Rusty Lake: Roots
Genres: Puzzle, Escape Room, Horror, Mystery, Point & Click, Story Rich, Atmospheric, Adventure
Play modes: singleplayer
Release Date: 20-10-2016
Developer: Rusty Lake
Our verdict
9/10
- Difficulty: Medium
- Players: 1
- Playtime: 4–6 h
Rusty Lake: Roots is a 2D point-and-click puzzle game from the makers of the Cube Escape series. James Vanderboom plants a strange seed in the garden of his inherited house, and you follow his family across generations, unlocking portraits on a tree of life one level at a time. With over 33 levels it is one of the studio's largest games, and it suits solo players who like their puzzles macabre and surreal.
Around 95% of more than 2,000 Steam reviews are positive. Players single out the family-tree structure, the alchemy elements and the dark, eerie lore that spans several decades. Several reviewers call its puzzles the most coherent in the series, with a good mix of easy and harder ones; a first-time player still needed the walkthrough a few times.
The written reviews show few complaints. The story is deliberately strange and leaves many questions open, and some gory moments may put off sensitive players. Expect four to six hours, plus more for achievements. At a very low price it is an easy recommendation, and a good entry point into the Rusty Lake universe.
Pros
- Family-tree structure ties 33+ levels into one generational story
- Players call its puzzles the most coherent in the series
- Very low price for four to six hours
Cons
- Cryptic story leaves many questions unanswered
- Some gory, unsettling moments
About
James Vanderboom's life drastically changes when he plants a special seed in the garden of the house he has inherited. Expand your bloodline by unlocking portraits in the tree of life.
Rusty Lake: Roots is the second premium point-and-click adventure by Rusty Lake, the creators of the Cube Escape series and Rusty Lake Hotel.
Key features:
Pick-up-and-play: easy to start but hard to put down
Unique storyline: experience the beginning and end of characters' lives and build your own family tree
More than 33 levels: the biggest Rusty Lake game so far is filled with puzzles
Full of suspense and atmosphere: switching from calm to very dark moments
Immersive soundtrack: each level has its own theme song and variations
Achievements: the tree has more secrets to unravel
