Root on Steam - User reviews, Price & Information
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Might makes right in the wild wood! The award-winning board game of asymmetrical woodland warfare comes to cross-platform digital play! Combine subtle strategy and bold daring to guide your forest faction to victory!
Root is a board game, tabletop and strategy game
developed and published by Dire Wolf.
Released on September 24th 2020 is available on Windows and MacOS
in 10 languages: English, French, Italian, German, Spanish - Spain, Simplified Chinese, Czech, Japanese, Polish and Russian.
It has received 4,413 reviews of which 3,971 were positive and 442 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. 😎
The game is currently priced at 6.24€ on Steam with a 50% discount, but you can find it for less on K4G.
The Steam community has classified Root into these genres:
System requirements
These are the minimum specifications needed to play the game. For the best experience, we recommend that you verify them.
Windows
- Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
- OS *: Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 10 (64bit version only)
- Processor: Intel Pentium D or AMD Athlon 64 X2
- Memory: 2 GB RAM
- Graphics: Graphics card with DX11 or OpenGL 3.x capabilities
- DirectX: Version 11
- Storage: 1 GB available space
MacOS
- OS: OS X 10.11
- Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo
- Memory: 2 GB RAM
- Graphics: Graphics card with OpenGL 3.x capabilities
- Storage: 1 GB available space
User reviews & Ratings
Explore reviews from Steam users sharing their experiences and what they love about the game.
Root is hands down the best asymmetrical board game experience I’ve ever had, and the digital version does an excellent job of capturing what makes it so special. Each faction plays completely differently, which gives the game incredible replayability. While I still prefer the feel of the physical tabletop version, the digital edition is perfect for learning. It does a great job guiding you through the rules and interactions without feeling overwhelming, which is a big deal for a game with this much depth and complexity.
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Root, the digital adaptation of the acclaimed board game by Leder Games, is a deeply strategic and asymmetric experience that translates its complex tabletop mechanics into a dynamic and engaging digital format. Developed by Dire Wolf Digital, the Steam version preserves the spirit of the original while offering smooth, well-designed interfaces and accessible tutorials to help players navigate the intricacies of faction-based warfare. At its heart, Root is about woodland conflict between vastly different animal factions, each with their own rules, goals, and playstyles, which makes every match feel fresh, challenging, and full of tense decisions. The game takes place in a woodland realm where four (and potentially more, with expansions) factions vie for control of the forest. Each faction plays fundamentally differently—more so than in most strategy games. The Marquise de Cat focuses on industrial dominance, placing buildings and generating wood to expand infrastructure. The Eyrie Dynasties must follow a rigid decree each turn, gaining power quickly but risking collapse if they fail to meet their increasingly demanding orders. The Woodland Alliance spreads insurgency, growing in power from sympathy and rebellion rather than traditional force. The Vagabond operates alone, using stealth and relationships to trade, sabotage, and complete quests. These wildly differing mechanics demand unique strategies and create rich interplay, where understanding your opponent is as important as executing your own plan. What makes Root especially engaging is its commitment to asymmetry. It’s not just cosmetic—the fundamental ways each faction earns points, interacts with the board, and handles conflict are unique. This forces players to learn multiple systems and think on their feet, adjusting their approach depending on who they're up against and how the game develops. Victory points are the shared goal, but the path to achieving them differs so much that it often feels like each player is playing their own mini-game, one that intersects and interferes with the others in surprising and emergent ways. The digital version of Root shines in how it simplifies and clarifies what can be an intimidatingly complex board game. The user interface does a good job of showing necessary information without becoming overwhelming. Tooltips, faction summaries, and guided actions make the game more accessible than the physical version for newcomers. The AI provides a competent challenge for solo players, while the online multiplayer is where the game truly comes alive. Each decision feels impactful, and the presence of human opponents adds layers of deception, alliance, and betrayal that elevate the strategic depth. Visually, the game retains the charming art style of Kyle Ferrin’s original illustrations. The whimsical character designs and vibrant woodland setting contrast cleverly with the brutal political and military struggles at the game’s core. It’s a beautiful presentation, blending playful visuals with sharp mechanics in a way that keeps the tone balanced