LogFAQs > #934037933

#63. Steins;Gate


I feel like I need to state that this isnt an evaluation based on the anime. Id say I like Clannad more than Steins;Gate as an anime, but the visual novel version is outside of the top 100. I generally dont rate traditional visual novels all that highly because they dont feel like games in some ways (This isnt the place to debate whether they actually are video games!). I might enjoy the experience, but it has to do something really special to stand out compared to traditional gameplay, as well as compared to its own anime adaptation, if such a thing exists. I think Steins;Gate managed to do that.

First of all, like I mentioned earlier in the topic, Im a sucker for time travel plots, and Steins;Gate has a really interesting one because it actually delves into the potential science behind it. I really enjoy the serious in-depth discussions the lab members have about it, even if Im not totally sure I follow it sometimes! At the same time, it never takes itself too seriously because their time machine is literally a cell phone attached to a microwave powered by a CRT television. The main character calls himself Hououin Kyouma (just as absurd in Japanese as it is in English, for the record) and pretends to be an agent on the verge of uncovering a secret conspiracy. The game is very lighthearted at times, especially in the first half.

But once you get to a certain moment around the midpoint of the game, the plot turns on its head and starts getting crazy. Now I watched the anime first, so I experienced most of these story beats there before I played the game, but I remember watching it together with user SaveEstelle. Both of us werent totally sold on the show until that moment, and after that, we were hooked. The plot stacks the odds against Okabe, and it makes you feel every bit of it as he struggles to somehow find a way to undo all the damage hes caused. There are some very poignant moments, and it totally flipped my opinion on the guy. I thought he was way too over the top and in your face in the first half, but once he finally starts letting you see the real Okabe, he becomes a really strong protagonist.

Now for those of you whove seen the anime and wonder why you should bother playing the visual novel if its mainly the same content, Ill say that there are several alternate endings and just about all of them are worthwhile. They arent just empty or cheap filler. If youre someone who doesnt normally play this style of game but might be curious, I think Steins;Gate is a good game to give the genre a trial run. I like the art style. Its kind of futuristic but also kinda playful (Everyone is sparkly! But not in a sickly sweet or obnoxious way). The game gives you plenty of choices, some meaningful and some just for fun, so you dont feel like all youre doing is reading. The cast is very strong (Makise Kurisu is one of my favorite fictional female characters ever), and its very well written. Its possible that visual novels just arent for you, but I think Steins;Gate is worth a shot regardless.

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