Road 96: Mile 0

The opinions of the critics regarding the Story of Road 96: Mile 0 are varied, but there are several positive aspects that stand out. Critics such as Pure Xbox, Xbox Tavern, Game Rant, Digital Chumps, GameSpew, and PlayStation Universe praise the story for its exploration of friendship, political turmoil, and the struggles of the characters, Zoe and Kaito. They find the narrative captivating, well-crafted, and emotionally engaging. The story is seen as an opportunity to provide further insight into the world of the original game, with COGconnected noting that it is masterful and complex, while Push Square highlights the strong relationship between the characters as the game's strongest component. The Games Machine and XboxAddict appreciate the prequel aspect, delving into the origins of the totalitarian state of Petria and the backgrounds and motivations of Zoe and Kaito. However, there are also negative opinions regarding the Story of Road 96: Mile 0. Critics such as IGN France, XboxEra, Gamereactor UK, Impulsegamer, and Twinfinite express disappointment in various aspects of the story. IGN France finds the conflict and character development lacking depth, while XboxEra mentions that the narrative falls flat for players who have already experienced the original game. Gamereactor UK criticizes the story for being less diverse and impactful than the main game, with less weighty choices and a less important supporting cast. Impulsegamer and Twinfinite both mention that the story feels too linear and lacking in choices, with Twinfinite specifically highlighting the clichéd and obvious nature of the narrative. Overall, the consensus among critics is mixed. While some critics appreciate the story for its emotional depth, exploration of political themes, and further context to the original game, others find it lacking in depth, impact, and originality. The positive opinions highlight the captivating and well-crafted narrative, the exploration of friendship and political turmoil, and the opportunity to delve into the backgrounds and motivations of the characters. On the other hand, the negative opinions criticize the lack of depth in conflict and character development, the linear nature of the story, and the lack of impactful choices. Despite the mixed opinions, it is evident that the Story of Road 96: Mile 0 offers an engaging narrative that adds depth and context to the world of the original game, but may not resonate with all players due to its execution and lack of originality.

