The Roottrees are Dead

About

The Roottrees are Dead is a single player action game. It was developed by Evil Trout Inc. and was released on January 15, 2025. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

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

Adventure

Play Modes

Single-Player

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97%

Audience ScoreBased on 4,311 reviews

story422 positive mentions

grinding73 negative mentions

Engaging and satisfying gameplay that rewards players for deduction and logical reasoning.
Unique premise of using a 90s internet simulation to piece together a family tree, creating a nostalgic experience.
Well-implemented hint system that provides guidance without giving away answers outright.

The story and final reveal can feel predictable and lack emotional depth.
Some clues are overly obscure, leading to frustration when trying to progress.
The second part, Roottreemania, is significantly more difficult and can feel tedious compared to the main game.

story
1,083 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
59%
2%
The story of "The Roottrees Are Dead" is a captivating blend of family drama and mystery, drawing players into a complex narrative filled with twists and turns as they piece together the lives of a dysfunctional candy dynasty. While some players found the overarching plot to be somewhat basic or predictable, many praised the engaging storytelling and the satisfaction of uncovering hidden connections through a unique gameplay mechanic that combines internet sleuthing with genealogical research. The additional content in "Roottreemania" further expands the narrative, offering a more challenging experience that continues to intrigue players.
- “With regards to the story, it is absolutely full of twists, turns, and scandals, with many memorable characters bringing drama and in-fighting to the fate of the candy company, even from beyond the grave.”
- “The story is captivating and filling in the gaps that aren't visible on the corkboard really helps you to paint a picture and solve the puzzle.”
- “The story is engaging from the very start - beautifully written, with a hook that draws you in and makes you want to play more within the first 15 minutes of loading up the game.”
- “The story is very basic.”
- “However, the story that you get at the end is just way too basic for what was being set up in the game.”
- “The plot feels contrived to tell the story it wants to tell and I don't get a sense that characters portrayed the way they are would make the decisions they did, but rather made the decisions the author needed them to.”
gameplay
495 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
63%
3%
The gameplay of "The Roottrees Are Dead" is characterized by a unique blend of deduction and research mechanics, heavily inspired by titles like "Return of the Obra Dinn" and "Her Story." Players engage in a satisfying loop of searching for clues through a simulated 90s internet interface, taking notes, and piecing together a complex family tree, which many find both immersive and rewarding. While some critiques mention repetitive elements and a lack of depth in certain areas, the overall experience is praised for its engaging narrative and innovative mechanics that encourage critical thinking and exploration.
- “I love the mechanic of only verifying after several facts have been discovered - it makes it more resistant to brute-force attempts, forcing one to actually reason things out or turn to hints.”
- “The gameplay loop is so engaging and fun; it feels so deeply satisfying when you're able to piece things together.”
- “The mechanics are fun and there's plenty of mystery, scandal, and gameplay time.”
- “I didn't really like the core gameplay and the game doesn't really evolve from what they teach you in the first 10 minutes.”
- “The game has very little action, as the gameplay is pretty much just googling stuff over and over and a ton of reading!”
- “The gameplay is incredibly simple and the entire thing goes on in a room in-game, but damn if this isn't some of the most interesting gameplay I've experienced in a really long time.”
music
295 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
54%
4%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its calming, jazzy atmosphere that enhances the detective experience. While some tracks are original and well-crafted, a significant portion consists of royalty-free music, leading to feelings of repetitiveness over extended play sessions. Overall, the soundtrack effectively complements the game's nostalgic vibe, though some players wished for more variety and distinct themes throughout the gameplay.
- “The soundtrack is great, and this made for a very cathartic, cozy and satisfying experience.”
- “The music is a collection of detective-y jazz and funk that sets the tone effectively, along with a couple of story-relevant original songs that are equal parts funny and catchy.”
- “The music is perfect.”
- “While I totally get using CC assets for an indie game, I don't personally think the music entirely suited the game.”
- “The music can get irritating at times, though.”
- “Since the whole game does not have any sound (except for a few interactions and song evidences) and it lasts several hours, the few songs of the soundtrack become annoying and boring pretty fast.”
