We had the opportunity to play a very early test version of the game Rootbound and we are thrilled with the possibilities, as well as the simplicity of the game. It is a puzzle/mystery game where the focus is on exploration and uncovering secrets.
The game starts with a delivery quest that seems simple. Early on, we encounter a living backpack that joins us on our adventure and helps us throughout the game. We can store items in it, but also throw objects at it that it will try to catch and store (sometimes unsuccessfully) if there is space for them.
We explore the world through limited zones where we solve puzzles. Most items can be picked up, used as weapons, thrown, or stored in the bag. The maps have multiple items we can manipulate and collect. Until we reach specific puzzles, it is initially hard to guess what we actually need, and it’s easy to fill the bag with unnecessary materials or weapons. The visual style is very simple and pleasant, significantly adding to the quality of exploring maps and secrets.
The combat in the game is a bit clumsy, but quite fun. We have a large number of options for what we can throw at enemies or what we can use as weapons, and when we are unsure of what to do, the dodge roll is there for us. All enemies so far have been very simple, but the focus is more on exploration and overcoming obstacles than on combat.
As this is a game where the bag is one of the highlights, the only frustrating part of the game appears here: inventory management. The limited storage space for items forces us early on to choose what we carry with us and in what quantity, as only some items can overlap. This is part of the challenge and a completely expected element of the game, but it is a downside for someone like me who loves to hoard everything they find.
All in all, the game seems very promising and we hope it will progress well. The currently available content is very limited, but it has still shown the main aspects of the game well.
With a few new options in combat and more open zones, the game could be excellent. We will follow the news related to the game and look forward to all updates.
Access to the early demo version of the game was provided to us by the development studio Brainlag Games. The release is scheduled for 2026 for PC and consoles. During this year's Gamescom from August 20 to 24, 2025, visitors will be able to try out the demo version in the Home of Indies pavilion in hall 10.2.
