First Impressions: Root

The Game

Root is a game of adventure and conflict in a forest kingdom inhabited by a variety of creatures. Players take on the role of one of the factions vying for control over the forest, each with their own unique abilities and objectives. The game is set in a richly imagined world filled with vibrant characters and complex political maneuvering.

At its core, Root is a game of strategy and resource management. Players must balance the need to expand their territory, gather resources, and build up their armies while also keeping an eye on their opponents’ moves. The game features a unique system of action points, which allows players to take multiple actions each turn, but also limits their ability to do so based on their resources. This creates a delicate balance between risk and reward, forcing players to carefully consider their moves and weigh the potential consequences.

One of the standout features of Root is its beautiful artwork and design. The game board is a lush and colorful representation of the forest kingdom, with detailed illustrations of the various creatures and factions. The game also comes with a variety of wooden tokens and pieces, adding to the overall aesthetic appeal.

Another impressive aspect of Root is its replayability. With multiple factions to play as, each with its own unique abilities and objectives, the game offers plenty of opportunities for exploration and experimentation. Additionally, the game features a system of hidden agendas that adds an extra layer of strategy and unpredictability to each game.

First Impressions

I’ve recently played a game of Root at our local club, The Northern Knights. It was my first go at it. It was suggested that I’d enjoy this game and I definitely did. I played as the cats and I lost, but I had a good time losing. That’s usually a good sign.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Stuart Disbury (@tavendale)

I think my favourite thing about the game is that each person is playing such a different game from the other players. My love of asymmetrical games is well-documented. My game as the cats was very different, both visually and substantially, from what each other player was experiencing. Fantastic, that!

I’ve only played one game in person so far, but I have picked up the video game edition on Steam. I’ve done a couple of games on there and I’m really coming to enjoy this game. I’ve mostly stuck with the cats to get the hang of that side of the game, but I’m now finding my eye wandering towards another faction…

Of the four factions in the core game, the one that I find really quite interesting is that of the Eyrie, the faction of birds. The Eyrie dynasty has several unique elements that set it apart from the other factions in the game.

The Eyrie dynasty exercises control of the map by building Roosts. These Roosts allow the Eyrie to move around the map more easily and also serve towards scoring.

The Eyrie is the only faction in the game that has an identified leader, taken from a selection of different potential leaders. This leader serves as a rallying point for the rest of the faction and gives them a sense of purpose and direction, as defined by the cards that you commit to different aspects of the game and types of actions. This is really where the complexity lies and I can’t claim to fully understand it yet.

This faction is known for being one of the more challenging factions to play, as it requires careful balancing of resources, the management of Roosts, and the coordination of recruitment. This level of complexity adds depth and replayability to the game and provides a unique experience for players who choose to play as the Eyrie.

Overall, Root is an outstanding game that offers a unique and engaging gaming experience. Whether you’re a seasoned board gamer or just starting out, Root is a must-play. Its intricate gameplay, beautiful design, and replayability make it a standout game in a crowded field. So why not gather some friends, grab a drink, and embark on a journey through the forest kingdom of Root.