Steins;Gate 0

 PlayStation 4
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. PlaySense
    Dec 7, 2016
    70
    Worth playing if you liked the previous one, if only for it's deep and intriguing storyline. It's a shame, however, that you have to play - or rather: watch - the whole thing multiple times to completely understand what's going on.
  2. PlayStation Country
    Nov 22, 2016
    70
    As a visual novel game this lacks any kind of real interaction other than the X button. You’re coming here for the story and Steins;Gate 0 tells a great one, with multiple endings and loads to get your teeth into.
  3. Hardcore Gamer
    Nov 22, 2016
    70
    Fans will be satisfied with how the tale running through Steins;Gate 0 is told with a narrative that rarely stands still in the present without coming off confusing. That said, the original’s degree of tension and regret over gameplay decisions are lost a little here and because of it, 0 — despite its successful transitioning, coming off more like a second half to a much grander tale as opposed to a totally sectioned-off story — often finds comfort in retreating to old techniques and former narrative inclusions to fill in the rare instances of figurative gaps.
  5. RPG Fan
    Jan 23, 2017
    69
    I feel incredibly conflicted about my time with Steins;Gate 0. Its plot raises some really fun questions, and during its very best moments it can be read as an allegory for the overzealous influence of American hegemony on post-war Japan. When it works, Steins;Gate 0 knocks it out of the park. But more often than not, it doesn't work, and is instead content to waste your time with shallow "slice of life" baloney that you've seen a million times before in other visual novels. There is value to be gleaned from Steins;Gate 0, I just wish it wasn't so well hidden.
  6. IGN Spain
    Dec 15, 2016
    60
    Visual novel with nonexistent gameplay even for its genre. Only recommended for those who played the original game.
  7. PlayStation LifeStyle
    Nov 23, 2016
    50
    This might have been fantastic as an anime series, but the lack of real choices in how the story goes kind of kills the interactive vibe a visual novel is supposed to have. Even though the text messages and phone calls alter the story, the length of the full story, complete with monotonous gameplay, doesn’t make replaying it for all the endings very enticing.

Awards & Rankings

60
#60 Best PS4 Game of 2016

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 112 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 97 out of 112
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 112
  3. Negative: 13 out of 112
  1. jTiKey
    Dec 31, 2016
    2
    Messy plot, blank characters, just a bunch of ideas mixed together without any purpose at the end. Feels like a bad fanfic. Is nothing likeMessy plot, blank characters, just a bunch of ideas mixed together without any purpose at the end. Feels like a bad fanfic. Is nothing like the original game, each detail in which had a purpose at the end.

    Waste of time.    … Full Review »
  2. mupo0853
    Dec 9, 2017
    8
    now before anyone brings out the torches and pitchforks; I do like this game,but there are some problems that bog this down from beingnow before anyone brings out the torches and pitchforks; I do like this game,but there are some problems that bog this down from being incredible.

    Gameplay: since this is a visual novel, gameplay is only going to be based on menu design. honestly the only problem I have with the gameplay is the vocab that is displayed as tips. Some of the information that is saved makes you feel like a complete idiot because of the simple terms that are displayed, especially considering it is an M rated game and the audience should be well into the age to understand most of the simple terms. For example, did you know the game had to explain to you what ok means in the tips or what UFO and PTSD means? It makes Captain Obvious look like Ben Stein.... they didn't have to dumb it down for the people who watch this.

    Sound: no problems the voices are clear even though I don't speak japanese XD and the music adds mystery and humor to the plot. The lip sync matches the scene to a tee.

    Controls: The controls bugged me.... there were buttons that you press to tell you an option is available and some that are completely pointless. for example I can press R1 to tell me that you can start skip mode, which doesn't do anything or a forced skip which is L1. You can display the backing but what point is there to display the backing on a visual novel? its pointless and a waste of a layout. I don't understand why there is a quicksave when you can save any time you like as well. You can basically save anywhere you like by pushing the options button and going to save. Unfortunately a lot of buttons without a purpose.

    Story: Now I'm a huge fan of the steins gate mythos and the story and this doesn't disappoint, however there is a huge amount of story padding and exposition that it is hard to fully enjoy the story. Half of the time you will say "okay now get to the point" because of the fact that the details are dragged on. It feels like when you want to see the climax of the story you will have to wait and if you don't have a guide you won't know how the story arcs and the multiple endings that come with said story. But every ending is amazing and it shows so many twists and turns that could happen in the story of stine's gate.

    Now you might be asking why I still gave it a good review? It does it's job despite the short comings. It is a visual novel not a regular game, so as long as the story is good then the rest can be forgiven more or less and the story is a perfect sequel to the original with interesting branching points    … Full Review »
  3. dogshea
    Aug 24, 2020
    10
    Again, masterpiece of the SF-based visual novel. Branches of the story are more complex than original steins gate but still reallyAgain, masterpiece of the SF-based visual novel. Branches of the story are more complex than original steins gate but still really interesting. Great artwork, voice, story, and charming new characters. 5pb studio must make new steins gate series forever.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »