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Road 96: Mile 0, developed by DigixArt, serves as a prequel to the critically acclaimed narrative adventure, Road 96. While the original game followed teenagers escaping the authoritarian nation of Petria, Mile 0 centers around Zoe, a pivotal character from the original story, and her friend Kaito. This prequel explores their lives in Petria leading up to the events of Road 96, focusing on Zoe’s evolving beliefs about her country. Does this shift in gameplay enhance the experience or detract from the original’s impact? Let’s dive into this Road 96: Mile 0 review to find out.

Road 96: Mile 0

Set just days before the original game, Road 96: Mile 0 introduces us to Zoe, the daughter of Petria’s Minister of Oil, and her close friend Kaito, whose parents belong to the working class. Zoe, raised in privilege, initially believes the current regime isn’t inherently bad. Conversely, Kaito, experiencing the hardships of poverty, believes the government needs to be overthrown. Can they reconcile their conflicting viewpoints? Will their decisions lead to significant change in Petria? The answers lie within the player’s choices.

The Weight of Choices in Petria

The gameplay in Road 96: Mile 0 is split between making decisions and engaging in “Ride” sequences. The decision-making aspect, unfortunately, falls short of its potential. Players navigate conversations and scenarios as both Zoe and Kaito, making choices that influence their political stances. These stances are visualized on a balance bar, replacing the typical health bar. Zoe, starting with a pro-regime viewpoint due to her upbringing, can be swayed in either direction.

Road 96: Mile 0

Kaito, on the other hand, firmly believes in revolution due to his experiences with oppression and his family’s involvement with the Black Brigade, a radical organization seeking change. While Kaito’s core beliefs remain steadfast, player choices can influence the intensity of his approach, leaning towards more extreme or moderate solutions.

Road 96: Mile 0

The critical flaw is that the majority of these choices feel inconsequential. Despite influencing the characters’ political leanings throughout the game, the ending hinges on only three final decisions. This undermines the sense of agency and renders many earlier choices meaningless. A more impactful system would have tied the final choices to the characters’ developed viewpoints, creating a stronger narrative connection.

Road 96: Mile 0

Narrative Shortcomings

Beyond the choice mechanics, Road 96: Mile 0 suffers from narrative inconsistencies. Kaito’s backstory involving a deceased friend named Aya, crucial to his revolutionary motivations, lacks sufficient development within the game itself. This crucial relationship is established in DigixArt’s previous title, Lost in Harmony, assuming players have prior knowledge.

Road 96: Mile 0

Similarly, the central friendship between Kaito and Zoe, despite its significance to the plot, feels underdeveloped. The game misses an opportunity to explore the origins and depth of their bond, especially given their contrasting backgrounds. This weakens the emotional impact of their shared journey.

Road 96: Mile 0

Riding the Emotional Waves

The “Ride” sequences offer a refreshing contrast to the narrative’s shortcomings. These surreal, rhythm-based segments combine skateboarding and rollerblading with elements reminiscent of games like Subway Surfers and Temple Run. Visually captivating, these sequences serve as more than just gameplay diversions; they become a powerful storytelling tool. They effectively convey the characters’ emotions, dreams, and struggles through shifting visuals and varying levels of intensity.

Road 96: Mile 0

One particularly impactful “Ride” sequence visually splits the screen to showcase Kaito and Zoe’s contrasting perspectives of Petria, highlighting the stark divide between their realities. The music accompanying these segments further enhances the experience, effectively capturing the atmosphere and emotional tone of each scene. The 90s-inspired soundtrack perfectly complements the game’s setting.

Road 96: Mile 0

Conclusion: A Journey Worth Taking, With Caveats

Road 96: Mile 0 offers a compelling prequel experience, delving deeper into the world of Road 96. While the “Ride” sequences are innovative and engaging, and the narrative raises thought-provoking questions about social and political divides, the underwhelming choice mechanics and narrative inconsistencies hold it back from reaching its full potential. Despite its flaws, Mile 0 is still a worthwhile experience for fans of the original, providing valuable context and emotional depth to its characters and setting.