Demons Roots

About

In Demons Roots, play as demons who have returned to the human world after a thousand years in the Dark Realm. With humanity on the brink of self-destruction, allies among the downtrodden find common ground with the demons to fight their oppressors. This unique twist on the classic demon-invasion narrative explores a world where alliances shift and power dynamics are overturned.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 732 reviews

story322 positive mentions

grinding24 negative mentions

Demons Roots features a captivating story with intricate world-building and unforgettable characters, making it one of the best RPG Maker games ever.
The game successfully blends emotional depth with engaging gameplay, keeping players invested throughout its lengthy playtime.
The soundtrack, composed by Shade, enhances the overall experience, with memorable tracks that complement the story's emotional moments.

The combat system is fairly standard for RPG Maker games, which may feel repetitive and unchallenging for some players.
Some players may find the H content jarring or unnecessary, as it can detract from the otherwise strong narrative.
The ending has been criticized for feeling rushed and not providing a satisfying resolution to the character arcs developed throughout the game.

story
972 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
63%
3%
The story of "Demons Roots" is widely praised for its depth, emotional engagement, and intricate character development, often described as a standout in the RPG Maker genre. Players appreciate its unique perspective on the demon-human conflict, rich world-building, and the way it tackles mature themes without shying away from darker elements. While some critiques mention pacing issues and moments of forced narrative, the overall consensus is that the story is compelling enough to overshadow its flaws, making it a must-play for fans of story-driven games.
- “I've never seen an indie game with such an intricate story, unforgettable characters, and expansive world-building.”
- “Demons Roots really is a masterpiece; the characters are well-written and the story is peak fiction.”
- “The story doesn't shy away from sensitive topics and keeps you engaged with thoughtful and important conversations between friend and foe.”
- “Listen, if the decent story part starts to show up only after 30+ hours, that simply means that the whole story is garbage!”
- “The gameplay is aggressively average, and what I've played of the story really isn't as good as people hype it up to be.”
- “The story doesn't make any sense - ended up just skipping it.”
music
240 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
64%
2%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, particularly for its original tracks composed by Shade, which enhance emotional moments and gameplay experiences. While some tracks are stock RPG Maker music, they are well-integrated and do not detract from the overall atmosphere. Despite minor technical issues with looping, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, with many players expressing a desire to revisit the music long after completing the game.
- “The music by composer Shade really shines and makes beautiful and tense moments feel really impactful without the need of voice over.”
- “I found myself listening to the soundtrack regularly for months after playing, just to relive the moments that got ingrained in my mind with it.”
- “The soundtrack is outstanding, 10 out of 10.”
- “There are a lot of stock RPG Maker sprites and graphics, as well as royalty-free music.”
- “The engine used sucks; in my playthrough, the music paused mid-loop frequently enough to irritate me and spoil a few hype moments.”
- “However, there does seem to be a bug with the new music not looping properly. The song will pause for a few seconds after it ends before starting over again.”
gameplay
176 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
66%
5%
The gameplay of "Demons Roots" is characterized as a standard turn-based RPG experience typical of RPG Maker titles, featuring a mix of traditional mechanics and some creative elements. While some players find it engaging and well-balanced, others criticize it for being mediocre and repetitive, with a few noting that the story and characters significantly enhance the overall experience. Overall, the gameplay is seen as solid but not groundbreaking, with many reviewers appreciating the effort put into making it enjoyable despite its conventional roots.
- “Demons Roots probably has the best gameplay you could have in an RPG Maker game.”
- “The gameplay is traditional JRPG turn-based combat that is not very difficult outside of a few fights.”
- “I've never played a JRPG with such an interesting world, tactical and challenging gameplay that scratches every min/max dream I could hope for, and had me running a gauntlet of emotions from humor to fear to triumph to betrayal to sadness.”
- “I try to endure this torture of a bloody amalgam of crappy gameplay, lousy script, and cheap pictures drawn in MS Paint for 3.5 hours, but man, I give up.”
- “The gameplay is aggressively average and what I've played of the story really isn't as good as people hype it up to be.”
- “It's just okay in terms of quality, is very sparse and poorly integrated with the gameplay, and the actual game is just too good to truly care about it.”
emotional
124 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of "Demon Roots" is highly praised, with players describing it as an unforgettable journey filled with deep, mature themes and character development that elicits strong feelings. Many reviewers noted the game's ability to create an emotional rollercoaster, leading to moments of joy, heartbreak, and profound attachment to the characters, often resulting in tears during pivotal scenes. The narrative's twists and heartfelt interactions contribute to a rich emotional experience that resonates long after gameplay, making it stand out in the JRPG genre.
- “It tackles serious themes and takes the player on an emotional rollercoaster, pulling them into the depths and allowing them to linger on their feelings for minutes to hours, before pulling them to peaks that would not be possible without.”
- “I rarely ever cry when it comes to games, but I cried on two separate occasions while playing this game. Granted, it had 50 hours to tell its story to me, but not once in those 50 hours did I feel like the game was a chore or getting boring; there was always something going on.”
- “The narrative made me feel alive in a way that I couldn't quite describe; generally, the entire game has this aura that enamored me from start to end.”
graphics
60 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
68%
5%
The graphics in the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the unique and vibrant art style that enhances character and atmosphere, while others criticize the reliance on stock RPG Maker sprites and lack of graphical polish in certain areas. Despite these criticisms, many players find the visuals appealing and well-executed, contributing positively to the overall experience. Overall, the game's art style is noted as a standout feature, making it memorable and engaging for players.
