Shit from a butt.

It's been 3 months since I last played this and at this point I've realized I just really can't be fucking bothered to force myself to finish it. I've completed 7 out of 10 chapters, if it was ever going to get good it already would've 10 times by now. I kept forcing myself to push forward through the torture this "novel" subjected me to, and for what? To "legitimize" my opinion by actually completing the whole thing? Maybe it was because I felt like I was going crazy whenever I looked at this shit's ratings and saw everyone praising it as the greatest work of art ever made. And so I kept looking for whatever the hell everyone else saw in it.

But nah, this shit's fucking terrible.

Maybe anime was a mistake after all.

Steins;Gate has proven itself to be the ultimate entry level visual novel to those without much experience with the medium. Its unique atmosphere, characters and artstyle are an easy gotcha, but its true strengths lie in its tight and solid exploration of time-travel based on really convincing pseudo-science. It's a concept that has so much potential for exploration, though I find that Steins;Gate does not ultimately take much advantage of it.

Outside of the premise of a butterfly effect like chain reaction causing an apocalyptic outcome based on innocent uses of time travel, the novel mainly focuses on fairly straightforward, if-not cliche, episodic character arcs that feel mostly unrelated to the mechanics of its setting outside of one ethical choice at the end of each.

And, for as much as the novel lampoons or even tries to subvert and deconstruct certain character writing tropes, its characters are so married to them that I can easily say I've seen the archetypes done better elsewhere and I'd much rather have Steins;Gate play more to its strengths of world-building and tone. Still, the fact that Steins;Gate doesn't go all out with its eccentricities is probably what has helped its longevity and accessibility in the long run, so I can't fault it too much. It was an enjoyable experience, though I can't help but feel like I was left wanting more.

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you could change the past with a text? What if you discovered this power could lead to the greatest conspiracy in the world? What if you fell in love with someone who could have been destined to not exist in your timeline?

These are questions that Steins;Gate explores in its thrilling emotional roller-coaster of a story, which I can proudly say is the deepest and most intimate narrative I've seen in gaming.

The characters in Steins;Gate are one of its strongest qualities. They are all well-developed, realistic, and likable characters, each with their own personality, idiosyncrasies, and past. They become a close-knit group of friends who support each other through thick and thin, making the plot more fascinating and relatable. Okabe, the primary character, is a multifaceted and dynamic character who grows and develops throughout the story. He begins as an eccentric and egotistical individual who enjoys pretending to be a mad scientist and frequently upsets his pals with his delusions and jokes. As the story unfolds, however, he grows more serious and mature as he confronts the hard reality and repercussions of his actions. He also demonstrates great courage, commitment, and compassion by risking all to protect those he cares about.

One of the people he loves is Kurisu Makise, the main heroine of the story. In my opinion, she is one of the best female characters ever written. She is a clever and skilled scientist, as well as a kind, humorous, and charming person. She embraces the tsundere stereotype, but does it in such a lovable way that it's difficult not to admire her for it, especially when Okabe makes her aware of her cliches. She and Okabe have a lot of energy and banter, and their relationship is one of the most realistic and endearing I've ever witnessed. It's incredibly heartwarming and moving to see how she develops to care for Okabe during the game, and how she's always there for him. It's very cute how they peck each other's lips over and over like little lovebirds during their kiss moment. And the staircase scene... oh, that was such a wonderful and serene moment that I enjoy rewatching it. The slow burn romance is so brilliantly done that I found myself crying tears of joy for them at the conclusion.

I'd want to use this chance to boast about another character. Mayuri is the heart and spirit of Steins;Gate. Her "tutturu" greeting is adorable, and it always makes me grin when she sings it. I like how she always has an empty head, always thinking about what to eat or what cosplays to make for others. Then there's her very sensitive and brilliant side, revealing a hidden genius in her brain that works so well with her supportive nature. Throughout the game, I adored and grew in love with her character. Then there was Chapter 6. It was the most shocking thing I'd ever seen in a game, and I didn't care if I dropped my controller on the hard-wood floor. I was dumbfounded and felt lifeless and empty on the inside. It came out of nowhere and established the tone for the rest of the game, and I was still processing this awful fate at moments later on.

And this is the unavoidable conversation starter regarding Steins;Gate and its exquisite anguish. The numerous deaths that occur to her are a fantastic example of how manipulating the universe and time itself has absolutely no mercy, and how critical it is to keep the chronology moving steadily. The most heartbreaking aspect of this story is that it ultimately boils down to a choice between Mayuri and Kurisu, with the worldline implying that Okabe is doomed to lose a lady he adores. It's so awful, and when I recognized it, it felt like the game's writer stabbed me in the gut.

Of course, I can't leave out the other characters, who are all unique and vital to the plot. Daru, Okabe's best buddy and fellow hacka, is a perverse and amusing otaku who gives much comic relief and technical assistance. Moeka is a mysterious and silent woman who is preoccupied with her phone and has a horrible past. Luka is a bashful and feminine boy who has a crush on Okabe and wishes he could be a girl. Faris, a cute and lively maid who is the daughter of a wealthy family and has a secret identity, is also the best catgirl ever. Mr. Braun, the landlord of Okabe's laboratory and proprietor of a CRT TV store, is a gruff and strict man with a soft place for his daughter Nae and even Suzuha. And Suzuha, man, she's great.

