Skip to main content

Root Letter

Root Letter is a great visual novel with superb production values that’s only held back by some localisation issues but excels in atmosphere and one that will remain with you for a long time.
Root Letter Game Cover
73%Game Brain Score
story, music
gameplay, atmosphere
74% User Score Based on 160 reviews
Critic Score 73%Based on 6 reviews

Platforms

PCPlaystation 4WindowsPlayStationPlaystation Vita
Buy Nowfrom $19.99
Buy NowGet on Steam $19.99
Root Letter Game Cover

About

Root Letter is a single player role playing game with a mystery theme. It was developed by DRAGAMI GAMES, LTD. and was released on July 7, 2017. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

"Root Letter" is a visual novel game set in a beautiful rural Japanese town, where you investigate a murder based on letters from a pen-friend who disappeared 15 years ago. The game features increased gameplay elements, such as evidence searching and interrogation mode, and stunning artwork from the renowned artist Minoboshi Taro. Your choices will affect the outcome of the investigation, and you will uncover the truth about your pen-friend's past.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Root Letter screenshot
Root Letter screenshot
Root Letter screenshot
Root Letter screenshot
Root Letter screenshot
Root Letter screenshot
Root Letter screenshot
Root Letter screenshot
Root Letter screenshot
Root Letter screenshot
Root Letter screenshot
+7
Skip User Reviews

74%
Audience ScoreBased on 160 reviews
story50 positive mentions
gameplay7 negative mentions
  • The game features beautiful visuals and a captivating atmosphere that immerses players in the setting of Matsue, Japan.
  • The story offers multiple endings, each with unique twists, providing a sense of intrigue and encouraging replayability.
  • The voice acting and soundtrack enhance the overall experience, adding depth to the characters and their emotions.
  • The protagonist is often portrayed as unlikable and abrasive, which can detract from the player's enjoyment of the story.
  • The investigation mechanics can feel tedious and repetitive, with some players finding the gameplay elements frustrating.
  • The narrative payoff in the endings is often seen as lacking, with some players feeling that the conclusions do not satisfactorily resolve the buildup of the story.
  • story
    191 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding it engaging and intriguing, particularly in its exploration of personal relationships and mysteries, while others criticize its formulaic structure and lack of meaningful choices. Many reviews highlight the beautiful visuals and music, but note that the narrative can feel repetitive and at times lacks depth, with some endings feeling rushed or unsatisfying. Overall, while the game offers a unique premise and moments of interest, it struggles with pacing and character development, leading to a polarized reception among players.

    • “The story is fun, and while some elements were pretty predictable, I was still interested since the writing is overall entertaining and I was eager to find out the whole truth.”
    • “Root Letter is a story that’ll keep you hooked till the end.”
    • “The story starts off with a mystery that is engaging, and for a while, I was very interested in knowing what's going on.”
    • “As much as I don't want to write a negative review for any of the games I play, there is just something about the story of this game that doesn't really make much sense.”
    • “The plot advances in the most frustratingly formulaic way possible.”
    • “The story and characters get really lame and boring halfway and near the end.”
  • gameplay
    48 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of Root Letter is primarily a visual novel with light detective mechanics, but it suffers from repetitive structures, lackluster character development, and uninspired investigative elements that fail to engage players. While it attempts to incorporate interactive gameplay and decision-making, many find it formulaic and frustrating, with mechanics that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the gameplay is seen as mediocre, lacking the depth and originality found in similar titles like Ace Attorney.

    • “It's a mystery visual novel combined with some point-and-click/investigation gameplay.”
    • “The story itself is interesting, and there are additional actions to gameplay; it's not just a read-through, which I thought was fun too.”
    • “The concept and mechanics of the game are quite interesting, although they are executed poorly.”
    • “However, the narrative payoff is sorely lacking, evidenced by weak character development, underwhelming, lackluster, and outlandish endings, weak emotional payoff, and poor gameplay mechanics.”
    • “Investigation-related mechanics are hollow imitations of Ace Attorney, lacking clever logic and originality.”
    • “The gameplay reminded me of Ace Attorney mechanics, the story is not great but totally okay, it suffers from replay value (you'll need to play it 4 times to get all endings) and that's the unnecessary part, especially when only 2 of those endings even matter to understand the story.”
  • music
    42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is widely praised for its quality and ability to enhance the atmosphere, with many reviewers noting its haunting and nostalgic qualities that complement the beautifully drawn visuals. While some find the soundtrack to be somewhat repetitive and lacking in variety, it is generally described as soothing and immersive, contributing positively to the overall experience. Despite mixed opinions on the story, the soundtrack remains a standout feature, often described as compelling and engaging.

