About ROOTS (classic)
ROOTS (classic) is a small plant game where you play a seed pushing its root down through the soil in search of fresh water. The deeper you go, the more you find, and the more that can stop you.
You steer with the mouse, and the root tip heads toward your pointer. Water is your health, and the amount you carry shows right on the tip of the root. Steer into water pockets to top up and keep going. Poison drains your supply, so you either route around it or upgrade to tougher roots. Roots grow faster when heading straight down, and every 50 cm of depth earns you a flower.
This is the original jam version, made in 48 hours for Ludum Dare 48 and left as it was. The art looks hand-drawn, with pale roots against dark soil, gray stones and bright blue water. You can play ROOTS (classic) online here with nothing but a mouse.
How to Play ROOTS (classic)
- Click Grow on the title screen to start.
- Move the mouse where you want the root to go.
- Steer into water to refill your health, which shows on the root tip.
- Stay clear of poison, which drains your water.
- Earn a flower for every 50 cm you descend.
- Upgrade your root so it can push further down.
What to Expect in ROOTS (classic)
Expect a calm-looking game with a real survival edge. Every push deeper is a bet that you'll reach the next pocket of water in time. A counter at the top tracks your depth in centimeters, along with your best depth so far, so there's always a number to beat.
Upgrades are the heart of it. Stronger roots handle poison better, and small side roots wander off on their own but move quickly and can pick up extra water. ROOTS (classic) free in a browser tab is a quick, satisfying plant game to come back to whenever you want to beat your record.
Tips for ROOTS (classic)
- Head straight down whenever the path is clear, since roots grow faster that way.
- Treat water pockets as stepping stones and route between them rather than taking the shortest line.
- Give poison a wide berth until your roots are strong enough to handle it.
- Keep one eye on the root tip, since that's where your water level shows.
- Put upgrades first. They make the biggest difference to how deep you get.
Who Made ROOTS (classic)
ROOTS (classic) was made by Pierre Vandermaesen, who released it on itch.io. It was built in Unity in 48 hours for the Ludum Dare 48 game jam. FunClicker embeds the creator's own version so you can play it here without downloading anything. We did not make the game, and the credit for its design, code, and art belongs to its creator. You can find the original on the ROOTS (classic) page on itch.io.
FAQ
Is ROOTS (classic) free?
Yes. ROOTS (classic) is free to play in your browser, with no download and no account. Press Grow on the title screen and your seed starts sending its root down. All you need is a mouse or trackpad, which makes it easy to start on almost any computer.
How do you play ROOTS (classic)?
Move the mouse and the root tip follows your pointer. Steer into water pockets to refill your health, avoid poison, and upgrade your root to push further down. Roots are faster heading straight down, and you earn a flower for every 50 cm of depth.
What is the goal in ROOTS (classic)?
Grow as deep as you can. You're a seed sending a root downward to find fresh water, and the game tracks your depth in centimeters along with your best result. Along the way you pick up water to stay alive, avoid hazards and upgrade your root to reach further.
Is ROOTS (classic) the jam version?
Yes. ROOTS (classic) is the original jam build, made in 48 hours for Ludum Dare 48 and kept untouched since. A later version with more features exists, but this one shows the game as it was at the end of the jam: short, focused and built around one clear idea.
Who made ROOTS (classic)?
ROOTS (classic) was made by Pierre Vandermaesen in Unity for the Ludum Dare 48 game jam and released on itch.io. FunClicker did not make the game. We embed the creator's own browser version, and the original is linked in the Who Made section.
Can I play ROOTS (classic) on a Chromebook or phone?
A Chromebook works well, since ROOTS (classic) needs only a mouse or trackpad. Phones are hit and miss, because the game is designed around a mouse pointer that the root follows. For steady control, a laptop or desktop is the better choice.
Is ROOTS (classic) unblocked at school?
It needs only a browser tab, with nothing to install. Whether it opens on a school network depends on that network's filters, which we do not control. If it loads, a trackpad is enough to play, so you do not need to bring a mouse.
What does water do in ROOTS (classic)?
Water is your health. The amount you have shows on the tip of your root, and poison drains it. Steer into water pockets to refill it so you can keep growing. Run out completely and that run ends, so plan your route between pockets carefully.
