Create a new version of paste:

Vega and Altair (first route and first time)

As a Mayuri fan, this route constantly put me on the edge of my seat, the wordline change to a destroyed Japan also came as a surprise to me and was handled extremely well in that case.
It also manages to shed light on Okabe's mental state at the time a lot more seriously then the anime did (which I watched before playing the vn) which gave me a lot more sympathy for Okabe especially when I thought that the plot was heavily pushed to criticize Okabe for not facing the past (or what could have been I guess in the case we are talking about time travel) yet it all comes to a satisfying conclusion at the end. Daru and Suzuha's relationship (NOT IN THAT WAY) is also a particular highlight for me as I think that Suzuha is what completes Daru's character and detaches him from this perverted gentleman persona he is commonly referred to as and gives another side to him especially with their moments alone such as in the maintenance of the time machine and when Suzuha holds Okabe at gunpoint. Regarding the latter, that is also one part that left a lingering effect since it emits the idea of how frustrated Suzuha is to have the only person able to do something refuse it outright even though he has had everything in the world to push him. It was a very powerful moment and has to be one of the best parts of the whole VN.

Now finally, my personal best part of the entire VN has to be Okabe and Mayuri during the actual Vega and Altair chapter. In this case, we take a look into Mayuri and how she is on the receiving end of all of the story events. It reinforces the idea that this entire game would not exist if Okabe did not choose to save Mayuri although that did come with the blow that Okabe was not the Okabe that we and Mayuri once knew. One reoccurring theme I noticed was worthlessness, especially for Mayuri. Backing up her reason to go on the time travel trip with Suzuha was that it would be her "first mission" as a lab member. Even in the last game, this view of her was opposed by Okabe and to see it come back is interesting. She felt indebted to Kurisu and took the initiative herself to set things, in her mind, right not for herself but Okabe and Kurisu serving to heighten her selflessness towards the cast. What makes this all better is Okabe's reaction to all of this. Suzuha points out to Mayuri that she should say goodbye to Okabe's face to face yet she pushes that aside instead of opting for a message. Part of me thinks that Mayuri can not bring herself to express her proper true feelings to Okabe in his current state (mostly because, during that time, she loved Hououin Kyouma and not current 0 Okabe) therefore she picks the easiest option to break it to him in a message that when read is an entirely different topic at hand for me to discuss. What makes Okabe's reaction to Mayuri leaving better is knowing all the blood, sweat and tears he went through in the original to get to the timeline with her alive. FOr her to be subjected to time travel, considered a curse in terms of being disconnected from causality, is the worst thing for Okabe to witness and hearing him speak during this is enough to frustrate the player. Not in terms of anger but of sorrow as it seems that all the work Okabe has done would be for naught if this was to proceed.

Okabe then being given the phone by Mayuri to read the message that she left for everyone as she then proceeds to do her job for the good of the world and the cast for me seemed very bitter (from a feeling perspective of course) only for my feelings to be trampled on for when the time machine got blown to smithereens. On the first witness to this, Okabe does not scream out initially but questions it in a fit of confusion as he desperately tries to search for any bodies through his rampant denial. Made even better is when he breaks it to Daru in which Daru then breaks down in what I would say is both Okabe and his anger being let loose for this should not have happened. Now the meaty part of this, the message. She pours her regrets as she believes that "I hid my Hikoboshi". continuing her nostalgia of what we know has Hououin Kyouma but at the same time, deeply regretting her choice to comfort Okabe during his first encounter with Beta Suzuha when it should have been met with sternness and a reality check for Okabe pushing him "Beyond the clouds". Honestly, I could speak all day about the message but what we can all take away from this is that Okabe and Mayuri bond was better explained here and in a situation where it almost simulates the alpha worldline convergence of Mayuri dying, it further charges the emotional value of this leaps and beyond for me at least. On the topic of near emulating the Alpha worldline, Okabe's instinct to get straight to work on the time leap machine gives heavy vibes from the OG game and proves that even in his worst state, his resolve to keep Mayuri safe prevails above all.

Writing this sparks up memories of this wonderful route making it unforgettable for me. It, in my prespective, best shares similarities with the OG games true ending such as when the first time travel attempt failed and so on and so forth. I give my extreme love for the True end of the OG VN credit for making me appreciate this route way more then I would have.

Understandably, not many will agree with my overall positive lack negative review of this route since I may be slightly biased to the constant appreciation towards anything stein's gate related (apart from elite) but this should not detract from the fact that this was a phenomenal route full of its ups and downs (emotionally). It was a ride that I was glad to be apart and my love for Stein's gate will never die even with the departure of its mainline game from my backlog.

A satisfying conclusion to what was the treacherous journey from Okabe Rintaro to Hououin Kyouma or should I say Mayuri's Hikoboshi.

The best way to sum up this route: "Now go. Let the legend come back to life"

Rating: 10/10