and engaging. Animations are fluid, and the music adds a lighthearted, woodsy ambiance that complements the gameplay without distracting from it. Every element of the UI is crafted with respect to the board game’s aesthetic, giving the digital version a distinct, faithful personality. As with its physical counterpart, one of Root's most significant barriers is its learning curve. The asymmetry, while brilliant, means that each faction requires a fair amount of study and practice to use effectively. Although the tutorials are helpful and comprehensive, they don’t fully prepare players for the dynamic shifts and strategic interplay that occur in live matches. New players might find themselves overwhelmed in early games, especially when facing more experienced opponents who know how to exploit each faction’s weaknesses. That said, this depth is also what gives Root such incredible replay value—every match teaches something new. The digital version has continued to grow post-launch with expansions like The Riverfolk and The Underworld, which introduce new factions and mechanics. These additions further diversify the game and offer even more strategic possibilities. The developers have done an excellent job of maintaining balance while continuing to support the game with updates and community engagement. Cross-platform support and matchmaking options also help ensure that online play remains vibrant. In conclusion, Root on Steam is a masterful adaptation of one of the most unique and inventive board games of the past decade. Its commitment to asymmetrical strategy, gorgeous art direction, and careful attention to user experience make it an essential experience for strategy fans. It’s a game that demands your attention, rewards your patience, and invites you to keep coming back—not just to win, but to learn, adapt, and see how the ever-shifting balance of woodland power plays out each time. Whether you're a fan of the original or new to the world of Root, this is one of the best digital board game experiences available today. Rating: 9/10
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NOTE: I acquired the physical board game first, then the Google Play digital version, then this one. I bought this on Steam because purchased DLC is shared across platforms—just buy the base game and log in to your account! QUICK REVIEW ----------------------- I adore this board game, and the digital version scratches the itch between board game nights. It's both simple and complex. It's very engaging and strikes the right balance of challenge. This scratches the same itch that chess does for me. Every game I play, I realize a new strategy. Oh, another reason to get the digital game: it's easier to learn/remember the rules when the computer prevents mistakes. :) First, let's talk about the digital version. Then, we'll talk about the game itself (which applies to both the physical and digital game): DIGITAL ----------------------- * Solo, Multiplayer, and Pass-and-Play! * Adds unique optional challenge modes for solo play! (For example: you can only win after destroying The Keep, or your enemy gets extra warriors to start.) * Character-specific tutorials, even for factions you don't own. (Try before you buy!) * If you're into asynchronous multiplayer, you should get this on mobile as well so that you are notified when it's your turn. :) * Digital con: the single-player's "undo" button sometimes isn't available. Not a huge issue, but annoying when you make a mistake. * Digital con: the rule book is in the game! But, it's not the full text of the rules. Not a huge issue, but it's nice to consult sometimes. THE GAME ITSELF ----------------------- Each faction has asymmetrical game-play mechanics, but feel very well balanced. The balance of power can be measured in terms of limitations. How many actions can a person take each turn? What limits them? If one faction can take more actions, it will have stronger consequences for either not taking all of them or for taking too many. Every turn, you'll find yourself thinking "oh man, should I do this or that? I wish I could do both!". To me, that's the mark of a well-balanced game. The expansions add more each time too. The first three add 2 new factions and some additional optional mechanic. You can try new factions out in the Tutorial screen before buying. That said, I've heard recommendations on purchase order for the average person: * Base game * Underground (expac #2) * Riverworks (#1) * Marauders (#3) * Hirelings & Clockwork at your discretion. Hirelings add more layers to the base game, and Clockwork is basically a customizable, semi-playable AI opponent. (You might think this is silly to make for a digital game, but A) it was first made for the physical board game, and B) I've heard it actually adds some interesting challenge and mechanics to even the AI opponents. It also adds co-op mode.) ----------------------- Anyway, I love this game. So stoked to play more of it! >>> Just to make sure you saw it: DLC FOLLOWS YOUR ACCOUNT ACROSS PLATFORMS! Google Play, Steam, etc. Just log in to your in-game Dire Wolf account. :)
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The board game is great and this digital implementation is great too. The only thing missing is the option to play with 5-6 players.
