While console versions await October 29th, Steam owners gained access to the remake of the cult visual novel today, August 20th. Spike Chunsoft and MAGES unexpectedly decided not to synchronize the release: the PC version launched more than two months earlier than the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and Switch 2.
On Russian Steam, the basic edition is priced at 4,000 rubles—with a 10% discount until September 2nd, the price drops to 3,600. For an additional fee, you can get the Digital Deluxe Edition for 4,950 rubles: it includes a digital artbook, the soundtrack, and a video recording of the STEINS;GATE 15th LIVE ONE WORLD anniversary concert.
Table of Contents
There is no Russian language version—and none is planned.
There is no official localization at all. The interface and subtitles are only available in Japanese, English, and Chinese. A scrupulous fan hoping for a native translation will be left with nothing—unless, of course, enthusiasts step in. However, anyone who purchases the game before November 30th will receive the bonus expansion STEINS;GATE Octet of Shifting Space, an 8-bit game in the 1980s style.
What has changed since the 2009 original?
The project is not just a remaster, but a complete reimagining. Original designer huke redesigned all the characters and their outfits to suit modern standards. The number of background locations has increased by approximately 20%, and the number of story illustrations has doubled compared to the Xbox 360.
Thanks to the E-mote animation engine, the sprites now have fluid movements and lively facial expressions—the characters now breathe, change facial expressions, and generally act lifelike.
The entire cast has re-recorded their lines, and Takeshi Abo has reworked every music track.
Controversial Basis: ELITE’s Script
The remake is based on the script of STEINS;GATE ELITE, an animated version that had already been cut. In RE:BOOT, the script was further compressed, accounting for approximately 80% of the original novel’s running time. Some minor scenes were cut, and fans have already noticed this.
However, the developers attempted to compensate for these losses: they added new dialogue and a full-fledged Gamma route with a separate ending for Moeka Kiryu, based on the radio drama Hyde of the Dark Dimension. The Gamma route is a fundamentally different world, where Okabe never became a mad scientist and the lab members treat him with hostility. The total time to complete all routes is between 30 and 50 hours.
Technical Issues at Launch
The first Steam purchases greeted the release with positive reviews, but expressed serious concerns about the PC port. Players are complaining about the interface being locked to the Xbox controller layout, even when using a mouse or DualSense. Dialogue history isn’t accessible with the mouse wheel, there are occasional crashes when auto-skipping cutscenes, and some story art still has untranslated Japanese text.
The system requirements, however, are extremely lenient: an AMD FX-8150 or Intel Core i5-9300 processor, 4 to 8 GB of RAM, and a graphics card with 1 GB of VRAM and DirectX 11 support are sufficient. The game takes up 9 GB of disk space.
Is it worth getting now?
If you’re a fan and can tolerate some technical issues, yes, the 10% discount is valid until September 2nd, and the bonus DLC can be claimed until November 30th. If you’re indifferent to early access and prefer playing on console, October 29th is just around the corner. Just keep in mind: there is no official Russian localization, and there won’t be one.
