Project Root Reviews
Project Root is one of those rare occasions where the game falters not just through poor execution, but through poor concept. Having a shmup in an open-world is awkward because you need to be able to see all of your surroundings.
Project Root is a frustrating game because there is a genuinely good shooter hidden under a number of poor design choices. It is rather like a Michael Bay movie in that when it works, it works really well, with explosions going off left, right and centre, hundreds of bullets and a genuine sense of excitement. However, it also shares the same problems and the levels are far too sprawling, the plot is terrible and sometimes you have no idea what is going on. I really hope there will be a sequel and the team do some serious play-testing and refine the game.
Games like Project Root make you contemplate the futility of existence, and not in a good way like the philosophical musings of Postman Pat. It's not a bad game – not like Rambo or Ride to Hell: Retribution – it's just very, very boring. There needs to be a reason to play, and there's just nothing here to get excited about.
Project Root delivers on its promise of a bullet-hell style game with twin stick controls, but the mixture comes with plenty of issues. Those looking for a grindy-challenging affair that is mechanically sound will not find their money wasted, but I still wish it was fine-tuned for a more enjoyable experience.
Had Project Root thrown in a better checkpoint system and a far more rockin' soundtrack, it could be considered one of the better retro-inspired shooters on the market. As it stands, only a certain few will be able to appreciate it with its high difficulty settings. Those that do, however, should be satisfied with getting to the Root of the problem.
Unfairly difficult and technically incompetent, Project Root is a classic example of a good idea gone horribly, horribly wrong.
Project Root is an enthusiastic first attempt at a top down, twin stick from developer OPQAM, but it is a game caught in a trap of its own design.
Project Root has some good ideas, but the execution is just so far off the mark that it ends up being little more than an exercise in repetition and frustration
A fun little shoot-em-up with an interesting twist, but only if you're not really interested in a story line and just want to pop some bad guys when you have a bit of down-time.
A nice concept with just one too many issues to make it worthwhile.
Project Root blithely assembles the worst parts of classic SHMUPs and exploration-driven shooters into a complete mess. Lacklustre presentation, an inappropriate progression system and clipping glitches on all formats round out a thoroughly disappointing package.
There's scope here for a good game were a bit more work put in, but the smart money says that you'll be way more frustrated with Project Root's patently unfair gameplay than you are impressed by it.
Project Root might not be the best shooter that you'll play this year, but it's undoubtedly an interesting one.