Rooted is a post-apocalyptic survival base-building game, which has caught our attention at Gamescom 2022’s Future Game Show Event! You either play solo or with friends as you all try to make the best of what you have in this bleak and seemingly desolate world. Rooted is developed and published by Headlight Studio. It is planned to be released on March 2024 via PC.
Rooted Gameplay Trailer Feels and Looks Like The Last of Us
Rooted’s gameplay trailer takes us to the year 2100 in which remnants of the past are highlighted such as unoccupied parks, unkempt vines surrounding gas stations, and empty houses with no trace of anyone in the vicinity. Even the subway is devoid of life. Because of how well-utilized Unreal Engine 5 is in depicting meticulously detailed and grim environmental designs, you cannot help but feel like you are roaming the same universe asThe Last of Us.
Open realistic spaces are very much reminiscent of that. Not only does the world feel lonely and isolating to explore, but you are also left with no other choice but to scrounge whatever you can just to survive.
Rooted - A Brief History
In Rooted, you play as a survivor where you are forced to adapt and live with whatever the past can offer. This is no easy task since you always need to move carefully. Even if nature has occupied the streets and buildings, and time has passed, bacterial weapons continue to be deadly. Matters are made worse in urban places so you must wear special equipment for maximum protection.
The trailer does provide context as to what happened almost 100 years ago via the State Emergency Announcement, warning people not to leave the city. Living your life by following your usual routine of going to school and working is acceptable. The government assures everyone that they will not be affected by bacterial attacks. As you traverse from one area to the next, you hear the voice once again but this time she is talking about the distribution of food, which is done on a weekly basis. However, this is not given automatically.
You should check beforehand whether or not there are enough stocks available. Only then can you register with your smartphone. Additionally, you are reminded to keep your ID with you “in case of control.” We are not exactly certain what she means by this but it appears that people are being seized so having a clear form of identification might just set them free. To make matters worse, security robots have been deployed for the purposes of safety. But we all know that this is the government’s way of keeping a close eye on them because of course, it is less about protection and more about control.
Rooted - Gameplay Loop and Multiplayer
As one of the few who has survived bacteriological warfare, you will have to fend for yourself by setting up camp and building upon this foundation through exploration. you’re able to do it in the village, forest, or even downtown. Whether you are alone or part of a group, you will have to collect scraps, fix items, and craft new equipment.
Speaking of the Multiplayer mode, you have to be careful since friendly fire is enabled in the game so the chances of accidentally shooting your friends are quite high. It is also going to be easy to connect to sessions since you can join them whenever and wherever they might be. And finally, there is going to be an in-game communication system, which Headlight Studio assures will make the experience feel more authentic.
Rooted - Build and Survive
When it comes to building your camp from the ground up, you will be farming for resources, salvaging parts, and crafting tools all with the goal of fortifying your base. This is done by providing yourself with a steady supply of electricity and boosting your defenses against prying enemies.
Similar to other survival games, you can build outposts when you secure offices and houses. This way, you will not have to travel long distances when moving from one point to the next. The tools you create from crafting will enhance your life in terms of giving you access to food and water, health packs, and even modes of transportation rather than exploring the world purely on foot.
Recovering whatever spare parts you can is also essential to your survival. This lets you repair and use a lot of the items that you obtain such as the generator. Now you should also consider the condition of the objects you are salvaging. The more pristine its condition, the more parts you will get.
Rooted will also continue to evolve as you go deeper into the game because the environment will change depending on what you decide to do. It will certainly be interesting to see the major events Headlight Studios is referring to since these will supposedly alter the challenges that are being introduced to you.
Combat and Enemy Types
Going back to the trailer, there is one scenario where you visit a compound. But it is not your usual space since you have to crouch and stay behind cover, lest you be seen wandering around in the restricted premises. This is our very first glimpse of someone walking from one end of the corridor to the next. You are then caught in a small altercation in which gunshots are fired from the floor above. Will you still be able to explore, build, and salvage the things around you? How far are you willing to go to survive?
Staying alive in Rooted is no easy feat because you are going to encounter hostile creatures. These include humans who may be part of smaller groups trying to steal your resources or those that are heavily armed to scare the other survivors. Next, because nature has taken over, you can expect to go up against hungry animals such as bears and wolves. And finally, since the past has experienced a strong taste of technology, you will be facing robots in the form of drones and mechanical dogs, much like in the dystopian series, Black Mirror.
Kickstarter Page
Rooted’s Kickstarter page has been put up this week, and it contains additional details on where the game is heading. Since development just started last March 2022, it will take some time before we can even give this title a try. The earliest estimate of the developers is early next year when Closed Alpha sessions will be held. The Closed Beta will also be available in the latter part of 2023 before launching on March 2024.
