Root

About

Root is a single player and multiplayer turn-based strategy game with fantasy and warfare themes. It was developed by Dire Wolf and was released on September 24, 2020. It received very positive reviews from players.

Root is a turn-based strategy game based on the popular tabletop board game, where 2-4 players engage in a war for woodland control as different factions with unique abilities. The Marquise de Cat, the Alliance, the Vagabonds, and the Eyrie all have their own goals and methods, making for a replayable and complex gaming experience. While the game boasts exceptional gameplay, a spectacular graphics, and an awesome soundtrack, it may have bugs that could affect the enjoyment of the game.

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92%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,114 reviews

gameplay106 positive mentions

stability57 negative mentions

Great adaptation of the board game with charming art and animations.
Excellent tutorials that help new players understand the mechanics of each faction.
Highly replayable due to the unique playstyles of each faction and the addition of challenges.

Frequent desync issues in online multiplayer, making it difficult to complete games.
AI can be inconsistent and make poor decisions, reducing the challenge in solo play.
Limited to 4 players, which restricts the experience compared to the physical version that supports more players.

gameplay
278 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
59%
3%
The gameplay of Root is characterized by its deep strategic elements and asymmetric mechanics, where each faction offers unique playstyles and objectives, enhancing replayability. While the digital adaptation effectively captures the essence of the board game with smooth mechanics and engaging tutorials, some players find the learning curve steep and the AI lacking in strategic execution. Overall, Root is praised for its charming visuals and dynamic gameplay, making it a recommended choice for strategy game enthusiasts, despite some technical issues and balancing concerns.
- “The unique factions reward you for mastering their mechanics, and it’s what keeps me coming back to this gem of a game.”
- “The gameplay is incredibly good, with a lot of replayability.”
- “Great gameplay from all factions, each of them feel unique and the game is just the right amount of complex for high-level plays without feeling like learning the game is impossible.”
- “The art is charming and the gameplay is solid once you get past the technical issues, but the glitches and repetitive scenes really hold it back.”
- “If it wasn't for the freezing, I'd be able to put up with the hard-to-understand mechanics until I learned them, but having to restart my game multiple times to fumble my way to understanding the game is literally telling me to uninstall it.”
- “Despite the factions having completely different mechanics and ways of playing, the game is well balanced.”
graphics
243 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
38%
1%
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their charming and faithful adaptation of Kyle Ferrin's original artwork, effectively translating the board game's aesthetic into a digital format. Players appreciate the vibrant visuals, smooth animations, and engaging interface, which enhance the overall gameplay experience. While some users noted minor issues with the UI and 3D models, the consensus is that the graphics contribute significantly to the game's appeal and enjoyment.
- “Gorgeous graphics and art style.”
- “The graphics and animations are fun, clean, and clear, adding to an already enjoyable game.”
- “The artwork is fantastic too.”
- “The graphics are not impressive, but the gameplay is excellent.”
- “While the 3D models look fine and have character, some of them look kind of meh and downright dopey. If the devs could have figured out a way to use Kyle Ferrin's original 2D artwork on the playing space and animate it in a way like, say, Darkest Dungeon, then it would have been absolutely perfect.”
- “The audio and BGM are enjoyable but repetitive, the visuals are cute but lengthy (there is no way to skip combat animations if your units/buildings are involved), and the interface lacks keybinds and other common settings.”
music
128 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
37%
2%
The music in the game has received widespread praise for its charm and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, with many players noting its catchy and thematic qualities. However, several reviews mention that the soundtrack can become repetitive over time, suggesting a desire for more variety. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature that complements the game's visuals and gameplay effectively.
- “The animations are fluid, and the music adds a lighthearted, woodsy ambiance that complements the gameplay without distracting from it.”
- “The art style translates well and the music is a perfect fit.”
- “The charming visuals and delightful soundtrack help ease you into the otherwise cutthroat gameplay that is Root.”
- “The music is the only downside of this game.”
- “The music gets a bit repetitive after a while, but that's the case with almost every game for me.”
- “Could really benefit from more music variety.”
stability
59 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
97%