- “The game's art style is unique and memorable, and it's a pleasure to see the game's world in motion.”
- “In conclusion, Demons Roots is a truly unique and innovative RPG that offers a refreshing take on the traditional RPG formula by allowing players to experience the story from the perspective of the 'bad guys.' The game's well-written story, engaging gameplay, and beautiful graphics make it a must-play for any fan of the genre.”
- “This game is very much a slow burn, but the graphics are so pretty (bonus points for the resolution to work and move around seamlessly). The H-scenes are good as well, and there is an option to turn them off or on; the game has excellent worldbuilding.”
- “Unfortunately, this reflects in its visuals.”
- “There are a lot of stock RPG Maker sprites and graphics, as well as royalty-free music.”
- “I know, I know; I hate people who complain about graphics as much as anyone else might, but video games are just as much a visual art as they are a musical and written art, and Demons Roots is, visually, absurdly boring.”
grinding
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
7%
86%
Overall, players have mixed feelings about grinding in the game. While some found it manageable and not overly tedious, particularly appreciating the focus on story and character development, others noted that the mid to late game can become excessively grindy, detracting from motivation and pacing. Many agree that grinding is not a major issue, but it can still feel repetitive and boring at times.
- “At least it's not very grindy.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Surprisingly decent writing and depth, but the mid-late game is so grindy it really kills a lot of motivation to continue.”
- “It's not frustrating, just somewhat grindy and boring.”
- “No amount of grinding is going to change anything.”
humor
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a standout feature, with players experiencing a wide range of emotions from laughter to fear, often prompted by the engaging and witty dialogue among the diverse cast of characters. The main heroine, Deathpolca, and her companions are described as charming and funny, contributing to a lighthearted atmosphere that contrasts with the game's more serious themes. Overall, the writing is praised for its humor and character depth, making the interactions enjoyable and memorable.
- “I've never played a JRPG with such an interesting world, tactical and challenging gameplay that scratches every min/max dream I could hope for, and had me running a gauntlet of emotions from humor to fear to triumph to betrayal to sadness.”
- “It is especially funny because it took me by surprise with the prologue since I hadn't actually read the synopsis before starting the game, so I had no idea that I was supposed to lead demonkind in their conquest.”
- “The writing can be funny, the plot is easy to understand and (most importantly) the characters are likable and entertaining folks that you want to spend time with.”
atmosphere
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
61%
17%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its emotional depth and mature themes, complemented by beautiful artwork and a diverse range of environments that each convey their own unique culture and mood. While the soundtrack is noted as average, certain tracks enhance the overall experience, and the absence of jumpscares makes it accessible for players sensitive to horror elements. Overall, the game's world feels alive and engaging, making the journey through its various territories enjoyable despite a lack of impactful player choices.
- “The levels are beautiful, the music is tasteful, the characters are charming, the atmosphere is fantastic and the world is just brimming with life!”
- “+ great artwork, it captures the situation and atmosphere of the situation really well.”
- “Also for cowards weak to the slightest jumpscare like me: [spoiler] there's no jumpscares, only 1 area with a creepy atmosphere and you get chased.”
- “As the story goes, you see more and more of the world of demon roots and boy is there certainly a lot to see, every area feels different from the last with its own atmosphere and culture, one day you'll be fighting in a wasteland full of barbarians who enjoy torturing people for fun, the next you'll be in a massive merchant city planning a coup d'état.”
- “It would have been nice to be able to make choices that would have an impact on the course of the game, but it's ok because the atmosphere and the story of the game make us easily forget this small detail and it is very pleasant to follow the story and discover this world like no other.”
character development
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
Character development in the game is praised for its depth and engaging narrative, with players noting interesting twists and epic moments that enhance the overall experience. The integration of adult content is seen as a fitting element within the violent fantasy setting, contributing positively to character growth. Additionally, the character designs, while catering to specific fetishes, are highlighted as a significant aspect of the game's appeal.
- “Great character development, interesting twists, epic moments, just a gem of a game really.”
- “What drives it all home is the excellent character design and narrative, which house the entire experience.”
- “The adult content is not over-the-top, and I thought it added to character development well (after all, it's a violent fantasy world, it wouldn't be normal for it to be prudish).”
- “The character designs (party members at least) are designed for fetishes.”
- “The adult content is not over-the-top, and I thought it added to character development well; after all, it's a violent fantasy world, it wouldn't be normal for it to be prudish.”
- “How does an RPG Maker ero-game hit so hard above its seeming weight-class to the point that I'd unconditionally recommend it to everyone who has a passing interest in Dragon Quest-inspired JRPGs and has, at minimum, a tolerance for horny character designs?”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game has been criticized for misleading advertising, as players expected an ero-game based on the publisher's promotion but instead found a traditional RPG with a focus on story and character development.
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is noted for its high replayability, with multiple users highly recommending it for repeated playthroughs.
- “High replayability and highly recommended.”
- “High replayability and highly recommended.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game suffers from numerous glitches that hinder gameplay, particularly affecting the ability to unlock achievements, which are essential for accessing certain endings. This instability significantly detracts from the overall experience.
- “Glitches galore, and I can't unlock many of the achievements even when following guides, which might be needed for some endings.”