graphics
142 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
60%
4%
The graphics of the game are a blend of charming 90s aesthetics and simple visuals, which some players find nostalgic and fitting for the theme, while others criticize them as basic or lacking polish. The transition from AI-generated art to hand-drawn character portraits has been positively received, enhancing the game's identity despite some graphical inconsistencies. Overall, while the visuals may not be groundbreaking, they effectively support the engaging narrative and gameplay experience.
- “The visuals are amazing, from the retro look and feel of web pages to the artwork for each individual roottree, and so many laugh-out-loud moments from going down rabbit holes and being called out for it!”
- “The retro tech aesthetic is convincing without feeling gimmicky, grounding players in a time before instant answers, when research meant patience and sharp reasoning.”
- “The stunning visuals, realistic writing for the game, and fun puzzles along the way make this game such a unique classic.”
- “The downside of the game is that the graphics and UX/UI are horrible, and you really have to look past them to enjoy the investigation.”
- “The graphics are basic and the 'cutscenes' are budget, but the developers are working on this.”
- “The graphics are nothing to write home about, but they have a distinct feel, which counts.”
humor
77 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever writing, engaging characters, and numerous witty easter eggs that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the balance of dry, self-aware humor and genuine hilarity, often eliciting laughter through unexpected moments and clever references. While some found the humor to be hit-or-miss, the majority agree that it adds a delightful layer to the gameplay, making the investigative process both entertaining and memorable.
- “There's a healthy dose of humor that will have you spider-searching and chuckling for hours.”
- “The writing is snappy and genuinely hilarious at times; the presentation feels self-aware and comes with plenty of tongue-in-cheek self-deprecation.”
- “I absolutely adored this game, being an internet sleuth and gathering information, and the funny little tidbits you get while searching for clues make it all the more enjoyable.”
grinding
74 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
99%
The aspect of "grinding" in the game has received mixed feedback, with many players finding certain elements tedious, particularly in the later stages and the DLC "roottreemania." While some appreciate the depth and complexity of the investigative process, others feel that the extensive searching and backtracking can become monotonous and frustrating, often relying on hints to progress. Overall, the experience can be enjoyable for those who appreciate detailed detective work, but it risks becoming grindy and less engaging as the game progresses.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “This is extremely tedious because it's just you changing a dropdown 6 times and maybe you'll find nothing anyway.”
- “The last 50% is mostly tedious and especially the last 15% I just wanted it to end.”
- “Worst part about it is that you now don't use logic that much but rather meticulously-to-tediously grind through a lot of data.”
emotional
56 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
2%
The emotional aspect of the game elicits a mixed response from players, with some experiencing profound moments that resonate deeply, while others find the emotional impact lacking or predictable. Many players appreciate the feeling of cleverness and engagement in piecing together clues, likening their experience to that of a detective, but some criticize the flatness of characters and the overall emotional depth. Overall, while the game offers moments of emotional connection and nostalgia, it may not deliver a consistently compelling narrative for all players.
- “Oh, and the ending touched me so much that I cried.”
- “The roottrees are dead is a hauntingly beautiful experience that masterfully blends atmospheric storytelling, environmental exploration, and emotional depth into a game that lingers in your mind long after the credits roll.”
- “It's touching at parts, intriguing at others, and really makes you think about family, continuity, and the connectedness of family.”
- “It's very well done for what it is - but at the end of the day, it's an incredibly boring story of a family where you make the most mundane connections piece by piece.”
atmosphere
43 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
35%
7%
The atmosphere of "The Roottrees Are Dead" is widely praised for its meticulous attention to detail, evoking a nostalgic late 1990s vibe that enhances the game's detective experience. Players appreciate the hauntingly beautiful storytelling, immersive sound design, and the cozy, retro computing aesthetic that draws them into the narrative. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as a perfect blend of engaging puzzles, emotional depth, and a captivating setting that lingers long after gameplay.
