STEINS;GATE
Last updated: 2026-01-18
- Masterful storytelling and deep immersion
- Rich character development and arcs
- Innovative time-travel mechanics explored
- Slow early-game pacing frustrates players
- Protagonist’s behavior alienates audiences
- True ending requires external guides
Emotions
Frustration14%Admiration7%Excitement7%Satisfaction5%Disappointment5%
- Sample precision
- Helpful reviews
- 47%
- Unhelpful reviews
- 53%
- Protest reviews
- 0%
- 80%Helpful reviews with positive sentiment
- 20%Helpful reviews with negative sentiment
- Positive points
- 756
- Negative points
- 350
- Gameplay points
- 505
- Perf. points
- 21
- Rec. points
- 130
- Misc points
- 16
| Point | Description | Importance |
|---|---|---|
Masterful storytelling and immersion
| The game excels in narrative depth, logical consistency, and emotional engagement. Players highlight its self-contained world-building, immersive first-person perspective, and strong emotional payoffs during key moments, making it a standout experience in sci-fi storytelling. | 99% |
Rich character development and arcs
| Characters like Okabe, Kurisu, and Mayuri are praised for their depth, relatability, and emotional impact. The game explores their backstories, motivations, and growth through layered interactions, making them feel alive and memorable. | 95% |
Innovative time-travel mechanics
| The game’s time-travel logic, world-line shifts, and butterfly effect are lauded for their coherence and emotional weight. Players appreciate the detailed explanations of scientific theories and their integration into the narrative without oversimplification. | 93% |
Deep thematic exploration
| The game delves into complex themes like existentialism, determinism, sacrifice, and the ethics of time travel. Players appreciate its philosophical depth and the way it roots sci-fi elements in human emotions like grief, love, and hope. | 88% |
High-quality audiovisual presentation
| The game’s soundtrack, voice acting, and art style are frequently praised for enhancing atmosphere and emotional resonance. The music, in particular, is described as a masterpiece that complements tense and reflective moments. | 61% |
Accessible yet intellectually stimulating
| The story is praised for being accessible to science students while incorporating real-world theories and complex concepts. The game strikes a balance between humor, scientific discussions, and emotional depth. | 57% |
Emotional impact and nostalgia
| The game evokes strong emotional reactions, from laughter to tears, and leaves a lasting impression. Players describe it as a deeply personal and nostalgic experience that resonates long after completion. | 56% |
High value for money
| Players highlight the game’s low price, extensive content (40+ hours of gameplay), and high-quality voice acting as offering exceptional value. The base game and bonus content are often described as worth every penny. | 40% |
Engaging for non-visual novel fans
| The game’s unique blend of sci-fi, humor, and emotional storytelling appeals even to players who are not typically fans of visual novels. Its addictive gameplay and immersive narrative make it a standout experience. | 37% |
Balanced pacing with strong payoffs
| While the early chapters may feel slow, the game’s pacing improves significantly in later stages, delivering satisfying payoffs for foreshadowing and plot threads. The mid-to-late game is often described as addictive and emotionally impactful. | 20% |
Superior to anime adaptation
| The visual novel is often considered more detailed and immersive than the anime, offering additional scenes, deeper character insights, and expanded lore. Players who watched the anime first still find value in the game’s unique storytelling. | 5% |
Timeless and influential
| Despite being over a decade old, the game’s retrofuturistic aesthetic, razor-sharp script, and memorable cast continue to hold up. It is considered a masterpiece and a benchmark for visual novels and sci-fi narratives. | 4% |