Steins;Gate is a visual novel, a uniquely Japanese style of game that is more of a digital book accompanied by images. There’s likely a contingent of outspoken players furious at the thought that this is a considered a “game” of any kind. Yet while reading through walls of text is going to be a deal breaker for some, those with the patience will find this to be an incredibly absorbing experience. Played (or should that be read?) from the perspective of Rintaro Okabe, a would-be mad scientist who prefers his alternative persona of Hououin Kyouma, an intricate story centred on time travel unfolds.
Okabe can recognise changes in the timeline and, coupled with a microwave that sends messages back in time (seriously), he and his friends attempt to improve the future. Most “gameplay” comes in the form of phone calls, a mechanism to explore causality within Steins;Gate’s temporally complex narrative. Decline to answer a call and the ramifications can range from the personal to the dimension-shattering. It’s simple, but adds at least a touch of interaction. The slow pace, Japanese-only voice acting and occasional typos will deter some, but stick with it and Steins;Gate’s approach to sci-fi storytelling and its beautiful artwork make for a delightful curiosity.