The opinions of the critics regarding the gameplay of Road 96: Mile 0 are varied, with both positive and negative aspects highlighted. In terms of positives, several critics mention the inclusion of mini-games and rhythm-based sequences as enjoyable and entertaining elements. Critics such as XboxAddict and Noisy Pixel appreciate the replayable dreamlike rides and the scoring system, while GameSpew and Hey Poor Player find the music-driven skateboarding sections to be challenging and fun. The Games Machine also praises the weight of conversations and the impact of chosen responses on the protagonist's political stance. These positive aspects add variety and engagement to the gameplay experience. On the other hand, there are several criticisms regarding the gameplay of Road 96: Mile 0. IGN France, Xbox Tavern, and TouchArcade express disappointment in the gameplay, with IGN France specifically mentioning repetitive and awkward musical sequences and superficial exploration. XboxEra and Impulsegamer find the mix of gameplay styles to be jarring and unnecessary, particularly in the case of the psychedelic rhythm-based 'Ride' sections. Shacknews and Twinfinite mention that while the rides add variety, they can also be skipped, indicating a lack of engagement for some players. Additionally, Digital Chumps notes that the new gameplay elements, such as roller skating and skateboarding, feel somewhat disconnected from the original game's design. Overall, the consensus among the critics is mixed. While there are positive aspects such as the inclusion of mini-games, rhythm-based sequences, and impactful conversations, there are also criticisms regarding repetitive gameplay, unresponsive controls, jarring mix of gameplay styles, and limited choices impacting the story. Critics such as COGconnected and GameSpew find the gameplay addictive and enjoyable, while Game Rant and Digital Chumps mention drawbacks such as limited choices and rushed pacing. The overall sentiment suggests that while the gameplay of Road 96: Mile 0 has its moments of engagement and entertainment, there are also areas that could have been improved to provide a more cohesive and satisfying experience.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of Road 96: Mile 0 are generally positive. IGN France commends the charming and effective graphics, particularly highlighting the visually successful musical sequences. The Games Machine also praises the visually interesting and inspired visuals, especially during the rhythm game sections. ZTGD mentions the striking and mystifying designs of the environments in the skating sequences, which leave a lasting impression. But Why Tho? appreciates the unique aesthetic with detailed, cartoony 3D models and excellent art direction, stating that the visuals are crisp and the game runs well with no graphical or performance issues. However, there are some criticisms raised by the reviewers. Xbox Tavern mentions that while the blocky visual style may not be impressive, the 'Rides' stages are visually delightful. They also express a desire for more polish on the character models. Game Rant points out that while the art style excels in conveying the necessary information for players to feel towards each area, some scenes lack detail and animations can be stiff at times. GamingBolt criticizes the heavily stylized art style, stating that it looks great in stills but feels unrefined in motion, with stiff and wooden character movements and animations. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the Graphics and Visual Design of Road 96: Mile 0 are visually appealing and contribute positively to the game's atmosphere. The charming and effective graphics, visually interesting and inspired visuals, and striking environment designs are mentioned as highlights. The unique aesthetic, detailed character models, and excellent art direction are also appreciated. However, there are some criticisms regarding the blocky visual style, lack of polish on character models, lack of detail in some scenes, and stiff animations. Despite these criticisms, the overall sentiment is positive, with the majority of critics praising the visuals and considering them to be a strong aspect of the game.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Sound Design and Music of Road 96: Mile 0 are generally positive. The soundtrack is praised by multiple critics for its variety and fitting the tone of the narrative. XboxAddict specifically mentions that the music is emotionally impactful and distinct, enhancing the overall experience of the game. Xbox Tavern also highlights the techno beats, punk rock, and reflective compositions that effectively capture the themes of the adventure. The inclusion of licensed tracks, such as The Offspring's 'No Brakes', is appreciated by GameSpew and Noisy Pixel. The energetic and fitting licensed music is described as fantastic by Pocket Tactics. The music in Mile 0 is also recognized for playing a prominent role in setting the rhythm and accompanying the player's movements, as stated by The Games Machine. The musical tracks accompanying the skating sequences are described as 'dope' by ZTGD, leaving a lasting impression on players. The audio quality and voice acting are also commended by critics such as Impulsegamer and COGconnected. However, there are some negative opinions regarding the Sound Design and Music of Road 96: Mile 0. IGN France mentions that the music in Mile 0 is less memorable than the original game, but the psychedelic musical sequences are interesting. Worth Playing criticizes the tonal shifts in the game, stating that they are jarring and the overall short runtime of three hours doesn't allow for proper tonal development. Push Square also points out a tonal incongruity between the music and the serious narrative elements, which is considered a major issue. PSX Brasil mentions issues with the composition and transition of some cutscenes and musical segments. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the Sound Design and Music of Road 96: Mile 0 are positive aspects of the game. The soundtrack is described as fantastic, enjoyable, and a standout feature. It effectively captures the themes of the adventure and enhances the overall experience. The inclusion of licensed tracks and the variety of music are appreciated by multiple critics. The voice acting and audio quality are also commended. However, there are some criticisms regarding the tonal shifts, tonal incongruity, and issues with composition and transition in certain cutscenes and musical segments. Despite these negatives, the positive reception of the Sound Design and Music by the majority of the critics indicates that it is a strong aspect of Road 96: Mile 0.

The opinions of the critics regarding the voice acting in Road 96: Mile 0 are generally positive. Pocket Tactics, Game Rant, Shacknews, But Why Tho?, COGconnected, and Twinfinite all praise the voice acting performances in the game. They highlight that the voice acting helps bring the characters to life and draws players into their trials and tribulations. Critics like Pocket Tactics and But Why Tho? specifically mention that the voice acting is excellent and stellar, properly breathing life into the characters. This positive feedback suggests that the voice actors successfully convey the emotions and personalities of the characters, enhancing the overall immersive experience of the game. However, there are a few criticisms regarding the voice acting in Road 96: Mile 0. New Game Network points out the strange choice of making the player character mute, which may affect the overall impact of the voice acting. This criticism suggests that the lack of voice acting for the player character hampers the connection between the player and the game world. Additionally, Twinfinite mentions that dialogue options are not voice acted during normal gameplay sections, which takes away from the level of polish. This critique implies that the inconsistency in voice acting throughout the game may disrupt the overall immersion and cohesiveness of the experience. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the voice acting in Road 96: Mile 0 is a positive aspect of the game. The majority of the critics, including Pocket Tactics, Game Rant, Shacknews, But Why Tho?, COGconnected, and Twinfinite, appreciate the voice acting performances and acknowledge their contribution to bringing the characters to life. While there are a couple of criticisms regarding the lack of voice acting for the player character and the inconsistency in voice acting during dialogue options, these issues do not overshadow the overall positive sentiment towards the voice acting in the game. The voice acting in Road 96: Mile 0 is generally considered believable, immersive, and successful in enhancing the player's connection with the characters and their stories.

