STEINS;GATE 0 is a well-reviewed visual-novel sequel built around an alternate worldline, and its strongest audience is likely players who already know the original STEINS;GATE. Metacritic’s displayed critic aggregate is favorable, while Steam’s English-language user reviews are Very Positive; both are encouraging signals, but neither replaces checking whether this story is right for you.
How good are the STEINS;GATE 0 reviews?
Metacritic displays an 81/100 Metascore from 20 critic reviews, classified as Generally Favorable: 14 reviews are positive, six mixed, and none negative. The page also displays an 8.4 user score from 125 ratings. These are figures shown on Metacritic when accessed in 2026, not fixed lifetime totals; scores and review counts can change. Metacritic’s review page provides the aggregate and platform listings.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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PS4 STEINS ; GATE 0 (EU) | $29.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Steins Gate 0 | $34.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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STEINS;GATE 0 - PS Vita | $50.35 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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STEINS;GATE 0 | $70.53 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Chaos: Child (PS4) | $32.99 | Buy on Amazon |
On Steam, the English-language reviews are labeled Very Positive, with 94% positive from 1,614 reviews in the 2026 snapshot. That is a dynamic storefront measure of English-language PC user reviews, not a critic score or a rating for every platform. Steam’s listing shows the current user-review snapshot.
| Source and sample | Displayed reception | What it represents |
|---|---|---|
| Metacritic, 20 critic reviews; snapshot accessed 2026 | 81/100; 14 positive, six mixed, zero negative | Critic aggregate across the page’s listed editions |
| Metacritic, 125 user ratings; snapshot accessed 2026 | 8.4 user score | User ratings displayed on Metacritic |
| Steam, 1,614 English-language reviews; snapshot accessed 2026 | 94% positive; Very Positive | English-language PC storefront reviews |
These numbers use different samples and scoring systems, so they should not be treated as directly comparable. Taken together, they indicate favorable reception rather than proving that every player will enjoy the sequel.
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- Steins
- Gate 0 continues the Time Travelling theme but adds Artificial Intelligence as it's central hook
- Help a group of students bend time and prevent the onset of World War 3
- Beautiful artwork and engaging story for an unforgettable experience
- The story of an 'Alternate Worldline' - what happens if players failed the original story.Answering your phone (or not) and your responses, will determine the outcome to the story.Gate 0 has THREE story branches to enjoy - each with multiple endings.Old cast and fan-favourites return, along with all new characters and secrets to discover
Is STEINS;GATE 0 worth playing?
If you liked the original and want another story in its setting, the reception and premise make STEINS;GATE 0 a reasonable follow-up to consider. Steam describes it as a sequel to the visual-novel cult classic and uses the line “Experience an alternate worldline of STEINS;GATE.” The alternate-worldline framing is central to what a prospective player should expect; the available review evidence does not establish a particular playtime, choice structure, pace, or ranking against the original.
A Switch critic-review roundup specifically presents the game as better suited to readers who already know the original, while cautioning that it may not suit newcomers. That is one review perspective, not a hard prerequisite. Still, familiarity with the original is likely to make the sequel’s premise and context easier to follow. Metacritic’s Switch critic roundup reflects that platform-specific perspective.
Rank #2
- 026342
Do you need to play STEINS;GATE first?
You can approach STEINS;GATE 0 as its own alternate-worldline story, but the available Switch review coverage favors players who already know the original. If you are new to the series, playing the original first is the safer narrative choice for context. The review evidence does not establish that the sequel is impossible to understand on its own.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Platforms, release dates, and language options
Metacritic lists PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 3, and PC. Its page gives November 29, 2016 as the initial release date; Steam separately lists May 8, 2018 as the PC release date. These dates refer to different release contexts, not conflicting versions of one date.
The Tool Desk
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- The first release DLC code is for PlayStation 4, but this is a PlayStation Vita software
- (C) 2015 MAGES./5pb./Nitroplus/Chiyo St. Inc. (C) 2009 MAGES./5pb./Nitroplus
For the Steam PC listing, English is available for interface and subtitles. Japanese is listed for interface, full audio, and subtitles; Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese are listed for interface and subtitles. This language table applies to the PC listing, and should not be assumed to describe every console or regional edition. Check the store page for the specific platform and region you intend to buy.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Discover A Darker Japan - Explore Shibuya in 2015, after an earthquake nearly levelled the city six years prior, and try to outsmart the puppet-master behind this New Generation Madness
- Track Down A Serial Killer - Play as Takuru, an arrogant senior and the newspaper club president, and discover the pattern in a series of bizarre deaths around you that the police can't seem to crack
- Unravel The Mystery - Investigate gruesome, supernatural murders with a team of uniquely talented friends
- Pick Your Delusions - Choose to explore disturbing nightmares or pleasurable daydreams to affect the different realities that Takuru perceives, and change your story
- See The Bigger Picture - Unlock SIX endings by changing the course of your team's investigations and relationships, and understand the characters and plot in depth
Rank #4
- (C) 2015 MAGES./5pb./Nitroplus/Chiyo St. Inc. (C) 2009 MAGES./5pb./Nitroplus
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
