Bleeding Roots

About

Bleeding Roots is a single player action game with horror, mystery and thriller themes. It was developed by maruchanwu and was released on September 7, 2024. It received very positive reviews from players.

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

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

93%

Audience ScoreBased on 174 reviews

story12 positive mentions

grinding3 negative mentions

A short, impactful experience that effectively conveys themes of grief and obsession through its narrative and atmosphere.
The retro PS1-style graphics and sound design create a haunting ambiance that enhances the overall experience.
It's a free game that offers a unique introspective journey, making it worth the 15-20 minutes of playtime.

The game is very short and may leave players wanting more in terms of depth and story development.
Controls can be clunky and may detract from the overall experience, especially for those used to smoother mechanics.
Some players may find the themes of self-harm and depression distressing, making it unsuitable for everyone.

story
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
59%
8%
The game's story is a short yet impactful narrative that explores themes of loss and obsession through the lens of a man's deteriorating life and his relationship with plants. While some players found the story intriguing and atmospheric, others criticized it for being underwhelming or lacking depth, with mixed feelings about its execution and clarity. Overall, it offers a unique, unsettling experience that resonates emotionally, though it may not satisfy all players seeking a more complex plot.
- “It's very interesting, a story of a man whose life is slowly falling apart through the seasons and his only obsession to keep his sanity being the plants he takes care of.”
- “More than just a game, this feels like a playable story, an introspective experience disguised as simple mechanics.”
- “Bleeding Roots delivers on its promise with a compelling, chilling short story and simple gameplay that you'll definitely enjoy!”
- “It's nothing special, has no huge plot twist, and is missing a lot.”
- “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.”
graphics
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
37%
13%
The graphics of the game are heavily inspired by the PS1 era, featuring pixelated visuals and a retro aesthetic that evoke nostalgia for classic horror titles. Many players appreciate the artistic style and atmospheric design, which effectively contribute to the game's mood, despite some criticism regarding control mechanics and overall graphical fidelity. Overall, the visuals are well-received for their ability to enhance the storytelling and immersive experience, particularly for fans of retro gaming.
- “Great use of PS1 era graphics to set the mood.”
- “The artistic aspect is on point; it has PS1 graphics and tank controls (which I like) and some nice early Resident Evil-esque fixed camera moments.”
- “The atmosphere and sound design are spot on, and the graphics lend themselves well to an overall sense of unease.”
- “An interesting short horror story with PS1-era graphics and tank controls.”
- “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??”
atmosphere
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
65%
17%
18%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and haunting qualities, enhanced by effective sound design and minimalist graphics that evoke a sense of unease. Players appreciate the seasonal progression and narrative depth, which contribute to a captivating experience despite the game's short runtime. Overall, the atmosphere is described as dark, oppressive, and thought-provoking, making it a standout feature of the game.
- “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
30%
40%
30%
The gameplay of "Bleeding Roots" is characterized by its minimalist design and simple mechanics, focusing on a narrative-driven experience that emphasizes introspection. While the retro-style gameplay may resonate with some players, the stiffness of the controls can hinder enjoyment, particularly for those used to more fluid mechanics. Overall, the straightforward actions of watering plants are imbued with deeper meaning, enhancing the atmospheric storytelling.
- “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
100%
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, 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
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by clever observations and witty commentary, such as the protagonist's reflections on personal responsibility and amusing visual details like the tennis balls in the backyard. Players also find humor in the game's controls and specific plot points, like the delivery of divorce papers, which adds a lighthearted touch to the overall experience.
- “I found myself chuckling at the final season and reading the descriptions of the flowers, thinking, 'Well buddy, if you took care of your wife, your life, or your other plants, this wouldn't be happening now, would it?' I was a little puzzled at the backyard viewing area considering you can see tennis balls there. Though since you don't have a dog, I guess it was more focused on taking a look at the little graffiti easter egg there.”
- “Apropos direction, the controls are hilarious.”
- “It was funny when he got the divorce papers.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
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 in this game feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “While the game has its charm, the amount of grinding required to progress is frustrating.”
- “I appreciate the game's design, but the grinding aspect really drags down the overall experience.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game offers limited replayability, though it evokes nostalgia for classic PlayStation titles.
- “Not a ton of replayability, but it reminds me of old PlayStation games.”