In terms of the technical performance on Xbox Series X, the majority of critics had positive experiences. The Games Machine noted that there were no issues on this platform, although they did mention the low polygon count as a potential limitation. XboxEra also praised the game for running perfectly on Xbox Series X with no issues, although they did mention occasional longer loading times. These positive experiences indicate that Road 96: Mile 0 generally performs well on Xbox Series X, providing a smooth and enjoyable gameplay experience. On the other hand, the Nintendo Switch version of the game faced some technical challenges. Pocket Tactics highlighted framerate stutters, texture pop-in, and long loading screens as drawbacks on this platform. These issues may negatively impact the overall experience for players on the Switch. For PC players, the technical performance of Road 96: Mile 0 had mixed reviews. Worth Playing mentioned that the game's frame rate held steady even during a big sandstorm, indicating good performance. However, Shacknews reported multiple crashes after the second act, leading to progress loss. This is a significant issue that can greatly impact the enjoyment and immersion of the game on PC. Moving on to the PlayStation 5, the general consensus among critics is that the game runs well with no major graphical or performance issues. But Why Tho? and GamingBolt both had positive experiences, with no significant technical problems mentioned. However, XGN reported technical issues such as controller problems and disappearing exits in certain locations. These issues may hinder the gameplay experience for some players on the PS5. Overall, the critics' opinions on the technical performance of Road 96: Mile 0 varied depending on the gaming platform. Xbox Series X received positive feedback, with no major issues mentioned. The Nintendo Switch version faced challenges with framerate stutters, texture pop-in, and long loading screens. PC players experienced crashes that caused progress loss, while PlayStation 5 generally ran well but had some minor issues. It is important for players to consider these technical aspects when choosing the platform to play Road 96: Mile 0 on.

The opinions of the critics regarding the replay value of Road 96: Mile 0 are mixed. Several critics highlight the positive aspects of replayability in the game. XboxAddict mentions that the game offers multiple endings and encourages multiple playthroughs to discover everything in the story. Pocket Tactics also states that multiple playthroughs are encouraged to see and understand everything. COGconnected adds that the game incentivizes replayability through choices that alter the outcome and make certain options unavailable in subsequent playthroughs. They also mention the addictive gameplay segments and variety of experiences as contributing factors to the replay value. But Why Tho? praises the short and enjoyable levels that provide lots of checkpoints, allowing players to replay them multiple times to get the best scores possible. They also mention the presence of fun minigames and collectibles to find. On the other hand, some critics express negative opinions about the replay value of Road 96: Mile 0. The Games Machine states that the prequel nature of the game limits the impact of player choices, as the trajectory of Zoe's story is already known. XboxEra mentions that the game can easily be avoided without missing out on anything, especially for fans of the original game. Digital Chumps notes that the game has less replay value compared to the original game, lacking the same level of consequences for player actions. Twinfinite adds that there is no score requirement to progress through the story, and the 'Rides' sections are not interesting enough to replay. XGN states that the game is short and does not encourage replaying despite the choices available. Overall, the critics' opinions on the replay value of Road 96: Mile 0 are divided. While some critics highlight the multiple endings, choices that alter the outcome, and addictive gameplay segments as positive factors contributing to replayability, others mention the limitations of player choices due to the prequel nature of the game and the lack of incentives to replay. The consensus among the critics seems to be that the game may appeal to fans of the original game or those already invested in the characters, but it may not be considered an essential play for others seeking a game with extensive replay value.