, but man when it picks up there's no putting it down until you know how it ends.
  10. 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.
    This is the choice of Steins;Gate.
    El Psy Congroo.
  11. 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 elements .
  12. 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 playing in my head as i write this. This game was an intense roller coaster of emotion, it was painful sometime.
  13. NZAnimeManga
    Apr 13, 2017
    10
    10/10 perfect visual novel. Steins;Gate was, and still is, my favourite anime of all time, coupled with the movie ending I think it will end up being regarded as a modern classic in the coming years. How does the visual novel that inspired it all stack up then? It surpasses the anime leaps and bounds - a resounding triumph of visual novel storytelling. By giving you the freedom to fully10/10 perfect visual novel. Steins;Gate was, and still is, my favourite anime of all time, coupled with the movie ending I think it will end up being regarded as a modern classic in the coming years. How does the visual novel that inspired it all stack up then? It surpasses the anime leaps and bounds - a resounding triumph of visual novel storytelling. By giving you the freedom to fully explore all the other (lesser/bitter-sweet - to downright heartbreaking) story paths and endings, it makes the one true ending that much more impactful. If I could give it an 11/10 I would. BUY IT.

    A game WORTH 100%-ing. Seriously, do yourself a favour and FULLY explore it. It's beautiful.    … Expand
  14. Maarten95
    Apr 14, 2019
    9
    One of the best story games I have ever played. It introduces such a wide view on time traveling. The cast is very likeable. I do wish it was a little bit easier to steer the plot. No very often are the consequentes of your actions clear. Therefore its very easy to get the bad ending. If you want the true ending you should defintely follow a guide on this game. That is however the mostOne of the best story games I have ever played. It introduces such a wide view on time traveling. The cast is very likeable. I do wish it was a little bit easier to steer the plot. No very often are the consequentes of your actions clear. Therefore its very easy to get the bad ending. If you want the true ending you should defintely follow a guide on this game. That is however the most charming thing about these games. The lenght of options Always suprise me. It is one of the best games for the vita.… Expand
  15. 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 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.
  16. tommydlbass
    Sep 19, 2021
    8
    A mindblowing story with likable characters. Is a visual novel so we can't say much more than that. Worth playing it.

Awards & Rankings

4
#4 Best PS Vita Game of 2015
3
#3 Most Discussed PS Vita Game of 2015
7
#7 Most Shared PS Vita Game of 2015

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. RPG Fan
    Mar 10, 2016
    95
    By subtly incorporating gameplay mechanics to tell an intelligent story, Steins;Gate is a triumph of the visual novel genre.
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  2. IGN
    Sep 11, 2015
    69
    I just wish that the dating elements had been more smoothly incorporated into the established narrative and not forced (gruesomely at times) on the player. Sometimes, it’s enough to just be friends.
    Read full review
  3. GamingTrend
    Sep 9, 2015
    90
    Steins;Gate is a complex visual novel with a costly time commitment, but it offers one of the best stories on the Vita.
    Read full review
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