The Roottrees are Dead first impression seems a bit rough after playing Hypnospace Outlaw

There are some great ideas here, but I can't shake the feeling that this would have been so much better with the verisimiltude and authentic vibe of the brilliant Hypnospace Outlaw. That game absolutely nailed the feel of 90's websurfing. In this game however, the key game mechanic of using a simulated web browser is made EXTREMELY awkward and cumbersome by generating only a stilted summary of each query, as opposed to anything resembling an actual search.

The mystery in HO was also extraordinarily captivating, making you feel like a genuine internet detective as you plunged deeper and deeper down the conspiracy rabbit hole, With Roottree, however, there's barely any impetus to construct the family tree to begin with, let alone sort through the rather mundane and often outright dull details of the family member's lives.

Although I haven't yet finished it, I was disappointed to hear that the serious tone of the game's title will in all probability prove to be rather irrelevant. Having the word "Dead" in the title of a mystery game implies nefarious happenings: from what I can gather, a more appropriate title would have been: Basic Genealogy Simulator.

In addition, the writing comes off as occasionally unpolished and often tedious, and would have likely greatly benefited from a skilled editor. Moreover, every character in the game, including the narrator, talks EXACTLY in the same style of voice.

Also, how on earth does the revised, hand-painted art look like the most AI generated thing in the world?? My son looked at the game as I was playing and said, "Wow Dad that's some AI looking art right there!" I couldn't help but agree.

Finally, I couldn't help but eyeroll HARD to one of the in-game suggestions regarding the Roottree cousin that was in the punk band. It is speculated that, although the band members prefer to remain anonymous, the band must really be FILTHY RICH, because they were able to sell their band CDs for only $1!! Woooow! Have the game authors honestly never heard of demo tapes/CDs given out free to fans throughout the whole history of punk rock?? Yeah, I cringed hard on that one!

On a more positive note, the jazzy soundtrack is perfect and absolutely SLAPS!!!