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STEINS;GATE: Linear Bounded Phenogram similar games & best alternatives

STEINS;GATE: Linear Bounded Phenogram

PC (Microsoft Windows), iOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, PlayStation Vita, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 3 • 2019

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Quick resume

A story for every lab member. Discover a new side of each STEINS;GATE character and get a glimpse of their inner thoughts through 10 new stories.

Global score

97/100

Genres

Adventure, Visual Novel

Similar games

    Pros

    • Deep character development
    • Engaging multiple perspectives
    • High-quality writing and music
    • Long playtime with varied stories
    • Emotional and immersive storytelling

    Cons

    • Bundled only with steins;gate elite
    • Inconsistent story quality
    • Translation and proofreading issues
    • Some stories feel filler or weak
    • Lack of gameplay interactivity

    Analysis

    Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Survival, Violence, Fellowship, Expression. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Intimacy, Thrill. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Strategy.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Motivations

    • Autonomy
      4

      "Players experience multiple character perspectives and worldlines, exploring different story branches and inner thoughts, indicating a high degree of narrative autonomy."

    • Competence
      2

      "The game is a visual novel with mostly linear stories and limited player choices, but engaging storytelling and character insight provide a moderate sense of competence."

    • Competition
      -5

      "No evidence of competitive elements; focus is on personal narrative experience without comparison to others."

    • Continuation
      3

      "Players invest many hours (20-35) in the game, indicating habitual and extended play sessions."

    • Cooperation
      -5

      "Single-player visual novel experience with no multiplayer or cooperative gameplay."

    • Creativity
      3

      "The game offers multiple alternate worldlines and character perspectives, allowing players to explore creative narrative variations."

    • Domination
      -5

      "No elements of exerting control or superiority over others; experience is individual and narrative-driven."

    • Escapism
      4

      "Players use the game to immerse themselves in an alternate fictional universe, escaping real-life through emotional and psychological storytelling."

    • Expectation
      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and fandom for the Steins;Gate series, not out of obligation."

    • Experimenting
      2

      "Exploration of multiple worldlines and character viewpoints encourages some experimentation with narrative perspectives."

    • Exploration
      4

      "Players discover new storylines, character insights, and alternate timelines expanding the known universe."

    • Expression
      -3

      "Limited customization; players experience predefined stories and art with minimal personal expression."

    • Fantasy
      5

      "Strongly rooted in science fiction, alternate realities, and imaginative storytelling."

    • Fellowship
      -4

      "Experience is primarily solitary with minimal social interaction or community engagement."

    • Growth
      3

      "Players gain deeper understanding of characters and story, enhancing knowledge and emotional insight."

    • Health
      -5

      "Sedentary visual novel gameplay with no physical activity."

    • Idle
      -4

      "Requires focused reading and attention over long sessions, not suited for idle or background play."

    • Intimacy
      2

      "Emotional connection to characters and their inner thoughts fosters some degree of intimacy."

    • Leadership
      -5

      "No leadership or group management elements present."

    • Progression
      3

      "Progression through unlocking new stories and narrative content provides a sense of advancement."

    • Relaxation
      3

      "The game balances emotional intensity with moments of humor and calm, providing a moderate relaxation experience."

    • Sensation
      2

      "Enjoyable music, art, and voice acting provide sensory stimulation, though not intense or extreme."

    • Status
      -4

      "No social status or recognition mechanics; experience is personal and private."

    • Story
      5

      "Highly narrative-driven with multiple interconnected and emotional storylines."

    • Strategy
      -3

      "Minimal strategic or problem-solving gameplay; mostly linear reading with limited choices."

    • Thrill
      2

      "Some emotional suspense and dramatic moments provide mild thrill and tension."

    • Value
      2

      "Players perceive good value especially when purchased on sale or as part of a bundle, though some criticize the forced bundling."

    • Violence
      -5

      "No combat or destructive gameplay; focus on narrative and character development."

    • Survival
      -5

      "No survival or resource management mechanics; stable and safe narrative environment."

    Where to buy

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 29/04/2026