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The Roottrees are Dead

A great detective game gets a lavish remake and an improved expansion in one essential package.
94%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
grinding, replayability
98% User Score Based on 3,330 reviews
Critic Score 87%Based on 4 reviews

Platforms

PCWindowsLinuxMac OS

About

The year is 1998. A private jet belonging to the Roottree Corporation has crashed. On it were the Roottree Sisters and their parents. Combined, they were worth over a billion dollars. Now, due to the eccentricities of their great-great-grandfather Elias, their money must be redistributed to the rest of the family. But who's actually a BLOOD RELATIVE? That's where you come in. Armed only with t…

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
The Roottrees are Dead screenshot
The Roottrees are Dead screenshot
The Roottrees are Dead screenshot
The Roottrees are Dead screenshot

98%
Audience ScoreBased on 3,330 reviews
story346 positive mentions
grinding38 negative mentions

  • Engaging and satisfying gameplay that combines genealogy research with mystery-solving.
  • Well-crafted hint system that provides gradual nudges without giving away answers outright.
  • Rich storytelling with intriguing characters and plot twists that keep players invested.
  • Some clues can feel obscure or require arbitrary leaps in logic, especially in the second part, Roottreemania.
  • The game can become tedious with excessive reading and information overload towards the end.
  • Occasional technical issues and UI quirks that may hinder the overall experience.
  • story
    854 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "The Roottrees Are Dead" is a complex and engaging narrative that intertwines family dynamics with detective work, drawing comparisons to games like "Return of the Obra Dinn" and "Her Story." Players appreciate the depth of the plot, which unfolds through a nostalgic late-90s web interface, allowing for immersive exploration and deduction. While some find the story less compelling than its inspirations, many enjoy the intricate puzzles and the satisfaction of piecing together the narrative, especially with the added content in the companion story "Rootreemania."

    • “The main game is excellent, a tight story with a bunch of interwoven details.”
    • “The roottrees are dead takes family research and turns it into a compelling detective story that kept me ensorcelled far longer than it had any right.”
    • “The story is great; there were a ton of moments where I'd connect two seemingly unrelated clues that uncover another plot point.”
    • “The entire crux of the game is built on something that makes no sense, and the story (as it is) requires a lot of leaps in logic for you to piece things together.”
    • “In fact, there is no story.”
    • “The characters are flat, most do nothing to progress the story, and all of them are cliche.”
  • gameplay
    324 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is characterized by a compelling and engaging deductive loop that combines elements from games like "Return of the Obra Dinn" and "Her Story," allowing players to search through a 90s-style internet for clues to piece together a family tree. While the mechanics are generally praised for their simplicity and effectiveness, some players noted minor quirks and a potentially tedious experience as the game progresses. Overall, the game offers a satisfying investigative experience with a nostalgic aesthetic, though some feel the price may not reflect the length of gameplay.

    • “The gameplay/deductive loop is incredibly fun and compelling, enough so that it doesn't really matter that the plot itself (for the main game, at least) is very simple.”
    • “The gameplay is incredibly engaging and perfectly satisfies the craving for a great detective experience.”
    • “The core gameplay loop is 'carefully examine a clue, usually in the form of 1-3 short paragraphs of well-written prose' -> 'deduce the right key word to use as your next search term and the right place to search for it' -> 'get rewarded with new clues' -> repeat.”
    • “After completing the base mystery, the roottrees are dead in about 5 hours. I thought this game was great, but potentially not worth the full $20 price tag for 5 hours of gameplay, despite being well written and extremely engaging.”
    • “The gameplay does get a bit tedious the further along you get. Also, the game is tedious with its mechanics, as you can only search up certain things on the computer, making it so you have to do gymnastics with keywords and names to get an answer you're looking for.”
    • “I tried to like it, but the game mechanics are basically googling and reading, and while the new evidence pieces at the beginning were interesting to read, it just turns into re-reading and putting relations together by exclusion.”
  • music
    208 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received widespread praise for its quality and variety, featuring a mix of original tracks and ambient jazz that enhances the overall experience. While some players noted that certain tracks can become repetitive, the nostalgic vibe and well-composed soundtrack contribute significantly to the game's atmosphere and immersion. Overall, the music is considered a standout element, with many players expressing a desire for the soundtrack to be available for listening outside of the game.

    • “The soundtrack is phenomenal--smooth tunes that play in the background while you sleuth your way to the solution.”
    • “The excellent jazz soundtrack only enhances the experience.”
    • “The music is fitting and you can get lost in the details.”
    • “The only complaint I might have is that there's one specific track in the music with a saxophone that can be a little more grating than soothing, but if that's all I can think of to gripe about, then you know it's a great game.”
    • “I wouldn't say it tops 'Obra Dinn' or 'Golden Idol' because of the stock music and the hidden object adventure game-style art.”
    • “My one gripe with the game is I find half the songs in this game's soundtrack to be annoying.”
  • graphics
    122 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the nostalgic late 90s aesthetic and clean visuals that enhance the storytelling experience. While some players find the art style charming and fitting for the game's theme, others criticize it as inconsistent or bland, noting that the visuals serve more as a functional backdrop rather than a standout feature. Overall, the graphics are described as sufficient for the gameplay, with some minor technical issues reported, but they effectively contribute to the immersive detective atmosphere.

