Root Film

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Root Film
RF PS4 cover.jpg
Root Film game cover released in all regions
Developer(s)Kadokawa Games
Publisher(s)
  • JP: Kadokawa Games
  • WW: PQube
Writer(s)Hifumi Kono
Platform(s)Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4
Release
  • JP: July 30, 2020
  • WW: March 19, 2021
Genre(s)Visual novel
Mode(s)Single-player

Root Film is an adventure visual novel video game by Kadokawa Games. The game is a spiritual successor to 2016's Root Letter visual novel and the second entry in the Kadokawa Mystery Games series. The game released on the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 in Japan in July 2020, and on March 19, 2021 in North America and Europe.

Gameplay[]

The game plays as a murder mystery visual novel; much of the game is spent reading text to advance the story.[1] When the player is ready to accuse a suspect, a fighting video game-styled segment ensues.[2] Other segments include mini-games where inconsistencies must be fixed and stories put together into a narrative, similar to aspects of the Danganronpa and Ace Attorney series of games.[2]

Story[]

Similar to its predecessor, Root Letter the game's fictional story takes place in the real-life Shimane Prefecture in Japan.[3][4] The story follows dual protagonists; Rintaro Yagumo, an aspiring but poor film director, and Riho, an up-and-coming actress who hasn't quite had her breakthrough yet.[5][1] In the game, a TV series called "Shimane Mystery Drama Project" has been green lit, and both Rintaro and Riho are excited this could be their breakthrough roles.[4][1] However, a real life murder mysteriously occurs on the set very early on in the process and puts things to a halt, and the two, along with various other crew involved try to find out what happened.[4]

Development[]

The game is generally considered a sequel[4] or successor[6][7] to the Root Letter visual novel, grouped together by what is called the Kadokawa Games Mystery series moniker.[8] The two game's stories are unrelated and unconnected, but share thematic similarities, and many voice actors, to give a feeling of a running series.[9][10] Sequel ideas for Root Letter were being considered as early as late 2016.[11] The games existence as a formal project was known as early as October 2018, when it was announced under its tentative name Root Letter 2.[12] The game was formally revealed and announced under its official name, Root Film, a year later in October 2019.[1][13]

The game was originally scheduled for release on April 23, 2020 in Japan,[5] but received a short delay to July 30, 2020.[4] The game was announced for an English localization in September 2020, with an intended Q1 2021 release date,[14] later solidified down to March 19, 2021. A limited edition version of the game was also announced for its Western release, which includes a 100 page art booklet packaged with the physical copy of the game.[14][4]

Reception[]

Root Film received a 8/8/8/8 (32/40) rating from Japanese magazine Famitsu.[15] However, the game did not fare well on the Japanese video game charts; the PS4 version debuted at number 30 in the top 30 selling video games of the week, moving 1679 copies, and the Switch version charting somewhere under it.[16]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d "Root Film announced for PS4, Switch". Gematsu. October 19, 2019.
  2. ^ a b "Root Film Is A Murder-Mystery Visual Novel That's Like Ace Attorney, But You Get To Fight People". Nintendo Life. January 27, 2021.
  3. ^ "Root Film - Announcement Trailer - IGN" – via www.ign.com.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "'Root Film' PS4/Switch Game's Trailer Reveals March 19 Release in the West". Anime News Network.
  5. ^ a b "Root Film launches April 23, 2020 in Japan". Gematsu. December 24, 2019.
  6. ^ Simón, Jaime San (October 21, 2019). "Root Film es el sucesor de Root Letter".
  7. ^ Luster, Joseph. "Root Letter Successor Root Film to Bring Its Mystery to the West". Crunchyroll.
  8. ^ S, Matt. "On following up the magnificent Root Letter".
  9. ^ "Root Film details Shouko Manabe, Monami Haishima". Gematsu. October 28, 2019.
  10. ^ "Root Film's Director Discusses Root Letter Connections and Improvements". July 25, 2020.
  11. ^ "Creator of PS4 visual novel Root Letter talks its inspirations, potential sequels". PlayStation.Blog. November 7, 2016.
  12. ^ "New Projects Root Letter: Last Answer And Root Letter 2 Announced". August 3, 2018.
  13. ^ "Root Film, Mystery Adventure Following Root Letter, Announced for PS4, Switch".
  14. ^ a b "Root Film English Release Set for Q1 2021". September 4, 2020.
  15. ^ "Famitsu Review Scores: Issue 1651". Gematsu. July 21, 2020.
  16. ^ "Famitsu Sales: 7/27/20 – 8/2/20 [Update]". Gematsu. August 6, 2020.
  17. ^ "Root Film for Switch Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 2021-08-30.
  18. ^ "Root Film for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 2021-08-30.
  19. ^ Hilhorst, Willem (30 August 2021). "Root Film (Switch) Review". . Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  20. ^ "Root Film Review (Switch) | Aces high". Nintendo Life. 30 August 2021. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  21. ^ "Mini Review: Root Film (PS4) - An Enjoyable, If Standard, Visual Novel | Aces high". Push Square. 30 August 2021. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  22. ^ "Root Film review | Aces high". Adventure Gamers. 30 August 2021. Retrieved 30 August 2021.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""