Between anime and visual novels, there is a very intimate relationship that is not always recognized. It’s not that it’s hidden or very difficult to find. Otaku culture has always felt an affinity for both fields, and it’s logical that they have fed off each other for decades. Something that has a very clear exponent, and among its greatest exponents, we could say, Steins;Gate. Which will soon have a new version.
During these days, the franchise has been celebrating its fifteenth anniversary. To commemorate this, they held a concert named Steins;Gate 15th Live: One World, where the franchise’s songs were performed live. Additionally, some news about the franchise was presented. For instance, Steins;Gate will have a new title, named Steins;Gate Reboot, which, as the name suggests, aims to be a reboot of the franchise as we know it.
Although MAGES., the developing studio, has not wanted to go into too much detail, they have emphasized that it will not be a mere port or remaster. This will be a version of the story with new graphics and some additional elements in the story, although they have not wanted to delve into what these changes would be.
If you don’t know Steins;Gate, it’s a visual novel where we control Okabe Rintaro, aka Okarin, who calls himself a mad scientist. Due to some strange circumstances, he becomes involved with Makise Kurisu, a neuroscience researcher at an American university, only 18 years old. And what are those strange circumstances? Time travel. Murders. And who knows, perhaps the possibility of the annihilation of reality as we know it in one of the most convoluted, yet satisfying, stories the genre has produced.
If all this sounds interesting, the game has been available on PC since 2016. But it might be worth waiting a bit. Because Steins;Gate Re:Boot will be released in 2025, on a date yet to be determined, according to the brief and not very informative first trailer of the game. So, whether you are a lifelong fan of MAGES. games or it’s your first time encountering it, you have something to look forward to in the future. If the future hasn’t happened already.