    • “Root Letter is a reasonably compelling and engaging visual novel that delivers a visually striking and atmospheric experience with beautifully drawn backgrounds, expressive character art, and a hauntingly memorable soundtrack that captures the melancholy of rural Japan.”
    • “The music is so amazing; the soothing way it is integrated into the gameplay really makes it feel alive.”
    • “The soundtrack is pleasant and supports the atmosphere of the individual scenes without being 'too much', and the story is captivating and thrilling.”
    • “Bland writing and soundtrack, awful main character.”
    • “A very simple soundtrack, not a lot of variety, but it gets the job done, and to many it is probably very nice to listen to.”
    • “Music is decent but forgettable.”
  • graphics
    20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning anime-style character sprites and beautiful artwork, which effectively complement the visual novel's aesthetic and overall vibe. While some reviewers noted that the visuals are the standout feature amidst other flaws, the art style is consistently described as mature, pleasing, and engaging, contributing significantly to the game's appeal. However, a few comments mention that the soundtrack may become repetitive, slightly detracting from the overall experience.

    • “This version only has anime-style character sprites, which gives the game a clean, idealized visual novel aesthetic.”
    • “The art style is definitely good looking and fits perfectly with the vibe that the game is trying to portray.”
    • “Nice artwork as well - both the environments and character design are easy on the eyes and not overdone.”
    • “Despite all aspects of this game being pretty flawed (aside from the visuals), you'll notice I referenced other VNs throughout.”
    • “Visuals are okay, nothing to write home about, but they are good and work well with the spirit of this VN.”
    • “I have always wanted to play this game ever since it was up for pre-order due to the art style and the premise, but when the game was actually released, the reviews were very lukewarm so I waited for it to go on sale.”
  • humor
    13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's humor is a mixed bag, featuring a blend of funny moments and clever writing that elicits genuine laughter, particularly through character interactions and unexpected twists. However, some aspects, like over-the-top dialogue editing and stereotypical side characters, detract from the overall comedic experience, leading to moments that feel more baffling than amusing. While the balance of humor and tension is appreciated, the execution varies, with some players finding it hit-or-miss.

    • “Luckily (and hilariously) you never lose tries by answering a max mode incorrectly and some of the responses are hilarious.”
    • “I really enjoyed the game and the balance of humor and tension.”
    • “Laughing out loud once in a while made the jerk protagonist and the totally different ending routes fun.”
  • atmosphere
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere in "Root Letter" is characterized by its serene and immersive depiction of rural Japan, enhanced by beautifully drawn backgrounds and a haunting soundtrack that evokes a sense of melancholy. While the game successfully creates a calming vibe, some players feel that this tranquility undermines the suspenseful elements, leading to a disjointed experience when juxtaposed with more chaotic gameplay moments. Overall, the game's atmospheric qualities are praised, though some aspects may detract from the intended emotional impact.

    • “Root Letter is a reasonably compelling and engaging visual novel that delivers a visually striking and atmospheric experience with beautifully drawn backgrounds, expressive character art, and a hauntingly memorable soundtrack that captures the melancholy of rural Japan.”
    • “The atmosphere feels very calm and serene despite the subject matter.”
    • “The soundtrack is pleasant and supports the atmosphere of the individual scenes without being 'too much,' and the story is captivating and thrilling.”
    • “My only complaint is that the constantly relaxing atmosphere feels a bit too peaceful for the genre. Even many of the parts that were supposed to be suspenseful or creepy didn't really manage to feel intense. I guess the game just purposely keeps its calm vibe at all times, which is also kind of nice.”
    • “You will be locked into the bad endings during your first playthrough, which are cheap and typical horror routes that ruin the normalized atmosphere of the common route.”
    • “It's such a shame that a disproportionate amount of work has been put into rendering the atmosphere of Shimane and having a system that naturally aids in allowing players to freely explore the place, while the game literally offers nothing that utilizes them.”
  • emotional
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is mixed; while some endings evoke strong feelings, particularly the "bond of marriage" ending, others lack depth and emotional payoff due to weak character development and inconsistent tone. The use of 2D art enhances emotional scenes, but issues like subpar voice acting and translation can detract from the experience. Overall, the game offers heartwarming moments that resonate with themes of friendship and love, though it may not impress seasoned visual novel players.

