Rooten

About

Rooten is a single player open world simulation game with horror and drama themes. It was developed by Amortiz Games and was released on September 8, 2021. It received positive reviews from players.

There is only you and the Forest. In "Rooten" there are no compulsory tasks, time just goes by, and days pass by independently of you. You can explore the Forest, try to get out, or even do nothing at all. The forest has always been here, and always will be. You won't change it no matter what.

Skip User Reviews

87%

Audience ScoreBased on 38 reviews

atmosphere10 positive mentions

grinding2 negative mentions

The game features an exceptional and immersive atmosphere that is creepy, eerie, and reminiscent of classic horror stories and games like Darkwood.
Unique art style and sound design effectively build mood and tension with minimal jump scares, creating a slow burn horror experience.
Multiple endings and choices encourage replayability, appealing to players interested in story exploration and uncovering mysteries.

Gameplay pacing is extremely slow with tedious walking and a lack of a sprint or faster movement option, which frustrates many players.
Level design and navigation are often confusing due to unclear obstacles and invisible barriers, sometimes causing players to get stuck or lost.
English translation, controls (especially controller support), and camera mechanics have issues that reduce immersion and overall polish.

atmosphere
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
37%
The atmosphere is widely praised for being moody, creepy, and immersive, with a unique art style that enhances its dark and surreal tone. Many note it as the game's strongest point, especially appreciated by fans of slow-burn, exploration-focused horror. However, some find the pacing and gameplay detract from the overall experience despite the compelling atmosphere.
- “I didn't have very high expectations but the atmosphere is absolutely top-notch.”
- “Its strongest points are its setting and atmosphere, as well as the art style.”
- “I would definitely recommend Rooten to anyone who wants a nice slow burn horror game with unique art style, creepy atmosphere and simple gameplay!”
story
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
56%
19%
The story is intriguing and well-paced, with multiple endings that encourage replay, but its impact is often undermined by slow movement and pacing that can make progression feel tedious. While some find the narrative unsettling and atmospheric, others feel it lacks strength and can be confusing, detracting from overall engagement.
- “The story itself was intriguing and left me wanting to go through a second playthrough just to find out what happens if I make other choices in the story.”
- “I love how Rooten takes its time to build up the story.”
- “Just finished it and will play it again because I want to see other endings and story parts.”
- “It doesn't satisfy that you were in control and you did something for the story to progress.”
- “Unfortunately, the story wasn't strong enough to win out over the slow walking pace and the awkward movement.”
- “The story is nothing to write home about and I suggest not wasting your time playing this like I did.”
gameplay
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
40%
30%
The gameplay is simple and slow-paced, focusing mainly on exploration and atmosphere rather than intense or rewarding combat. While some find it tedious and occasionally frustrating, others appreciate the unique art style, eerie mood, and the freedom to make choices that encourage multiple playthroughs. Overall, it suits players who enjoy a slow burn horror experience with immersive world-building rather than fast-paced or complex mechanics.
- “I would definitely recommend Rooten to anyone who wants a nice slow burn horror game with unique art style, creepy atmosphere and simple gameplay!”
- “The ability to make your own choices and spend your days how you wish (or end the day immediately) really encourages multiple playthroughs, and I'm looking forward to playing again and seeing how different choices affect the gameplay.”
- “I'm a big fan of the in-game mechanic of time that goes by itself and brings feel of a daily routine that gets worse every day.”
- “I was confused a lot of the time, the gameplay was slow and tedious and it was hard to get into the story.”
- “With excruciating gameplay.”
- “The world building and writing was atmospheric and moody, but the gameplay and pacing got old really fast; or lack thereof, when you can't even end the day and go to the next one, when you need to.”
graphics
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The graphics are praised for their simple yet effective art style, which strongly enhances the game's eerie atmosphere and sense of dread. The minimalist design complements the setting perfectly, making the visual experience immersive and fitting for a slow-burn horror game.
- “For the first hour, I was totally hooked on the aesthetic alone.”
- “Its strongest points are its setting and atmosphere, as well as the art style.”
- “The art style really adds to the creepy atmosphere.”
music
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music and sound effects effectively enhance the game's atmosphere, with a chill soundtrack that complements both peaceful and eerie moods, perfectly matching the visual style and setting.
- “The visual style is absolutely gorgeous—all soft colors and quaint animation—and the soundtrack is chill and makes the world feel really peaceful or somewhat scary.”
- “Music and sound effects perfectly set the dreary mood of the game.”
- “Sound effects and music are decent.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Grinding in the game is slow, tedious, and frustrating, often feeling like an exercise in futility due to artificial barriers and sluggish pacing. This hampers engagement with the story despite the game's unsettling atmosphere and well-designed world.
- “It is nothing more than an exercise in futility with barriers keeping you from where you are trying to go while you move tediously slow.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game provides strong replayability for players interested in exploring different daily outcomes, though its deliberately slow pace may not suit everyone.
- “The game offers good replayability if you are curious to explore every possible outcome, and don't mind the slow pace (the game purposefully doesn't allow the player to run).”