Steins;Gate fans got major news during the WePlay Expo 2025 in Shanghai. Series producer Tatsuya Matsubara confirmed that Steins;Gate Re:Boot will include a completely new seventh ending on top of the original six routes. That’s not all though. The development team is also re-recording all the voice acting and reworking the entire music soundtrack. What started as a straightforward remake has evolved into something much more ambitious.
What Makes This Different From Elite
Steins;Gate Re:Boot uses Steins;Gate Elite as its foundation rather than the original 2009 visual novel. Elite incorporated elements from the 2011 anime adaptation with new voice work and animation for routes the anime didn’t cover. Re:Boot takes that version and pushes it further with updated graphics by original character designer huke, a modernized user interface, and now this seventh narrative route that expands the story in new directions.
The decision to base Re:Boot on Elite instead of the original has sparked discussion among fans. Elite received mixed reactions when it launched in 2018 because it sat awkwardly between the original visual novel and the anime. Critics argued it used too many recycled scenes from the anime, making it feel redundant when both the original game and anime already existed. Re:Boot aims to justify its existence by offering substantial new content rather than just a visual refresh.
The New Seventh Route
Details about the new ending remain scarce, but Matsubara confirmed it will feature additional scenes with main characters Rintaro Okabe and Kurisu Makise. Given how central their relationship is to Steins;Gate’s story, this strongly suggests the new route explores their dynamic in ways the original game didn’t. The seventh ending also includes a brand new theme song by Kanako Itou, who composed many of Steins;Gate’s iconic tracks including the legendary Skyclad Observer.
The amount of work required for this new route is substantial. Matsubara mentioned that playing through Re:Boot will take approximately 30-50 hours, which is comparable to the original game. Adding a seventh route with full voice acting, new animations, and additional scenes represents a significant chunk of new content. This isn’t just a quick epilogue tacked on at the end.
Complete Audio Overhaul
Perhaps the most surprising revelation is that the development team is re-recording all of the voice acting from scratch. The original cast returns, including Miyano Mamoru as Okabe Rintaro, Imai Asami as Makise Kurisu, Hanazawa Kana as Shiina Mayuri, and the rest of the beloved ensemble. But they’re recording new takes for every line in the game rather than reusing existing audio.
The music is getting similar treatment with a complete rework. This level of commitment goes well beyond what most remakes attempt. Matsubara explained that the delay from the original 2025 release window to 2026 happened specifically because the team kept taking on additional tasks out of enthusiasm. Re-recording thousands of voice lines and reworking the entire soundtrack aren’t small undertakings.
Visual Updates and Modernization
Original character designer huke has redesigned outfits and accessories for the cast to give them a more contemporary look. Early screenshots show significantly upgraded backgrounds and character art compared to both the original and Elite. Akihabara, the setting for much of Steins;Gate’s story, has been recreated with what MAGES describes as stunning realism and depth using authentic references from the era.
Event stills, the static images shown during key story moments, have been completely recreated from storyboards rather than just upscaled. MAGES claims these new stills are more closely tied to the narrative and deliver greater dramatic impact. Additional scenes not present in the original version have been added to deepen immersion. The user interface has also received a complete overhaul for modern platforms.
Platform Details and Western Release
Spike Chunsoft confirmed that Steins;Gate Re:Boot is coming to North America and Europe in 2026 alongside the Japanese release. Specific platforms haven’t been officially announced, but the game will at minimum launch on PC via Steam where it’s already available for wishlisting. Given Spike Chunsoft’s recent release patterns, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch versions seem likely as well.
The 2026 release window gives the development team the breathing room they need to complete the ambitious scope they’ve taken on. With completely new voice recording, reworked music, visual upgrades, UI overhaul, and an entire new story route, this is shaping up to be far more than a typical remaster or remake.
Future of Science Adventure
When asked about the broader Science Adventure franchise, which includes other visual novels like Chaos;Head and Robotics;Notes, Matsubara revealed that a new title is in development parallel to Re:Boot. He couldn’t share specifics yet, but this confirms MAGES isn’t putting all their resources into remakes. The Science Adventure series still has an active future beyond revisiting past classics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I play the original Steins;Gate or wait for Re:Boot?
If you’ve never experienced Steins;Gate, the original 2009 visual novel and the anime are both excellent and available now. Re:Boot won’t launch until 2026, so waiting means missing out for over a year. That said, if you prefer modern visuals and interfaces, waiting for Re:Boot might be worthwhile.
Will the seventh ending change the canon story?
It’s unclear whether the new route represents an alternate timeline or expands on the existing true ending. MAGES hasn’t revealed how the seventh ending fits into the overall narrative structure yet.
Is Steins;Gate Elite worth playing now or should I skip it?
Elite received mixed reviews for sitting awkwardly between the original visual novel and anime. Since Re:Boot is based on Elite but adds significant new content, you might be better off either playing the original or waiting for Re:Boot unless you really want the animated presentation Elite offers.
Will Re:Boot include content from Steins;Gate 0?
There’s no indication that Re:Boot incorporates Steins;Gate 0, the midquel that explores an alternate timeline. Re:Boot appears focused on expanding the original game’s story rather than combining multiple entries.
Why is MAGES remaking Steins;Gate again instead of creating new games?
The 15th anniversary celebration prompted this remake, and Matsubara confirmed a new Science Adventure title is in development alongside Re:Boot. They’re doing both rather than choosing one or the other.
Will the original Japanese voice cast return?
Yes, the entire original cast is returning to re-record their roles. This includes Miyano Mamoru, Imai Asami, Hanazawa Kana, and all the other voice actors who brought these characters to life.
How much will Steins;Gate Re:Boot cost?
Pricing hasn’t been announced yet. Given the amount of new content and production work involved, expect it to be priced as a full release rather than a budget title.
Conclusion
Steins;Gate Re:Boot has transformed from a simple remake into an ambitious reimagining of one of the most beloved visual novels ever created. The combination of a brand new seventh ending, completely re-recorded voice acting, reworked music, modernized visuals, and overhauled interface shows a development team committed to doing justice to the source material. Whether you’re a longtime fan who’s already experienced Steins;Gate multiple times or a newcomer who’s been waiting for the right entry point, Re:Boot is shaping up to be the definitive version when it launches in 2026. The question isn’t whether this remake is necessary, but whether the new content and improvements justify revisiting a story many fans already know by heart. Based on what MAGES has revealed so far, the answer looks increasingly like yes.