Steins;Gate Review: Time Travel Done Right
9/10 — Steins;Gate (2011)
Pros
- Clever time-travel plotting
- Emotional payoff
- Memorable lead
Cons
- Slow first half
Self-proclaimed mad scientist Rintaro Okabe accidentally discovers a way to send text messages to the past with a microwave, and finds that his changes have terrible consequences. It’s adapted from a visual novel.
What works
The story’s second half is gripping, the time-travel mechanics are clever, and the emotional payoff is strong. Okabe is a memorable lead, and the ending is satisfying.
Where it falters
The first half is slow and heavy on in-jokes and exposition, and some of the humour will not land for everyone.
Verdict
A slow starter that becomes unmissable.
