Road 96: Mile 0 - A disappointing prequel lacking musical charm and narrative depth

I'm a big fan of Road 96. This narrative game, reminiscent of a roguelike, was released in August 2021 and shone in one area. By placing the whole story in the setting of multiple hitchhiking trips across the US, it was able to encapsulate a certain allure associated with this method of transportation. Each distinct character's separate, historical bits held more impact because they unfolded within the fleeting space of these journeys.

I wasn't significantly troubled by the artificiality of the fictional world or the stark political opposition. As a player, I accepted this as part of the transient experience of being introduced to so many various worlds and viewpoints all at once in a short span of time. Upon completion of the game, I was left with the impression of having lived through a vivid, memorable dream.

Road 96: Mile 0, the recently released prequel to Road 96, jettisons all that charm. What stands in its stead is a plain, heavy-handed message, accompanied by an abundance of unremarkable music.

Zoe and Kaito are as different as night and day. Zoe is the daughter of a high-ranking government official, an agent of the regime that tightly controls the fictional version of the United States in the mid-90s. Conversely, Kaito resides with his impoverished parents in a single-room basement apartment in an underprivileged neighborhood. Yet, they share one common experience. Zoe is grappling with the traumatic recollection of an assault that marked the inception of the prevailing political structure. Kaito lost his best friend in the same attack.

We encounter these two protagonists a few days before a pivotal political event and a revelation that could have a significant impact on the country's situation. The choices each character makes is determined by the player's decisions (we toggle between them during gameplay). Zoe's options range from remaining faithful to her family to siding with Kaito and doubting everything she has held true all her life. Conversely, Kaito can lean towards radical rebellion or align with Zoe's initial disposition and start questioning if the rebels are completely just.

The main issue lies in the fact that the central conflict is articulated so distinctly, it borders on the ridiculous. The characters in Road 96: Mile 0, much like in its predecessor, do not play with subtleties. However, unlike its predecessor, it compels us to interpret the narrative quite literally, without the benefit of an immersive hitchhiking backdrop. As a result, this game comes across as hard to take seriously.

The team behind Road 96: Mile 0, Digixart, defines the game as a narrative adventure enriched with musical elements. Referring to the first element, the game primarily entails "walking simulation". Players traverse primarily small locations in every chapter, looking for interaction points and characters to communicate with. Occasionally, players make inconsequential choices driving the character they currently control towards one extreme or another. The core gameplay is interspersed with simplistic mini-games.

In the context of hitchhiking adventures, justifying the confinement and conventionality of locations was simple. After all, when covering hundreds or thousands of miles in unfavorable conditions, it’s no place for extended sightseeing or scenic enjoyments. In Mile 0, we’re asked to believe that city districts are comparable in size to school fields, and that Zoe, the main protagonist, coincidentally lives on the same street as both the incumbent president and a popular television news star.

It proves exceptionally arduous to become engrossed in this world or truly care for its destiny or that of its characters. Were it not for my strong partiality towards the aesthetics of the 90s and narratives of youthful insurrection, it would've been a challenge for me to endure this story. In the end, likable characters coupled with decent acting somewhat salvage the experience. However, its memory will probably fade rather quickly.

One aspect that could’ve potentially salvaged Road 96: Mile 0 is its music-centric stages. In each chapter, one or several "music video" sequences become available. Players alternately control the two main characters as they traverse abstract interpretations of events and their accompanying emotions on rollerblades and skateboards. For instance, in one of the initial stages, while Zoe is fleeing from her security officer, we envision him as a giant monster wreaking havoc on the city. In another, Zoe’s illusion of the world physically crumbles, divulging a harsh truth.

These elements are arguably the most interesting and unique facets of the game, primarily due to their novelty. They, however, fall short in what should be their main focus - the music. The game, regrettably, only has one commendable track. A song by the formidable band, The Midnight, used in the game’s promotional materials. Beyond that, the soundtrack includes a completely out-of-context song by The Offspring, followed by lesser quality instrumental electronica. While this is subject to personal taste, it feels like the creators sourced these tracks from royalty-free music websites.

It’s unfortunate because quality music could have greatly enhanced the game's appeal. I found myself replaying the level with the song by The Midnight several times, primarily due to the superb soundtrack. On the other hand, I found it a struggle to complete the rest of the game after one playthrough.

I feel a deep sense of regret for Road 96: Mile 0 because it’s evident that the creators put their hearts into the project. Their goal was to talk about adolescence, the trials of growing up, encapsulating fleeting moments of youth, and perhaps offering some poignant commentary about the world. I genuinely admire that.

Unfortunately, they fell short. It could be a lack of time, money, or the elusive spark of inspiration that led to this. The game, as it stands, is simply uninteresting. It feels like an unfulfilled vision, a bare-bones structure upon which an engaging narrative adventure might have been constructed. Out of sheer desperation, one might find something to like, and playing it isn’t painful. However, it ended up merely tarnishing my fond memories of its predecessor, Road 96.