The game's stability is a significant concern, with numerous users reporting frequent glitches, freezes, and bugs that can disrupt gameplay, particularly in multiplayer modes. While some players find the game enjoyable despite these issues, many express frustration over the technical problems, which can make the experience unplayable at times. Overall, the game is described as "buggy" and in need of further patches to improve its stability.
- “The game runs great and plays amazingly.”
- “The game runs great.”
- “However, I ran into frequent glitches where the game would freeze, forcing me to restart.”
- “Riddled with game-breaking glitches and bugs, some of the faction UI are garbage (Lord of Hundreds) or vague (Riverfolk Company). The friends list is useless, you are unable to talk with friends, the music is repetitive and unable to be changed, the AI is bad, and sometimes the achievements don't transfer over from mobile to PC or vice versa.”
- “Glitches and freezes often enough that you can't finish a game.”
replayability
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
29%
7%
The game boasts exceptional replayability, primarily due to its asymmetric factions, each offering unique gameplay mechanics that keep matches fresh and engaging. Players appreciate the depth and strategic variety, which not only enhances the experience but also encourages repeated play, whether solo or with friends. Additionally, ongoing expansions promise to further enrich the game's replay value, making it a standout choice for fans of strategic board games.
- “Each faction plays completely differently, which gives the game incredible replayability.”
- “That said, this depth is also what gives Root such incredible replay value—every match teaches something new.”
- “The different mechanics of each faction make it very replayable.”
- “Most physically-released expansion features (including four factions, two boards with new rules, vagabond variants, and support for 5-6 players) are still absent from the game six months after release, so players who have played with expansions before might find this version lacking in depth and replayability.”
- “I have yet to purchase any of the DLC or try any other than the original factions, but the base game has massive replay value by itself!”
- “The real-life board game offers more playable races and different options for the board setup.”
story
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
76%
12%
The game's story aspect is largely minimal, with players noting a lack of lore and narrative depth, despite the engaging mechanics and tutorial missions that help players understand the gameplay. While the interactions between factions and quests can lead to memorable moments and discussions, many players express a desire for more backstory and character development to enhance the overall experience. Overall, the game serves as a platform for emergent storytelling rather than a structured narrative.
- “Like all of Cole Wehrle's games, it's both evocative of real-world ideas and an absolute storytelling machine that will get you and your friends to talk about 'what went wrong' and 'that one part when...'”
- “The vagabond is a solo adventurer, collecting items, doing quests, and aiding or attacking the various factions.”
- “Here's just one story: playing as the Tinkerer, I managed to get a third hammer (the tool a vagabond player uses to craft items and special effects using their cards), and just as the warring factions seeking to rule the woods all began to make their final moves towards victory, I crafted 'Favor of the Foxes' and 'Favor of the Mice', two cards that wipe every single opposing piece from the matching clearings, on my final two turns, massively setting back everyone else and netting me over 10 points from all of the buildings and tokens that were burnt for the win.”
- “I wish the quests had more backstory instead of just an extra gaming challenge.”
- “There is no story or campaign, and while the devs have done a very good job porting the game mechanics, the motivation to do the constructed challenges stays limited.”
- “Although there is almost no lore or story to it, trying to conquer the woodlands against 3 other different factions surely makes you sweat quite a lot.”
humor
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
94%
18%
The humor in the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating the cute animations, funny sound effects, and hilarious tutorial dialogues. While some feel that the game mechanics could be funnier, many highlight the amusing interactions between characters and the entertaining nature of the gameplay, particularly in the context of forest creatures and their antics. Overall, the game successfully incorporates humor through its visuals and character dynamics, making it enjoyable for players seeking a lighthearted experience.
- “The animations are so cute and funny, the sound effects amazing and the tutorials very clear.”
- “There is no penalty for leaving the game early and the bot that replaces players who leave is hilariously bad.”
- “I admire the unique and interesting mechanics of different factions, the soundtrack, the art style, and the attention to detail, such as the hilarious tutorial dialogues.”
- “The graphics are very nice and attractive, but the mechanics are not funny.”
- “I expected a lot more humor, but the jokes fell flat and felt forced.”
- “The attempts at humor were cringeworthy and didn't land at all.”
optimization
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
71%
8%
21%