    • “The graphics are phenomenal in my opinion.”
    • “You will be immediately immersed in the story and the setting, thanks to the impeccable artwork, story, and the in-game computer and searching system recreating a nostalgic early-00's internet.”
    • “The visuals and sound are great at capturing the feel of both the late 90s and of cozy sleuthing.”
    • “It doesn't work with my graphics card; almost the entire screen becomes glowing white, so I can't see anything :(”
    • “Certainly 'budget' in terms of visuals, but that's not really the selling point of a game like this.”
    • “The only criticism I have about the game is that the style feels very inconsistent, with the game starting with real-world footage, and the art style of the characters feels a bit off.”
  • humor
    72 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever writing, witty one-liners, and engaging easter eggs that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the balance between humor and serious storytelling, with many moments eliciting genuine laughter while maintaining a compelling narrative. The game's self-awareness and humorous references contribute to a delightful atmosphere, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking.

    • “Still, the story was in itself well-written and interesting with lots of humorous asides in the game media--truly delightful.”
    • “Filled with witty and funny easter eggs, an intriguing plot and very satisfying 'aha!' moments, the roottrees are dead is one of those games that not many people may know about, but more definitely should.”
    • “The writing remains funny without being too goofy, and always in service of the mystery.”
  • grinding
    40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding it tedious and exhausting as they sift through vast amounts of evidence and information. While some enjoy the challenge of detective work and the satisfaction of piecing together clues, others feel that the mechanics can become overly cumbersome, leading to frustration and reliance on hints. Overall, the experience can be enjoyable for those who appreciate deep research and problem-solving, but it risks becoming monotonous as the game progresses.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “However, it really feels like grindy detective work when you have hundreds of individual pieces of evidence and you forget where you got a detail from just to backtrack through your entire logical tree to get back to some article.”
    • “It felt unnecessarily difficult and tedious to track down information and make deductions.”
    • “Also the game is tedious with its mechanics, as you can only search up certain things on the computer, making it so you have to do gymnastics with keywords and names to get an answer you're looking for.”
  • emotional
    32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game evokes a strong emotional response, blending humor and heartbreak while immersing players in a heartwarming narrative about family and justice. Players feel a genuine connection to the characters and story, often experiencing moments of cleverness and satisfaction as they piece together intricate connections. The nostalgic use of late 90s internet tools enhances the emotional depth, making players feel like real detectives engaged in a meaningful investigation.

    • “There are moments that are funny and moments that are heartbreaking.”
    • “It's touching at parts, intriguing at others, and really makes you think about family, continuity, and the connectedness of family.”
    • “I also have to praise the way this game made me feel connected with the characters and story, even though most of them were mostly text on the screen.”
  • atmosphere
    28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its effective evocation of the late 90s, combining nostalgic aesthetics with engaging storytelling and sound design. Players appreciate the calming music and interactive elements that enhance the experience, although some note that the reliance on summary text may detract from immersion. Overall, the atmosphere successfully immerses players in a cozy, detective-themed environment that resonates with fans of genealogy and puzzle-solving.

    • “The atmosphere and mood in particular were effective in putting me in the zone.”
    • “Tons of great atmosphere as it captures not just the time period of the investigation, but also bits of each generation of the family tree!”
    • “A bit more variety or dynamic music could have elevated the atmosphere even further.”
    • “The late 90's aesthetic and atmosphere combined with a story that requires you to dig into the overwhelming collection of sources and pull out relevant pieces of evidence is extremely fun.”
    • “The old school flair of how you do the data research was fitting, a little (very little!) daunting at times, but it added to the atmosphere.”
  • replayability
    18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players find it enjoyable enough to replay, especially after forgetting key details, others note that it can be fully completed in a single playthrough. The presence of secrets and a well-crafted bonus experience adds some replay value, but many agree that the game lacks significant incentives for multiple playthroughs. Players suggest that while it may not have high replay value, the engaging story and quality improvements make it worth revisiting, particularly at a discounted price.

    • “It’s a rare treat to have such a substantial and well-crafted bonus experience, and it adds significant replayability to an already outstanding game.”
    • “I loved this game so much I immediately went and replayed it. Surprisingly very replayable, it felt much more authentic to a real-world investigation as I was generally familiar with the family but also had to remember how they were all connected.”
    • “I'm not sure yet of the replayability of it, but I do reckon that it would still be fun the second time around, especially if you give yourself time to forget some of the details of the case.”
    • “Interesting story, lots of secrets, but not much replayability.”
    • “Not great replay value, but I will definitely get their next game.”
    • “I played the web version before and at first it seems there's little to no replay value; the art has changed and there are some quality of life improvements, but the answers are the same.”
  • monetization
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game is positively viewed, with users appreciating the absence of intrusive ads and the nostalgic feel of a more straightforward internet experience. Players recommend investing in this game over others that rely heavily on advertising, highlighting its engaging tools and features without the distraction of commercial promotions.

    • “Buy this before you buy something with an advertising budget.”
    • “I'm always getting ads on my phone for those little emoji games with family trees where you have to follow logic puzzle clues to place everyone.”
    • “There were public ads talking about his 5 children before the 6th was born and then they went back to claiming it was 5 again.”
  • stability
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The base game is reported to function well without glitches, but the expansion "roottreemania" suffers from numerous stability issues, indicating a need for further testing and refinement.

    • “I encountered a lot of glitches when playing Roottreemania.”
    • “Roottreemania needs more testing.”
  • character development
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The reviews highlight that character development is enhanced by well-organized sections, appealing character designs, and a variety of presentation formats, contributing to an engaging storytelling experience.

    • “Aside from the story itself, I also really liked the way the different sections were organized, the chill background music, the character designs, and the way the information was presented in all the various formats.”
  • optimization
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is reported to be playable on the Steam Deck, although users note that the default controls are unoptimized and require some tweaking for a better experience.

    • “I played the main story on Steam Deck (slightly tweaking the default unoptimized controls) and it’s definitely playable.”

87%Critics’ scoreBased on 4 critic reviews

Buy The Roottrees are Dead

12h Median play time
10h Average play time
8-14h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 20 analyzed playthroughs

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