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.
The game places you in the role of a researcher stranded in a mysterious forest. Your primary actions consist of freely exploring the environment, uncovering the game's narrative and secrets, and engaging in occasional combat against supernatural threats. The developers intentionally restrict your movement speed, which can lead to a sense of frustration when navigating the expansive, maze-like forest.
A key aspect of the gameplay is your ability to make choices that shape the narrative and determine the ending you experience. Each in-game day, you must decide how to spend your time, whether exploring further, returning to your initial location, or attempting to escape the forest altogether. Your choices have consequences, with some leading to different story branches and outcomes. The reviews highlight how this choice-driven gameplay encourages multiple playthroughs as you seek to uncover alternative paths and endings based on your decisions.
The game excels in creating a haunting, atmospheric experience. Its hand-drawn art style, combined with minimalist yet effective sound design, work together to immerse you in the dark, foreboding forest setting. Exploration is a crucial part of the gameplay, as you navigate the maze-like environment, searching for clues and unraveling the mystery of the missing research team. The reviews praise the game's ability to foster a sense of dread and unease, with the ever-present threat of the unseen, supernatural entity serving as a constant source of tension.
While combat is not the primary focus, the game does feature occasional encounters with hostile entities. Reviews suggest that these combat situations are not particularly challenging, but they serve to heighten the sense of danger and add to the overall survival horror atmosphere. Players have the choice to fight, flee, or even let themselves be killed, with the latter option resulting in the character waking up unharmed the next day. This mechanic is noted as an interesting way to approach the game's mortality and consequences.
The reviews consistently praise the game for its replayability, as the choice-driven narrative and multiple endings encourage players to experience the game multiple times to see how their decisions impact the story. The game's slow pace and meditative exploration are also seen as positive aspects, allowing players to fully immerse themselves in the eerie, Lovecraftian-inspired world.
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