An exciting mystery game that combines the essence of Succession and Return of the Obra Dinn.

The growing interest in the genre known as "Metroidbrainia" has brought about a series of games that emphasize the gathering of information and deduction by the player. Titles like Return of the Obra Dinn and Rise of the Golden Idol have captured attention for their challenging puzzles, although the narratives in these games don’t always meet expectations. However, The Roottrees are Dead has managed to overcome this limitation by combining an intriguing set of puzzles with a deep and captivating story.

The game revolves around the secrets of the Roottree family. What starts as a simple challenge to identify each member of the family tree gradually transforms into a commentary on how this family, descended from a business mogul, is marked by the obsession of a deceased man with his legacy.

For those already familiar with other titles in the genre, the central mechanics of The Roottrees are Dead will feel familiar. It involves gathering information to complete the details of each member of the Roottree family, which includes identifying the name, face, and occupation of each direct relative of the patriarch, Elias. The interesting aspect here is the approach to data collection, which is conducted through a simulated computer desk, with a search engine that offers an immersive experience.

Players can explore different websites, newspapers, and books that contain the answers they seek, recreating that feeling of getting lost in a digital labyrinth. This dynamic allows players to dive into the mystery as soon as they start searching, unaware of how quickly time passes.

The story begins with an anonymous request to identify the 50 members (living and dead) of the Roottree family, which leads to a revelation of the meticulously constructed public image they have built. The effectiveness of this game lies in how the narrative unfolds slowly, revealing fragments hidden in the articles and web pages used to identify relatives, inviting the player to dig deeper without realizing what is happening.

Throughout the game, there is a reference to a quote attributed to Elias: “Blood is thicker than syrup,” which emphasizes the importance he placed on his direct lineage over his prosperous candy business. Through generational disputes, it is revealed that Elias did not seem to value family as such, but rather his own legacy, which is intrinsically linked to the success of his business.

Players will start by identifying the male members of the family directly tied to the business, such as Elias and his successors, all men. This initial focus may give the impression that gathering information is easy, as prominent figures in the lineage are encountered quickly. However, the search for the Roottree women tends to be more complicated, starting with the diaries of Lauren Roottree, Elias's granddaughter. Through Lauren's more intimate perspectives, the conflicts and private life of the family are revealed, contrasting with the public profiles of the men.

The early records of the women in the family reveal that many of them were homemakers and had no formal role in the family business, indicating a devaluation of their contributions in the family narrative. The game's dynamics also reflect this inequality, as it is likely that players will find less information about the women due to the family's neglect of their history.

Following Elias's death, the new generations manage to emancipate themselves from his influence, but his legacy continues to tie the company's benefits to the family inheritance, highlighting a form of post-mortem control. Unlike other games that focus almost exclusively on puzzles, The Roottrees are Dead effectively intertwines its deduction mechanics with the narrative. Each piece of information is not just a clue to a larger mystery but also a window into the lives of those who make up the family tree, allowing their stories to reach the light from the shadow of a controlling patriarch.

The Roottrees are Dead is now available on PC.