Road 96: Mile 0 Reviews
As a prequel designed to expand the narrative universe of Road 96 by offering a much more classic gameplay, Road 96: Mile 0 is an appreciable first-person adventure that abandons the roguelite elements to accommodate game dynamics typical of Rhythm games. However, this time the developers of DigixArt Entertainment have yet to tell an intriguing and profound story, despite a multiple-choice dialogue system and alternative endings, which unfortunately do not solve the problem of poor longevity.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Road 96: Mile 0 manages to leave a great aftertaste, especially thanks to its final phase, and makes you feel like in the original game. But knowing at all times how your decisions affect and that it is so unsubtle in its message takes away a lot of fun.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Road 96: Mile 0 is a strong narrative adventure that not only builds on the original, but offers new and exciting gameplay elements.
Road 96 Mile 0 is a choir that sings for free speech, even if it lacks that sense of adventure that made the original game unique and unforgettable.
Review in Italian | Read full review
The script itself doesn't strike a good balance either, often transitioning from subjects such as a rumination on class inequality directly into a slapstick comedy sketch before interjecting a news bulletin about an impending natural disaster. It's, to put it mildly, a mess. And this happens over and over throughout the 4-5 hours required to complete the game. While pitch-black comedy can work, the writing in Mile 0 is awkward enough that it feels accidental rather than deliberately irreverent. What you're left with is a fun rhythm game surrounded by a plethora of questionable writing decisions.
Road 96: Mile 0 presents a predictable yet relatable tale about teens pushed to the brink under an oppressive system. The energetic soundtrack, quality voice acting, and comedic moments help balance the heavier themes and darker undertones of the story. The newly added Rides serve to amplify Mile 0’s catchy tunes while adding another means of gameplay interaction beyond dialogue choices and minigames. Despite its shortcomings, the prequel does a decent job at laying the narrative foundation for the events of Road 96 while introducing new gameplay mechanics that cater to a new audience of players.
All in all, Road 96: Mile 0 feels like a missed opportunity. Rather than building on what the original game had done so well, it deviates to tell an uninspired story with a gameplay mechanic that just doesn’t really feel all that interesting to play. Road 96 fans will find something to like here, but don’t go in expecting an epic sequel. Even at just five-hours, it can feel like a bit of a drag to finish.
Road 96 Mile 0 is a prequel that will be well received by fans of the first game by dynamically introducing new playable concepts such as music mini-games. Although its approach loses strength by eliminating the originality of the procedural narrative, the plot will keep your interest thanks to a conventional script, but very successful.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Road 96 Mile 0 is a rather nice dive into the dystopian universe. The prequel suffers from its classical aspect and loses everything that made its predecessor so special and instead brings musical sections that are rather boring and imperfect on consoles. A game that nevertheless manages to shine at times thanks to its soundtrack, its pop atmosphere and its staging that is sometimes really impressive.
Review in French | Read full review
This game can easily be avoided without really missing out on anything, especially for fans of the original game for whom the narrative is already flawed. ...disappointingly, I cannot recommend buying it.
At just over five hours long with scope for additional playthroughs depending on whether you're sympathetic to Petrian regime, rebel against it or fall somewhere in-between, Road 96: Mile 0 belies its budget price with a surprisingly choice-stuffed narrative that doesn't match the broad calibre of Road 96 but is nonetheless still worth playing all the same.
A strictly-for-fans offering, Mile 0 offers up a disappointingly linear, middling prologue to Road 96.
For anyone who was a fan of Road 96, then I would recommend giving Road 96: Mile 0 a go. Honestly, I am disappointed that they got rid of the procedurally generated interactions, which made Road 96 so unique. Road 96: Mile 0 is a still an enjoyable time, and I appreciate that DigixArt continued to try new things, but it wasn’t able to capture the same magic as its predecessor. Still, it was fun getting to learn more about Petria and some of the motley residents within its borders.
Road 96: Mile 0 just felt like a waste of time, I got attached to these characters only to be left without a conclusion. There may be something in here for fans of Road 96, but I can’t say I would recommend it on its own.
Road 96: Mile 0 tries to explore a dystopic ambient through the lens of two teenagers with their own convictions. The end result is an emotional journey but with a forced script and many quality of life issues that severely hinder the experience. Even so, to fans of adventure titles with emotional character focus, it's worth a recommendation.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Road 96: Mile 0 is a wonderful snapshot of a world that many fell in love with. While the game steps away from its procedural roots, it does so to offer a fresh experience. The new gameplay aspects are a joy and the storytelling is stellar which makes DigixArt’s latest release a must for fans of narrative-driven games.
Road 96: Mile 0 depicts a depressing world that I like very much though. The game tells a thrilling story about two progagonists who wants to leave this dystopian world. Road 96: Mile 0 delivery with great voice acting, soundtrack and a beautiful art style.
Review in German | Read full review
Road 96 Mile 0 is a wildly disappointing follow-up to one of my favorite indie games of all time. Unless you love poor writing, acting, animation, dialogue, controls, and gameplay, pick another route.
Road 96: Mile 0 is an engaging and narratively excellent video game. A political video game that knows how to talk about it in a direct and not at all obvious way, taking only the best from such an important topic.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Mile 0 is a new and exciting avenue for Road 96. The rhythm sections are euphoric and the world-building is complex and fulfilling. Zoe and Kaito’s story is a great entry point but it does feel like it’s just getting started as it ends, falling under the traps of being a prequel.