- “The roottrees are dead is a haunting and thoughtfully crafted experience that draws you in with its unsettling atmosphere and intriguing narrative.”
- “The atmosphere: retro computing, dial-up modem nostalgia, 1998 setting, interactive detective work.”
- “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 atmosphere, the writing, and the way every puzzle organically clicks into place all elevate it beyond a simple logic game.”
- “Where this game excels is obviously atmosphere - everything from the browser to the pinboard to the clickety clack of the keyboard is extremely cozy and fun.”
- “A bit more variety or dynamic music could have elevated the atmosphere even further.”
replayability
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
56%
20%
Overall, the game's replayability is generally considered low, as many players feel that once the mystery is solved, there is little incentive to replay it. Some users noted that while the experience is engaging and rewarding, the storyline remains the same on subsequent playthroughs, limiting replay value. However, a few players mentioned that taking a break before replaying could enhance the experience, especially for those interested in achievement hunting or revisiting the game's detailed elements.
- “Overall, this is a short, brilliant experience (I spent 20 hours) that's incredibly replayable if you want to beat it without hints.”
- “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, 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).”
- “There's not really any replay value with this game either, except to grab some of the hidden achievements.”
- “I can already tell that replayability for this will be quite low, as the mystery will be the same the second time through, but that doesn't matter if the game is engaging and fun as it is.”
- “Not at all replayable, but well worth it.”
optimization
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
22%
22%
Overall, the game is highly praised for its optimization, with users reporting smooth performance and no significant issues. While navigation tools enhance the experience, some players noted that external information searches could be clearer. The game is also playable on the Steam Deck with minor control adjustments.
- “This game has a great storyline and built-in tools that allow navigation through the game to run smoothly.”
- “The game is well optimized.”
- “Everything is laid out so well, and it all runs smoothly.”
- “Searching for info on the web isn't optimized nor clear.”
- “I played the main story on Steam Deck (slightly tweaking the default unoptimized controls); it’s definitely playable.”
monetization
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game is criticized for its reliance on traditional advertising strategies, likening it to media that claims to be modernized while still following familiar patterns. Players express a desire for a more authentic experience, free from intrusive ads, and suggest that the game offers substantial value compared to other heavily marketed titles. Overall, the monetization approach seems to detract from the immersive experience players seek.
- “Buy this before you buy something with an advertising budget.”
- “There's so much to do: examine vintage photos and advertisements, listen to music and analyze lyrics, scour through library archives and questionable websites to find that one nugget of truth for your aha!”
- “Also click on everything and save everything, any remotely noticeable because at times the game's logic is really weird with key names not being searchable but obscure private email addresses are or an advertising campaign can be searched for but not the name of the person the article is about.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, the base game is praised for its stability, with users reporting minimal bugs or glitches. However, the expansion "roottreemania" has been criticized for experiencing numerous glitches, indicating a need for further testing.
- “I encountered a lot of glitches when playing RootTreeMania.”
- “RootTreeMania needs more testing.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers appreciate the character development for its engaging presentation and well-organized storytelling, complemented by appealing character designs and a relaxing soundtrack.
- “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.”

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The Roottrees are Dead
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12h Median play time

14h Average play time

9-15h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 24 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

The Roottrees are Dead is a action game.

The Roottrees are Dead is available on PC, Mac OS, Windows and Linux.

On average players spend around 14 hours playing The Roottrees are Dead.

The Roottrees are Dead was released on January 15, 2025.

The Roottrees are Dead was developed by Evil Trout Inc..

The Roottrees are Dead has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

The Roottrees are Dead is a single player game.

Similar games include The Case of the Golden Idol, TR-49, Return of the Obra Dinn, Chants of Sennaar, The Painscreek Killings and others.

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