Rusty Lake: Roots

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Rusty Lake: Roots is a single player casual puzzle game with horror, mystery and violence themes. It was developed by Rusty Lake and was released on October 20, 2016. It received very positive reviews from players.

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93%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,516 reviews

story171 positive mentions

stability9 negative mentions

Engaging and well-crafted storyline that ties together the Rusty Lake universe.
Challenging puzzles that require logical thinking, with a good balance of difficulty.
Beautiful artwork and atmospheric music that enhance the eerie experience.

Some puzzles can feel too easy or repetitive compared to previous games in the series.
Occasional glitches that can disrupt gameplay, particularly in specific levels.
The final puzzle may lack clarity, leading to frustration for some players.

story
327 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
47%
1%
The story of the game is widely praised for its dark, compelling narrative and intricate character development, often described as both eerie and engaging. Players appreciate the unique storytelling approach, which unfolds through puzzles and snapshots of time, creating a rich backstory that ties into the broader Rusty Lake universe. While some found the plot confusing or lacking in clarity at times, the overall consensus highlights the story's depth, creativity, and ability to captivate players throughout their experience.
- “The story, told in snapshots of time, developed strong characters and a narrative that I wanted to understand.”
- “The story is dark and original, the gameplay is challenging but not artificially difficult, and overall I was very happy with the purchase.”
- “I loved the overarching storyline; it really drew me in, so I didn't care if a few puzzles were on the easier side.”
- “The game itself has a bland story.”
- “Roots focuses on telling the background story for the Cube Escape series, but telling that story takes precedence over having a quality game.”
- “The story was even worse as even upon completion I'm still not sure what happened.”
graphics
92 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
33%
3%
The graphics in the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning artwork and unique style, often described as beautifully atmospheric and creatively engaging. Many players appreciate the dark and macabre aesthetic that complements the intriguing storylines, while some note that the graphics are simple yet effective. Overall, the visuals are considered a standout feature, enhancing the immersive experience of the gameplay.
- “I absolutely loved every bit of it, from amazing graphics and a very distinctive style, through interesting puzzles, all the way to the twisted story that leaves you wanting more.”
- “The graphics are beautiful and the puzzles are challenging but not impossible.”
- “Rusty Lake is wonderful, entertaining, the puzzles are challenging, the graphics are amazing, the story is creepy and multi-layered and enticing, the music adds to the mood and isn't distracting; I honestly don't have any criticism.”
- “Seeing what the graphics looked like kept me from trying them.”
- “I’ve seen better graphics, and harder puzzles.”
- “But apart from that, the game is cheap in graphics and mechanics.”
music
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
41%
7%
The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, enhancing the dark and compelling narrative. Many players appreciate the eerie and haunting soundtrack, which complements the artwork and overall mood, making it a standout feature of the experience. While some note that the music can be minimal or occasionally annoying, the majority find it integral to the game's charm and storytelling.
- “The artwork, the story, the atmospheric music, and the dark puzzles and logic problems are all first rate.”
- “A little creepy at times but very immersive and lovely musical soundtrack that really draws you into the story.”
- “Rusty Lake is wonderful, entertaining, the puzzles are challenging, the graphics are amazing, the story is creepy and multi-layered and enticing, the music adds to the mood and isn't distracting; I honestly don't have any criticism.”
- “Why does the music sound like a tame version of the room's music?”
- “There isn't a lot of music.”
- “I don't like how I have to silence the music and sound effects every time I start the game.”
gameplay
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
50%
8%
Gameplay reviews are mixed, with some players praising the engaging mechanics, unique puzzles, and intriguing storylines, while others criticize the lack of intuitive controls and logical puzzle design. Many appreciate the game's length and value, noting that it offers a satisfying experience despite some frustrating moments. Overall, the gameplay is described as a blend of enjoyable and challenging elements, with a distinctive style that may not appeal to everyone.
- “Roots is very engaging and quite different from its predecessors, but still has that quirky, somber, somewhat disturbing gameplay this series is famous for.”
- “Definitely worth the money, hours of gameplay with a mixture of puzzles with a cool story.”
- “The story, the gameplay, the graphics, the length... everything in this game is perfect.”
- “The game mechanics did get in the way a few times, not always being intuitive on how to use objects.”
- “Great little game, some puzzles were not logical and some mechanics not intuitive enough.”
- “You spend half the time figuring out the mechanics for most puzzles, even if it is apparently obvious what the solution is.”
atmosphere
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
30%
9%
The atmosphere in the game is consistently praised for its stunning artwork, haunting music, and compelling storytelling, creating a dark and immersive experience. While many reviews highlight the eerie and mysterious ambiance that defines the series, some note that recent installments may lack the same intensity or challenge as previous games. Overall, the atmosphere is described as captivating and integral to the game's appeal, with a blend of beauty and creepiness that enhances the gameplay.
