Taking Root - Academic Version

Gameplay: https://youtu.be/gatuIGC1nck This is a lovely short puzzle game all about perspective, literally and figuratively. The puzzles are engaging and some require a little hunting, and the characters are adorable, it's about 15 minutes worth so give it a go.

I love this type of game- hand crafted and produced with love. It feels similar to some of Amanita's work, with the soundtrack also remeniscent of Floex. I loved it and will definately support their future work.

Taking Root is a lovely little puzzle game in which you help a rock and his companion overcome a series of challenges in their journey to find a new place to call home. The soundtrack and visuals are very atmospheric and even though you are meant to be escaping from a concrete jungle, the different locations look quite cozy at times. At the start, the game presents you with some visual clues, allowing you to piece together the backstory. The puzzles are not too difficult and the game itself is rather short. It is recommended to play the game with controllers but I had no issues playing with keyboard and mouse. Overall, if you have a bit of time to spare, like puzzle games and especially ones involving perspective, I definitely recommend you to try this little gem.

Taking Root - Academic Version is one of literally thousands of student projects infesting Steam. It's from University of Applied Sciences, Salzburg, in Germany. While student projects tend to be better quality than most "amateur" made games, we must still question what value such projects have for gamers. As with all student projects, this isn't really a fully fleshed out game, it's just the result of an academic exercise, and as such it has much more limited value as a game than a professionally developed game would have. Educational institutions should not be using Steam as a dumping ground for homework assignments (especially if the students didn't even pass the course). Sure, it helps their marketing and helps the students feel good about themselves, but this is another case of a business putting themselves before the needs of gamers. This is a somewhat mediocre and narrative heavy third person adventure game where you take on the role of a rock and his plant and try to "escape". In terms of visuals, this features fairly low quality low poly 3D visuals which will deter a lot of gamers, understandably. Gaming is a visual medium, and while some developers struggle with c…