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while many players report smooth performance and easy online multiplayer, some experience stability issues and performance problems on lower-end hardware. The game is still in early access, and there are indications that further improvements are expected in future updates. Players are advised to adjust graphics settings if they encounter performance issues.
- “The game runs smoothly, it has really easy matching mechanics, the distinctive Kyle art, and tutorials for all factions.”
- “While still in early access, the basic game is fully implemented and runs smoothly.”
- “The spirit is strong here, the art design is lovely and the optimization has been significantly improved.”
- “I also find that the game code is not as stable or optimized as some other games.”
- “Overall game performance is bad; this is a digital board game, and I think it is not too much to ask for better optimization. It does not run well on an Intel Haswell integrated GPU on a laptop.”
- “If you're having performance issues, set your graphics to low.”
atmosphere
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
38%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with many users noting that the in-person experience significantly enhances its charm and immersion compared to digital alternatives. The unique art style, engaging music, and thoughtful character animations contribute to a captivating environment that enriches gameplay. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered a standout feature, making it an enjoyable and memorable experience.
- “The game itself stands out for its atmosphere and style, the uniqueness of each faction, and the fact that every decision matters - there is always more you want to get done in a turn, but you have to choose wisely.”
- “Probably the best digital port of a board game I've ever played and every addition like the music, sound, and atmosphere really help to make this an easy to learn and addictively fun game.”
- “Lots of charm and enough atmosphere to make it worth springing for this version instead of a tabletop simulator workshop mod.”
- “Probably the best digital port of a board game I've ever played, and every addition like the music, sound, and atmosphere really help to make this an easy-to-learn and addictively fun game.”
- “Everything from the 'meeples' to the music just oozes atmosphere and captures the feel of the game.”
monetization
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
80%
Players express frustration with the monetization model, highlighting intrusive advertisements even after purchasing the game, which detracts from the overall experience. While the game offers challenges and in-app purchases like clockwork bots, many feel that the focus on DLC and cash grabs overshadows necessary improvements and bug fixes.
- “The in-app purchases offer a good balance, providing options for players who want to enhance their experience without feeling pressured to spend.”
- “I appreciate that the monetization system allows for both free and paid players to enjoy the game equally.”
- “The game offers a variety of cosmetic items for purchase, which lets players customize their experience without impacting gameplay.”
- “Although the game is well-functioning, I am completely annoyed by the fact that there are continual advertisement pop-ups in the menu.”
- “I paid for the game, so why can't I get an advertisement-free experience?”
- “They are making no improvements to the online experience or fixing crucial bugs and just keep pumping out DLC for quick cash grabs.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly in offline modes and when pursuing achievements, which require significant effort. However, the hot-seat multiplayer experience with friends is appreciated, though lengthy animations can detract from the overall enjoyment, especially in faster-paced games.
- “Achievements are very grindy.”
- “I think it's tedious to play an offline version, but hot-seat with friends is nice.”
- “Wish there was a way (or if there is, a more obvious one) to skip some of the fairly lengthy animations; they can get a bit tedious if you're playing against bots and the game moves quickly.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players describe the game as an emotional rollercoaster, highlighting its ability to evoke strong feelings and moral dilemmas that can lead to intense discussions. Many express a desire to invest significant time into the game, indicating its depth and emotional engagement, especially in group settings.
- “10/10, would go on this emotional rollercoaster again.”
- “Even though I'm hardly touching the surface with only 8-9 hours in, I can see myself putting 100+ hours into the game.”
- “If you have a home group not prepared for the emotional ride that this game can create, this is the perfect place to play it, with strangers (or the seemingly well-tuned AI).”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development in the game is marked by whimsical designs and animations of the animal characters, which create a cozy atmosphere that contrasts sharply with the underlying themes of political and military conflict. This juxtaposition enhances the overall narrative, making the characters both engaging and memorable.
- “The whimsical character designs and vibrant woodland setting contrast cleverly with the brutal political and military struggles at the game’s core.”
- “I really like the animations and character designs of the little animals; the game is fun and very cozy.”