Stein;Gate 0 is (kind of) an alternate ending to original the Steins;Gate. If you are one of the very few who haven't seen the original Steins;Gate, do it. Now. Then watch this series. This review is spoiler free and aimed at those contemplating whether to watch this series.
Seeing the Kyouma persona knocked out of Okabe, and therefore this series - removes much of the lighter feeling that the original had. This doesn't make this show any less engaging. Rather it trades comedy and light hearted moments for a tragic wistfulness that I personally adore. This also isn't to say their aren't lighter moments, because there are - but overall there is a much greater overarching sense of loss, the shadow of a missing person. This makes Zero feel not like a repeat of the first season, but a depature - albeit one I'm sure we will see tie in to the first season nicely by its conclusion.
There are particularly beautiful allusions in the first episode, for instance we see Mayuri reach for the sky. Only now this is movingly appropriated to become a tragic symbol. This sets the tone for the series as a whole. If you don't like the sound of that, you may be inclined to enjoy this series less than the first. I however, love it.
The art is very much on par with season one, very well done. I personally have found the music to be unfortunately not quite as heart grabbing as the themes of season one. They have used variation on the musical themes of the original soundtrack - which I think is brilliant, only the execution so far hasn't grabbed me. There is still plenty of time left though for it to grow on me and for new themes to be introduced. The Opening and Closing are very good.
If you enjoy an air of dark pathos in the context of a broader more epic story, then this show will speak your language. If you need lighter and comedic moments to get you through, then Steins;Gate 0 will not be your thing. I still however recommend this strongly to all anime fans.
