Road 96: Mile 0

As a prequel to Road 96, Mile 0 has perfected the fusion of colourful visuals and a severe and nuanced story. It also brings some new elements into the mix, such as rhythmic runner segments and QTEs, which can drag the game down for players only interested in the story.

If you're a fan of Route 96, then 0 Miles might be worth playing. This game focuses on telling the story of the popular character Zoe from the original game and features many small gameplay segments that blend narration and gameplay. Additionally, it brings back many classic characters from the original. However, the plot isn't very engaging, and the main rhythm gameplay is lacking. The game's attempts to express political views throughout are somewhat naive. As a result, it's difficult to consider it a great adventure game when evaluated independently from Route 96.

Road 96: Mile 0 presents a predictable yet relatable tale about teens pushed to the brink under an oppressive system. The energetic soundtrack, quality voice acting, and comedic moments help balance the heavier themes and darker undertones of the story. The newly added Rides serve to amplify Mile 0’s catchy tunes while adding another means of gameplay interaction beyond dialogue choices and minigames. Despite its shortcomings, the prequel does a decent job at laying the narrative foundation for the events of Road 96 while introducing new gameplay mechanics that cater to a new audience of players.

If you were hoping for more of the first games dynamics and fun… you may well be disappointed here, but if you simply want to know a bit more about some of the characters from before the events in Road 96… then it could be worth grabbing a copy. At the very least I’d suggest waiting for a sale because even at the low price… there are just too many elements of the game that are disappointing. A halfhearted recommendation at best I’m afraid.

Road 96: Mile 0 is a linear story of Romero and Juliette aimed primarily at fans of the original who miss the iconic characters.

In the end, Road 96: Mile 0 doesn't quite pull together everything to create something that reaches the heights of the original title. The first-person exploration portions are flawed but fine, while the auto-runner sequences can be unfair but ultimately get a pass thanks to a skip feature. It is the uneven tone, characters, and story that sink the game, as it plays more to caricature and wild logic leaps rather than the original's more thought-out approach. The low asking price might be tempting for those looking for more from the world of Road 96, but ultimately, we were probably better off waiting for Digixart to create a brand-new project in a brand-new world.

I can't help but feel like this prequel has lost some of the charm of the series by deviating so drastically at times and for that reason I don't feel as though Mile 0 lives up to its predecessor.

Road 96: Mile 0 certainly takes risks - both in narrative and gameplay - but unfortunately it does not pay off. The trippy skating segments are amusing, but are probably not what traditional adventure fans wanted from this prequel.