I like seeing her true nature as John Titor emerge, and how she had to cope with her loneliness and isolation before opening out to Okabe and company and finding inspiration along the road. I was heartbroken when she traveled to 1975 only to die of disease or to forget memories, remember them, and then murder herself. That was another moment that slammed me like a freight train and made me feel nauseous. But I can't say I didn't appreciate the writing. It was so daring and original that I couldn't help but respect it. All of these characters have their own story roles and arcs that, no matter how little, all contribute significantly to the main plot and theme of Steins;Gate.

Steins;Gate is not perfect in some cases, however. It has some flaws that might deter some readers, such as the slow and confusing start, the heavy use of scientific and otaku jargon, the occasional fan-service and cliches, and the multiple endings that require a lot of replaying and skipping without a proper guide beforehand. However, I think that these flaws are minor compared to the strengths of the visual novel, and that they do not diminish its overall quality and impact. Steins;Gate is a masterpiece that deserves all the praise and recognition it has received, and more.

Steins;Gate is a visual novel that will make you laugh, cry, think, and feel. It will test your thinking, touch your emotions, and transform your viewpoint. It will take you on a voyage that you will never forget and that you will desire to repeat with your memories erased. Steins;Gate is more than simply a game; it is a phenomenon. It is a timeless narrative that will stay with you forever. This game is a must-read for anyone who wants their brain tickled, or in this instance, thoroughly elevated to grasp that this is the most deserving of the term "peak fiction." It is my literary magnum opus. I can't see myself ever forgetting my time spent with this game, and I am grateful to those who pushed me to play it.

El Psy Kongroo.

This is it. The definitive narrative. Period.

One of the best creations of humankind, regardless of world lines.

El. Psy. Congroo

The "Gameplay," represented in the phone mechanics (fancy choice selector), is fairly good for a visual novel, but I'd say the gameplay mechanics you find in Sunrider, Danganronpa, or Opus: Echo of Starsong are far more substantial.

I first played the VN to see the other routes that the anime didn't show, so I could enjoy more of a series I loved. But, as time has wore on, I've realized just how insufferable Okabe can be, how tropey the game is, and how silly the premise can seem.

The OST is just absolute bliss, though. It drove me to try to play the piano for the first time, so I could recreate my favorite pieces from the game (admittedly with little result). But, I still listen to them to this day, and it brings me fond memories of my enjoyment of this game.

Overall: 7.5/10 (8) game, 9/10 visual novel.

Gameplay: 5/10
Story/Narrative: 8/10
Graphics/Visuals: 7/10
Audio/Soundtrack: 10/10

Steins;Gate é simplesmente a melhor obra que trata sobre viagem no tempo que eu já consumi, junto com o meu protagonista favorito, um personagem que exala carisma e tem um desenvolvimento de personagem incrível ao decorrer da obra, além de alguns outros personagens secundários que são igualmente sensacionais, como a Kurisu, Mayuri e a Suzuha. Minha experiência com essa obra pelo anime já tinha sido excepcional, e com a visual novel não foi muito diferente. É claro que possui prós e contras em comparação com sua animação, mas ainda continua sendo uma obra de arte, apesar de seus lados negativos, como aqueles arcos meio chatos de alguns outros personagens. Concluindo, Steins;Gate é realmente a melhor obra de viagem no tempo que eu já consumi, estou ansioso para começar o 0 em breve...

I'm not sure what to give it for scores

I think the story is a absolute masterpiece, one of the greatest of all time

But this was my second ever visual novel, a medium I'm not the biggest fan off, most of my issues with Steins Gate are more issues I have with Visual Novel, and getting used to Visual Novel made me take over 2 years to get through this. Maybe one day I'll reread it if I get used to the medium more.

so damn good once it gets going - glad i held held on past the not-too-interesting opening act, as once the squad starts fucking with the microwave it's (mostly) just great... call me a gaijin but i was put off by both the fanservice/assault-adjacent stuff and the repeated focus on 2ch lingo. threads the technobabble needle perfectly, okabe's utsuge-style breakdown is surprisingly well-written and characterized, and there's a ton of emotional payoff in its final segments without it coming across as cheap. feels older than a 2009 vn somehow - maybe because of how influential it is?

I was really afraid to revisit this after finally playing through all of chaos;head noah and coming out the other end of that feeling rather negatively. but thankfully now that I have completed this play through of S;G i'm pleasantly surprised that this still holds up for me! it is not without faults (mostly pacing related and honestly you could relegate chapter 8 into a single scene and lose essentially nothing to the story imo, content of that chapter aside even) but thankfully it has a solid foundation, excellent atmosphere and a charming cast. whenever it's in it's full pseudo-science sci-fi emotional bullshit it's really gripping even when it doesn't necessarily feel entirely logical. there's an undeniable magic to this one even now, despite it's flaws