    • “Overall, this heartwarming game will make you reminisce about friendship, love, and dreams that you experienced in the past.”
    • “Quite a touching novel.”
    • “Other endings do not come near the emotions 'the bond of marriage' ending made me feel.”
  • character development
    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is generally viewed as weak, with many reviewers noting a lack of emotional payoff and insufficient challenges for the protagonist that hinder growth. While the character designs are praised for their aesthetic appeal and believability, the overall narrative fails to deliver a satisfying or engaging character arc. Despite these shortcomings, some players appreciate the intriguing elements of the mystery genre intertwined with the character interactions.

    • “Nice artwork as well - both the environments and character design are easy on the eyes and not overdone.”
    • “To end this on a positive note, one thing I did like in this game was the art and character design.”
    • “I love the mature character design; despite all the girls being pretty, they're still very believable in terms of appearance.”
    • “However, the narrative payoff is sorely lacking, evidenced by weak character development, underwhelming, lackluster, and outlandish endings, weak emotional payoff, and poor gameplay mechanics.”
    • “I cannot tell if it's intentional because the protagonist is never challenged over this (at least, not in any major ways that result in character development).”
    • “The character development feels stagnant, leaving the players wanting more depth and growth from the characters throughout the game.”
  • monetization
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game is criticized for feeling like a thinly veiled advertisement for tourism, with many players noting that the various locations seem primarily designed to promote travel rather than enhance gameplay. While the story is appreciated, it often feels overshadowed by an overwhelming presence of promotional content, likening the experience to reading a magazine filled with ads.

    • “I don't see any functions of having so many various places if not for visual tourism advertising and/or increasing the game's value.”
    • “At times, it feels like an advertisement made by the Matsue tourism board.”
    • “Instead, I felt like I was getting spammed with food and travel advertisements through a thinly veiled excuse of a good story.”
  • replayability
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game has limited replayability, as players must complete it multiple times to unlock all endings, with only a couple being significant to the overall story. While there are several endings and bonus achievements, the core gameplay does not change, making repeated playthroughs feel unnecessary.

    • “Replayability value: there are several endings you can get from this game, along with bonus achievements as a side quest.”
    • “The gameplay reminded me of Ace Attorney mechanics; while the story is not great, it offers replay value as you'll need to play it multiple times to experience all the endings.”
    • “Replayability value: there are several endings you can get from this game, along with bonus achievements as side quests.”
    • “The game lacks significant replayability; once you've seen the endings, there's little incentive to play again.”
    • “While there are multiple endings, the overall experience feels repetitive, diminishing the replay value.”
  • grinding
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviews indicate that while some players found the achievement farming in "Root Letter" enjoyable, the overall grinding experience is marred by repetitive and tedious gameplay, leading to a lack of engagement and interest over time.

    • “Root Letter has a really cool premise and generally interesting mystery, but it's so bogged down by repeated examples of tedious game design that I absolutely would not recommend it.”
    • “The story and the activities were way too monotone and tedious.”
    • “I found it simply too tedious to hold my attention longer than a couple of hours.”
Skip Critic Reviews

73%Critics’ scoreBased on 6 critic reviews
Skip Game Offers

Buy Root Letter

6h Median play time
6h Average play time
5-6h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs
Skip Videos

Videos

Skip Games Like Root Letter

Games Like Root Letter

Root Letter Last Answer Image
79%66reviews

Root Letter Last Answer

2019Action Adventure
Nintendo SwitchPCPlaystation 4+3
Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc Image
90%16.7kreviews

Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

2016Action Adventure
Nintendo SwitchAndroidXbox+14
Sherlock Holmes The Devil's Daughter Image
71%5.2kreviews

Sherlock Holmes The Devil's Daughter

2016Open World Action Adventure
Nintendo SwitchXbox Series X|SPC+6
Twin Mirror Image
67%666reviews

Twin Mirror

2021Action Adventure
Xbox Series X|SPCEpic Games+6
AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES Image
85%3.7kreviews

AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES

2021Action Adventure
Nintendo SwitchPCXbox Game Pass+8
More games like Root Letter
Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Root Letter is a role playing game with mystery theme.

Root Letter is available on PC, PlayStation 4, Windows, PlayStation and others.

On average players spend around 6 hours playing Root Letter.

Root Letter was released on July 7, 2017.

Root Letter was developed by DRAGAMI GAMES, LTD..

Root Letter has received mostly positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its gameplay.

Root Letter is a single player game.

Similar games include Root Letter Last Answer, Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc, Sherlock Holmes The Devil's Daughter, Twin Mirror, AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES and others.