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Bleeding Roots

92%Game Brain Score
story, graphics
gameplay, grinding
92% User Score Based on 144 reviews

Platforms

PCPCPlayStationPlayStation
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About

Bleeding Roots is a short horror walking simulator taking place throughout the seasons. Water the plants in your garden, learn about them, and grow along them over time. Immerse yourself in a story about loss, grief and obsession. The controls are simple, moving the character through tank controls and reading up on the environment with an interact key.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Bleeding Roots screenshot
Bleeding Roots screenshot
Bleeding Roots screenshot
Bleeding Roots screenshot

92%
Audience ScoreBased on 144 reviews
story8 positive mentions
grinding3 negative mentions
  • The game offers a poignant and introspective experience, effectively portraying themes of loneliness and grief through its narrative and gameplay.
  • Its short runtime of about 15 minutes is well-executed, providing a captivating atmosphere and impactful storytelling without overstaying its welcome.
  • The visuals and sound design create a beautiful yet unsettling ambiance, enhancing the emotional depth of the protagonist's journey.
  • The controls can be clunky and reminiscent of older games, which may detract from the overall experience for some players.
  • While the game is intended to be a horror experience, many players found it more sad and contemplative than genuinely scary, leading to mixed expectations.
  • The narrative, while intriguing, may leave some players wanting more depth and resolution, as it can feel somewhat anticlimactic.
  • story
    28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is described as a compelling and introspective narrative that explores themes of loss and emotional complexity, set against a haunting atmosphere. While some players appreciate its short, impactful storytelling and unique premise involving plant care, others find it lacking in depth and clarity, with mixed feelings about its unsettling vibe. Overall, it offers a brief yet thought-provoking experience, though opinions vary on its execution and effectiveness.

    • “More than just a game, this feels like a playable story, an introspective experience disguised as simple mechanics.”
    • “This simple yet poignant setup sets the stage for a story that delves into the emotional and psychological complexities of coping with loss.”
    • “Really impressed with the ability to take a very sad, depressing story and still make it really impactful and interesting.”
    • “However, the story is not well conveyed, leaving much of the narrative up to imagination.”
    • “I wouldn’t recommend this game primarily due to the lack of a clear story.”
    • “Story was meh.”
  • graphics
    18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game evoke a nostalgic PS1 aesthetic, featuring pixelated visuals and a cinematic camera that enhance the overall atmosphere. While some players appreciate the retro style and its ability to create unease, others criticize the graphics as lacking in fidelity and detail. Overall, the visuals contribute to a unique experience, particularly for fans of retro gaming, despite mixed opinions on their execution.

    • “The atmosphere and sound design are spot on, and the graphics lend themselves well to an overall sense of unease.”
    • “Nice graphic style, movement had the proper speed, animations were on point.”
    • “If you enjoy laid-back vibes and games reminiscent of the potato age of graphics, it's worth the 10 minutes of play-through.”
    • “Controls are bad, graphics are even worse, story is kinda lame, audio - what audio??”
    • “Visuals are straight out of Silent Hill 2.”
  • atmosphere
    15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of "Bleeding Roots" is widely praised for its haunting and unsettling qualities, enhanced by effective sound design and minimalist graphics that evoke a sense of unease. Players appreciate the game's ability to create a captivating and immersive experience, with the seasonal progression of the garden reflecting the unfolding narrative. Overall, the atmosphere is described as dark, atmospheric, and thought-provoking, making it a compelling short horror experience.

    • “It features a short story about a man tending to his plants, four seasons, and well-adapted sound design that intensifies the atmosphere.”
    • “Overall, 'Bleeding Roots' is a thoughtful, atmospheric experience that combines minimalist gameplay with a haunting narrative.”
    • “The atmosphere and sound design are spot on, and the graphics lend themselves well to an overall sense of unease.”
    • “Very simple gameplay loop, but anyone who is into these dark and oppressive atmospheres will surely love this one.”
    • “I feel it is narratively well-structured, and I like how the gory touch contributes to the atmosphere.”
    • “Very good game with an unnerving atmosphere; a little tedious, but it tells a good short story.”
  • gameplay
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Bleeding Roots" is characterized by its minimalist design and simple mechanics, focusing on a narrative-driven experience where players control a character watering plants. While the retro-style appeal may resonate with some, the stiffness of the controls can hinder enjoyment, particularly for those used to more fluid gameplay. Overall, the game's thoughtful atmosphere and meaningful actions contribute to a compelling and introspective experience.

    • “More than just a game, this feels like a playable story, an introspective experience disguised as simple mechanics.”
    • “Overall, 'Bleeding Roots' is a thoughtful, atmospheric experience that combines minimalist gameplay with a haunting narrative.”
    • “The controls and even gameplay are quite simple, but the meaning behind every small action and event adds so much to the flow of everything.”
    • “While this minimalist design may appeal to fans of retro-style gameplay, the stiffness of the controls can detract from the experience, especially for players accustomed to smoother mechanics.”
    • “The gameplay is only about controlling a man watering plants in front of the house, in the backyard and in a small garage.”
    • “No gameplay, you can't run and the punch was incredibly predictable.”
  • emotional
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is described as a beautiful yet heartbreaking experience that explores the emotional and psychological complexities of coping with loss through its poignant narrative and unique horror element. Despite its short duration and simple graphics, it can evoke deep feelings of sadness and introspection, making it a potentially soul-crushing experience for players in the right mood. Overall, it offers a fun yet emotionally impactful journey.

    • “It’s both beautiful and heartbreaking.”
    • “This simple yet poignant setup sets the stage for a story that delves into the emotional and psychological complexities of coping with loss.”
    • “While short, only 15 minutes, and free (no graphical fidelity here, casuals may miss it), this game, given the mood of the player, can be quite heart-wrenching and soul-crushing.”
  • humor
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Users find the humor in the game to be effective, highlighting moments such as the amusing controls and a particularly funny scene involving divorce papers. Overall, the comedic elements contribute positively to the gaming experience.

    • “The controls are hilarious and add a unique twist to the gameplay.”
    • “It was funny when he received the divorce papers, adding a humorous touch to the storyline.”
  • grinding
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat tedious, yet it complements the cozy farming experience and contributes to the overall narrative, which is engaging despite its brevity.

    • “The grinding feels endless and takes away from the enjoyment of the game.”
    • “I found the repetitive tasks to be a major drag, making it hard to stay engaged.”
    • “While the game has potential, the excessive grinding really hampers the overall experience.”

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