Root Letter
Top Critic Average
Critics Recommend
Critic Reviews for Root Letter
Root Letter is a strange visual novel, but one that keeps players interested throughout.
Root Letter is a great visual novel with superb production values that’s only held back by some localisation issues but excels in atmosphere and one that will remain with you for a long time.
Less-discerning players with a tolerance for bad localizations, or maybe Matsue residents, will find a pleasant diversion in Root Letter, but for everyone else, it's difficult to recommend, especially at its current price tag.
I play video games to have a good time. I’m sure you do, too. Even when we turn on something truly masochistic like Dark Souls or Super Meat Boy, we do so knowing that the uphill battle we struggle with will culminate in a satisfying, euphoric sense of accomplishment and joy. My laborious, 10-hour uphill battle with Root Letter ended in the hill giving way to a massive drop into a bottomless ravine, and as I fell through the ravine, I felt regret. I felt pain. I felt aggravation.
√Root Letter has many interesting ideas, but they never fully gel together at the end. I had high hopes after the first couple of hours of gameplay, but it was hard to continue after determining I did not like Max at all. It was even harder to like it after learning who Aya was. Perhaps the multiple endings do make it all easier to swallow and there is something mind-blowing within, but I doubt many will feel enticed to replay to find out.
Root Letter is not the worst example of the modern visual novel, that suffering from a lingering story, routine, almost zero interaction and stereotyped characters. Of course, if you love Japanese culture, then you will be pleased to experience all facets of local life. But to be honest Root Letter is too similar with Telltale games only without pathos and with static cute graphics.
Review in Russian |
Root Letter’s intriguing premise was just enough to keep me playing, despite the lacking tension that was initially promised.
Root Letter takes up the name of the Japanese visual novel proposing an adventure full of mystery and fascination. The title stands at above-average levels of quality thanks to a good script and impressive stylistic choices.
Review in Italian | Read full review