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I'd like to discuss the pros and cons of ROOT digital version compared to its board game. I have played both of them. PROS 1-The digital version includes a relatively complete guide, and you can practice with AI, which is friendly to newbies. This empowers you to quickly grasp the rules, which is important when you're teaching someone who is unfamiliar with the game. 2-In-game calculating does great job, including battles, control of clearings, win conditions, and more. 3-The undo action is more convenient in digital ROOT than in board games, making it especially user-friendly for Eyries. When playing as Eyrie, each move is clearly visible, allowing you to easily rearrange them according to your preferred order. 4-There's no need for setup in digital ROOT, and it costs less money overall. CONS 1-Some fascinating components are not available in the digital version, such as the landmarks pack and the hirelings initially introduced by the Marauder expansion (sigh), as well as the absence of three vagabonds. 2-There is generally less interaction in the digital version than in the board game. However, playing with voice chat can help compensate for this a little. 3-Occasionally there may be a black screen issue, especially when joining a non-live game or starting with a random faction. In conclusion, the digital version is a great way to inspire new players to enter the world of Root and allows friends to have fun online, even remotely. I hope you come to love Root and introduce it to your friends for a wonderful playtime.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Root is currently priced at 6.24€ on Steam.
Root is currently available at a 50% discount. You can purchase it for 6.24€ on Steam.
Root received 3,971 positive votes out of a total of 4,413 achieving a rating of 8.68.
😎
Root was developed and published by Dire Wolf.
Root is playable and fully supported on Windows.
Root is playable and fully supported on MacOS.
Root is not playable on Linux.
Root offers both single-player and multi-player modes.
Root offers both Co-op and PvP modes.
There are 6 DLCs available for Root. Explore additional content available for Root on Steam.
Root does not support mods via Steam Workshop.
Root does not support Steam Remote Play.
Root is enabled for Steam Family Sharing. This means you can share the game with authorized users from your Steam Library, allowing them to play it on their own accounts. For more details on how the feature works, you can read the original Steam Family Sharing announcement or visit the Steam Family Sharing user guide and FAQ page.
You can find solutions or submit a support ticket by visiting the Steam Support page for Root.
Data sources
The information presented on this page is sourced from reliable APIs to ensure accuracy and relevance. We utilize the Steam API to gather data on game details, including titles, descriptions, prices, and user reviews. This allows us to provide you with the most up-to-date information directly from the Steam platform.
Additionally, we incorporate data from the SteamSpy API, which offers insights into game sales and player statistics. This helps us present a comprehensive view of each game's popularity and performance within the gaming community.
Last Updates| Steam data | 08 September 2025 10:13 |
|---|---|
| SteamSpy data | 11 September 2025 07:50 |
| Steam price | 13 September 2025 12:50 |
| Steam reviews | 13 September 2025 09:59 |
If you'd like to dive deeper into the details about Root, we invite you to check out a few dedicated websites that offer extensive information and insights. These platforms provide valuable data, analysis, and user-generated reports to enhance your understanding of the game and its performance.
- SteamDB - A comprehensive database of everything on Steam about Root
- SteamCharts - Analysis of Root concurrent players on Steam
- ProtonDB - Crowdsourced reports on Linux and Steam Deck Root compatibility
Game modes
Multiplayer
Features
Online players
181
Developer
Dire Wolf
Publisher
Dire Wolf
Release
24 Sep 2020
Platforms
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