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| A screengrab from titular game's built-in "search engine" set in the 90s |
In the vast landscape of indie games, few concepts are as intriguingly executed as The Roottrees are Dead. What began as a passion project for the Global Game Jam in 2023 has evolved into a critically acclaimed mystery, capturing the imaginations of players with its unique blend of narrative and digital sleuthing. Developed and published by Jeremy Johnston, this browser-born puzzle has received a stunning remaster, making it one of the most distinctive experiences you can play today.
At its heart, the game is a time capsule. You step into the worn shoes of a private investigator, hired by a mysterious woman to uncover the fate of the obscenely wealthy Roottree family. The twist? Your investigation takes place entirely on a computer screen, set in the year 1998. The internet is your sole tool—a nascent, buzzing world of dial-up connections and basic HTML pages. Your job is to scour this digital frontier, using a period-accurate browser to search for articles, images, and any fleeting mention of the family, piecing together identities from the sparse information available.
The premise is compelling. The Roottrees—three sisters and their parents—were presumed dead after their private plane crashed. With an estate exceeding one billion dollars at stake, potential heirs are emerging from the woodwork. Some are genuine; others are frauds. Some might be family without even knowing it. It’s your job to untangle this web. You’ll annotate photos with correct names, and each discovery reveals deeper personal lore. But be warned: as the game’s own notes caution, the evidence becomes “harder and more obscure to find” as you progress, demanding keen attention to detail and clever deduction.
The 2025 remaster elevated the game from a clever jam project to a polished gem. It’s rebuilt in Unity with vastly updated designs, but its crowning visual glory comes from hand-drawn illustrations by acclaimed board game artist Henning Ludvigsen. His artwork brings a haunting, tangible quality to the Roottree family portraits and documents you discover. This update also added an entirely new case, extending the original narrative and offering returning players fresh mysteries to solve.
Critics and fans alike have praised the game for its immersive gameplay and the satisfying depth of its puzzle systems. The story, which unfolds entirely through your own investigative work, creates a powerful sense of discovery. This praise is reflected in its stellar reception on digital platforms. For those ready to begin their investigation, the game is available on Steam, where it boasts an ‘Overwhelmingly Positive’ rating from over 4,600 reviewers.
For a limited time, would-be detectives can dive into this billion-dollar mystery at a discount. The game is currently 20% off, priced at just $15.99, until January 5th. Whether you’re a fan of narrative puzzles, nostalgic for the early web, or simply seeking a truly unique gaming experience, The Roottrees are Dead offers a captivating journey into the past, where every click could uncover a secret, and every correct guess brings you closer to solving a family tragedy shrouded in wealth and mystery.