- “Artwork is amazing, story is dark and compelling, music is wonderfully atmospheric.”
- “Incredibly sad and overwhelming atmosphere.”
- “Best of all, the whole event is cloaked in a sinister, almost morbid atmosphere that only adds to the tension and excitement.”
- “Found myself just going through the motions instead of the usual tense atmosphere.”
- “Because of the very short episodes, this one loses some atmosphere and the puzzles are often too easy to solve.”
- “The mystic atmosphere is gone, the quests are trivial, and why the hell am I killing children here?!”
stability
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
90%
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many users reporting frequent bugs and glitches that hinder gameplay, such as unresponsive controls and freezing issues. While some players noted minor glitches and overall enjoyment of the game, others expressed frustration over being unable to progress due to persistent technical problems.
- “I didn't find it very entertaining, but the graphics were really nice and there were no glitches.”
- “The game runs smoothly without any crashes, making for a stable experience.”
- “I appreciate how stable the gameplay is; I haven't encountered any bugs or performance issues.”
- “In some parts, it's quite buggy (needing to press a few times on items before actually engaging with them; in the chapter with the bee and the flowers, long press instead of one tap).”
- “So pee'd off, I purchased this game, got about halfway through, and it's glitched to the point I can't progress anywhere.”
- “I have enjoyed all previous Rusty Lake games and was gutted that it freezes at the intro screen.”
humor
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of dark, witty, and macabre elements that resonate well with players, often eliciting laughter amidst creepy scenarios. Many reviews highlight the cleverness and uniqueness of the humor, which serves as a counterpoint to the game's darker themes, making it both engaging and entertaining. Overall, the humor is described as poignant and addictive, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.
- “Roots is one of the more accessible and slickest of the RL games, without compromising on the series' dark humor.”
- “These games are creepy, the humor is witty, and the storyline progresses throughout all the games and really draws you in.”
- “I really love the storyline, the macabre sense of humor, and the dark minimalist aesthetic.”
emotional
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the game to be a deeply emotional experience, often eliciting strong feelings such as laughter and tears, particularly during poignant moments like childbirth and character arcs. The blend of challenging gameplay with heartfelt storytelling creates a compelling narrative that resonates with players, making it hard to put down. Overall, the game is described as unique and entertaining, with emotional highs that leave a lasting impact.
- “This game is something... it's wicked, challenging, interesting, heartbreaking at times, and it's really hard to put it down once you start.”
- “The childbirth part made me laugh (if only it were that easy!), I cried at one point (Emma!) & found it best not to play Albert's chapters at night...”
- “I cried a little because it was really pretty, not gonna lie.”
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
75%
The monetization model of the game is praised for its one-time purchase system, avoiding microtransactions and in-app purchases, which many players appreciate. However, there are concerns about excessive ads on external links related to the game. Overall, players value the lack of intrusive monetization tactics within the game itself.
- “I am so happy to be able to support this developer with a one-time purchase instead of microtransactions in-game.”
- “I wish this company made more games without in-app purchases and ads.”
- “The walkthrough link goes to a page with nothing but ads on it.”
- “Wish this company made more games without in-app purchases and ads.”
- “I would also like to add, to their credit, that they never ask for any permissions on your device and there are no in-app purchases.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
Character development in the game is notably unique and provocative, particularly highlighted by the unconventional scene involving Albert, where players must engage in explicit actions to progress the narrative. This bold approach to character interaction and design has garnered strong recommendations from users, emphasizing its distinctiveness within the gaming landscape.
- “The character design and the story are truly captivating; I seriously recommend it to anyone.”
- “The character development is incredibly deep and engaging, making each character feel unique and relatable.”
- “I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, with their backstories and motivations being revealed in a compelling way.”
- “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
- “I found the character arcs to be predictable and uninspired, leaving me disappointed by their growth.”
- “The lack of meaningful choices in character development made the experience feel linear and unengaging.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
100%
Players highlight that the game offers significant replayability due to its intricate puzzles and nuanced storytelling, with some suggesting that the addition of achievements could further enhance this aspect. Overall, the depth and complexity of the game encourage multiple playthroughs.
- “The longest and most in-depth game yet, 'Roots' has fantastic replay value not only for the puzzles, but also for each subtle nuance of plot and personal impact.”
- “Would love achievements via Google Play Games; it would really increase the replay value of the game.”
- “The lack of diverse endings makes it hard to justify multiple playthroughs.”
- “Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to return.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding in the game to be both tedious and unpleasant, leading to a frustrating experience that detracts from overall enjoyment.
- “It manages to be tedious and really frustrating simultaneously.”
- “Tedious”