“The Roottrees Are Dead” combines detective sleuthing and point-and-click adventure elements, adding depth to what appears as a simple genealogical quest. Robin Ward created this game as an original piece during the Global Game Jam in 2023, releasing it as a free browser game.
The Steam version presents an expanded experience with fresh features, making it appealing to experienced puzzle solvers and newcomers alike. The shift from a game jam project to a complete release demonstrates Ward’s skill in refining game mechanics while preserving the original appeal – something that can prove challenging when small projects expand to bigger platforms.
“The Roottrees Are Dead” sits comfortably among classic detective-style point-and-click adventures. Similar to games like “Her Story” and “Return of the Obra Dinn,” it presents narrative exploration that places players in an armchair detective role.
Through well-designed puzzles and an easy-to-use interface, the game requires players to observe details and think logically, creating an experience that challenges the mind and satisfies curiosity. The mix of gameplay elements distinguishes it among games focused on rich storytelling and player exploration.
Nostalgia and Mystery: Setting and Narrative of “The Roottrees Are Dead”
“The Roottrees Are Dead” takes place in 1998, using the period’s technology to create a detective story. The game includes 90s elements like dial-up modem sounds and basic internet browser designs.
The pre-social media setting adds to the game’s appeal, presenting obstacles linked to old technology. Players use these outdated computer systems to learn about the Roottree family’s past, showing what research looked like before Google made information easy to find.
A news report announces the death of the Roottree family, led by the head of a major candy company. The player becomes a genealogy researcher investigating this case. The main task involves building the Roottree family tree and finding possible inheritors. Players examine records and documents about each family member to solve this case.
The game mixes family history research with mystery elements. Though it looks simple, “The Roottrees Are Dead” tells a story full of family drama and hidden plots, similar to TV shows. Players find various family secrets – from long-running arguments to unknown children. Each discovery shows new parts of the characters’ stories, making the straightforward task of building a family tree much more interesting.
Deciphering the Past: Gameplay Mechanics of “The Roottrees Are Dead”
“The Roottrees Are Dead” uses a point-and-click interface that blends mouse and keyboard controls to create an authentic ’90s PC experience. Players use a virtual workspace styled after old computers. The game lets players switch between web browsers, a desk, and a note system. All these elements feel natural to use and bring satisfaction.
Research makes up most of the gameplay, similar to actual detective work. Players search through fake web pages, old newspapers, and library records – just like someone would in 1998.
The game makes players be exact with their searches, similar to real detective work. Finding new leads through photos, news articles, and other items shows what it’s like to be an investigator working with old tech.
The game includes useful tools like note-taking and text marking features. Players can write down their ideas and important hints in a digital notebook as they learn about the Roottree family. This helps them keep track of all the information they find. Players can mark important words or pictures they find, which helps them connect different pieces of the story.
Artful Nostalgia: Visual and Audio Design of “The Roottrees Are Dead”
“The Roottrees Are Dead” mixes art and sound to make players feel like they’re back in the 1990s. Artist Henning Ludvigsen, who has worked on many board games, created hand-drawn pictures for the game.
His art gives each character and scene its own look, making them easy to recognize and pleasant to look at. The drawings help players match faces with names as they build the Roottree family tree.
The game’s music puts players in the right mood with jazz lounge songs playing in the background. These tunes fit the 1990s setting and make a nice backdrop for solving mysteries. The music style differs from the art but creates a calm space for players to think about clues and family mysteries.
Old computer sounds, like the screeching dial-up internet noise, make the game feel real to people who remember the early days of the internet. These sounds bring back memories and make the story feel true to its time.
Unfolding Mysteries: Game Content and Structure of “The Roottrees Are Dead”
“The Roottrees Are Dead” splits its story into two parts: the main game and the extra chapter called “Roottreemania.” The main story asks players to make a family tree for the Roottree clan.
Players need to find fifty family members, writing down their names, jobs, and matching their pictures. This big job needs smart thinking and good observation skills to find hidden family connections. The story feels big but personal, as each person adds to the family’s history.
After players finish the main story, they can play “Roottreemania.” This new mystery shows what happened after the first story ended, with different family members and new stories to discover.
Players look into cheating scandals and find distant relatives, which makes the game play differently. Though it connects to the first story, “Roottreemania” tells its own tale, keeping the detective style that made the original game fun to play.
Cracking the Case: Puzzle Difficulty and Hint Systems in “The Roottrees Are Dead”
“The Roottrees Are Dead” creates puzzles that show smart game creation, asking players to use logic and see small hints. The game becomes hard because of the big family tree players must create, and how each piece of information links to other parts.
Similar to games like “Return of the Obra Dinn,” players need to spot and read small hints, putting different pieces of information together. The puzzles stay fun and hard, testing players’ thinking and patience.
The game helps players with a layered hint system. This system helps without giving away answers. It starts with small hints that point players to new areas or things they missed.
Players who need extra help can get clearer tips. This step-by-step help comes without any penalties, letting players stay interested and feel good about solving puzzles, even when stuck. The game stays fun for both new and skilled players.
A Captivating Dive: Overall Experience with “The Roottrees Are Dead”
“The Roottrees Are Dead” will grab puzzle and mystery fans with its detective story. The game joins other good titles like “Her Story” and “Return of the Obra Dinn,” mixing story with smart puzzle design. Players stay interested because of the tricky challenges and gripping plot.
Players might come back to play again to find missed clues or try the “Roottreemania” extra story. The game offers many ways to solve its mysteries, making it a good puzzle adventure.
The Review
The Roottrees are Dead
"The Roottrees Are Dead" is a smart detective game that mixes 90s style with good puzzles. The story comes alive through pretty artwork and fitting sound effects, pulling players into a web of family secrets they'll want to solve. The game can be hard, but its helpful hint system makes it playable for everyone. Players who like detective games will spend many fun hours figuring out the mystery.
PROS
- Immersive 1990s setting with authentic technology and cultural references.
- Intricate and engaging narrative with deep family secrets and mysteries.
- Highly detailed hand-drawn illustrations and atmospheric jazz soundtrack.
- Robust and intuitive gameplay mechanics with effective hint system.
CONS
- Complexity can be daunting for players unfamiliar with puzzle-heavy games.
- Some players may find the pacing slow due to the focus on extensive reading and deduction.
- Replayability might be limited once main puzzles are completed.
