Root Digital Board Game First Impressions

Root sees factions of animals fight over the forest.

They actually kill each other you… It’s pure murder out there!

The nefarious Marquise de Cat has seized the great woodland, intent on harvesting its riches. This Alliance will seek to strengthen its resources and subvert the rule of Cats. They may enlist the help of the wandering Vagabonds who are able to move through the more dangerous woodland paths.

Meanwhile, at the edge of the region, the proud, squabbling Eyrie have found a new commander who they hope will lead their faction to resume their ancient birthright.

How to play Root Digital

A playthrough of the basic tutorial to get to grips with the game before I start

Playing the tutorial with Marquise de Cat.

A playthrough of the tutorial of The Eyrie Dynastie.

A playthrough of the tutorial of The Woodland Alliance.

A playthrough of the tutorial of The Vagabond.

Theme

I love that these are animals fighting in a woodland. It’s really fun and something that really attracts me to the game. Make this same game but real life, or sci-fi, or even standard fantasy and I’m out.

The fact that each faction’s motivations make sense and there is also a political feel, not just all-out war really adds to the theme.

Components & Artwork

I’ve seen the game in real life out on the table and it looks OK. I’ve played Vast a couple of times by the same publisher and I don’t think I had any complaints.

I love the art in this game! It’s adorable and fun and cute and really attracts me.

Root Summary

Positives

I don’t like war games and most forms of take-that, but make it cute and add animals and I’m all in.

It’s adorable.

It’s a really good digital implementation with excellent music that has you dancing.

All the factions play very differently which is nice but…

Negatives

…I will only own this digitally as the thought of teaching all of it makes me anxious.

When playing solo, you still need to know how all the factions work to prevent them from scoring which is a lot to remember.

With this in mind, it’s a tough play for a video game with so much to remember. I guess if I play it a lot it’ll come naturally to me but until then, it’s a chore. Not blaming the game, but I’ve said before in these digital reviews that I play video games to relax and I don’t like to have to concentrate THIS much.

If you want to get everything for the physical game, it’s quite pricey all in now.

Summary

I don’t play many games like this so I can only really compare it to something like Twilight Imperium 4th Edition? Yes, I know they are MASSIVELY different but for asynchronous fighting and politicking? It’s the best I can do.

But this is good fun, if not a rules-heavy alternative that’s cute enough to fit in with what I like in a board game.

Root Physical

So I managed to play the physical game as the Cats.

Something I find is that I can much easier learn a physical game, mostly because I’m forced to remember how the game is played. It’s easier to remember what to do when your only options aren’t flashing!

I mean, I sucked! But I had fun, to be fair on me, getting a fair few points and not finishing too far back. Reminded me of the first time I played Twilight Imperium 4th Edition and I fell 1 point short purely due to my inexperience.

But as fun as it was I’m glad I didn’t buy it. Teaching sounded painful and long and now all in it’s VERY expensive just for the playable expansion.

I wouldn’t even want to know what it costs to get a version that looks like the one I played!

Jesta ThaRogue