Root Letter

File:Root Letter Max Mode screenshot.jpg

The game plays as an adventure visual novel.{{cite web |url=http://www.ricedigital.co.uk/root-letter-debut-trailer-visual-novel-mystery/ |title=Root Letter Debut Trailer - Visual Novel Mystery |work=Rice Digital |author=Kitsumeda |date=19 November 2015 |access-date=24 August 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817091628/http://www.ricedigital.co.uk/root-letter-debut-trailer-visual-novel-mystery/ |archive-date=17 August 2016}} In the game, the player must figure out what happened to the character of Aya, a girl who mysteriously vanished after receiving a particular letter. The gameplay is split into two distinct parts: the adventure part, where the player interrogates characters who knew Aya in order to find more information about her, and the simulation parts, where the player reads through past letters from Aya and selects - out-of-universe - their contents, thereby influencing the later portions of the game.{{cite web |url=http://gematsu.com/2015/11/root-letter-introduces-actress-aya-game-system |title=Root Letter introduces actress AYA, game system |work=Gematsu |author=Romano, Sal |date=16 November 2015 |access-date=24 August 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227013111/http://gematsu.com/2015/11/root-letter-introduces-actress-aya-game-system |archive-date=27 February 2017}}

Root Letter is set in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, where the protagonist arrives in search of Fumino Aya, a pen pal friend from high school who had disappeared for 15 years. After he finds a letter dedicated to him from her that was never sent, he sets out to interrogate her classmates as he wonders if everything Aya had told him had been a lie. The game contains multiple endings based on the player's choices throughout the game.

The game was announced in November 2015, for both the Japanese and international market.{{cite web |url=http://gematsu.com/2015/11/kadokawa-games-announces-root-letter-ps4-ps-vita |title=Kadokawa Games announces Root Letter for PS4, PS Vita |author=Romano, Sal |date=10 November 2015 |website=Gematsu |access-date=24 August 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170529063302/http://gematsu.com/2015/11/kadokawa-games-announces-root-letter-ps4-ps-vita |archive-date=29 May 2017}} It was introduced as the first title in a line of adventure video games by Kadokawa Games, the Kadokawa Game Mystery series.{{cite web |url=http://www.siliconera.com/2015/11/09/kadokawa-games-announces-mystery-adventure-game-root-letter-for-ps4-and-vita/ |title=Kadokawa Games Announces Mystery Adventure Game Root Letter For PS4 And Vita |author=Sato |date=9 November 2015 |website=Siliconera |publisher=Curse, Inc. |access-date=24 August 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160728031950/http://www.siliconera.com/2015/11/09/kadokawa-games-announces-mystery-adventure-game-root-letter-for-ps4-and-vita/ |archive-date=28 July 2016}} Each entry in the series is planned to contain the same "fictional actresses" playing different roles across different titles. Key staff from Konami's LovePlus series of dating sim games contributed to the game, including character designer Mino Taro, and producer Akari Uchida.{{cite web |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-11-17/root-letter-ps4-ps-vita-adventure-game-english-subtitled-aya-video-streamed/.95477 |title=Root Letter PS4/PS Vita Adventure Game's English-Subtitled Aya Video Streamed |date=17 November 2015 |website=Anime News Network |access-date=25 September 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160712123141/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-11-17/root-letter-ps4-ps-vita-adventure-game-english-subtitled-aya-video-streamed/.95477 |archive-date=12 July 2016}}

Root Letter was released for the PlayStation 4 and the PlayStation Vita by Kadokawa Games on 16 June 2016 in Japan,{{cite web |url=http://gematsu.com/2016/06/pqube-publish-root-letter-west |title=PQube to publish Root Letter in the west |author=Romano, Sal |date=13 June 2016 |website=Gematsu |access-date=24 August 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025184249/http://gematsu.com/2016/06/pqube-publish-root-letter-west |archive-date=25 October 2016}} and by PQube on 28 October 2016 in Europe and 1 November 2016 in North America.{{cite web |url=http://gematsu.com/2016/10/root-letter-launches-november-1-north-america-october-28-europe |title=Root Letter launches November 1 in North America, October 28 in Europe |author=Romano, Sal |date=4 October 2016 |website=Gematsu |access-date=24 August 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161110004733/http://gematsu.com/2016/10/root-letter-launches-november-1-north-america-october-28-europe |archive-date=10 November 2016}} It was also released for Microsoft Windows in Japan on 31 March 2017{{cite web |url=http://www.siliconera.com/2017/03/31/root-letter-available-pc-japan-might-get-steam-release/ |title=Root Letter Is Available For PC In Japan, Might Get A Steam Release In The West |author=Sato |date=31 March 2017 |website=Siliconera |publisher=Curse, Inc. |access-date=24 August 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401054945/http://www.siliconera.com/2017/03/31/root-letter-available-pc-japan-might-get-steam-release/ |archive-date=1 April 2017}} and internationally on 7 July 2017,{{cite web |url=http://gematsu.com/2017/07/root-letter-now-available-pc-via-steam |title=Root Letter now available for PC via Steam |author=Romano, Sal |date=7 July 2017 |website=Gematsu |access-date=24 August 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824151508/https://www.famitsu.com/news/201707/13137647.html |archive-date=24 August 2017}} and for Android and iOS in Japan on 25 August 2017.{{cite web |url=http://www.4gamer.net/games/392/G039222/20170824101/ |title=「√Letter ルートレター スマートフォンEDITION」が8月25日に配信開始。9月25日までは特別価格500円（税込）で購入可能 |language=Japanese |author=Chihiro |date=24 August 2017 |website=4Gamer.net |publisher=Aetas, Inc. |access-date=24 August 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824151508/http://www.4gamer.net/games/392/G039222/20170824101/ |archive-date=24 August 2017}}

A sequel, Root Film, was announced to be in development in 2018. It was later announced that the game would be released on July 30, 2020 in Japan,{{Cite web|url=https://www.siliconera.com/root-film-reels-back-release-date-to-july-30-2020-in-japan/|title = Root Film Reels Back Release Date to July 30, 2020 in Japan|date = 22 March 2020}} with a worldwide release date set for 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2020/09/root-film-launches-in-q1-2021-in-the-west|title=Root Film launches in Q1 2021 in the west|website=Gematsu|date=4 September 2020|access-date=September 4, 2020}} A live-action video project based on the original game is additionally planned to be produced by Perfect World Pictures.{{cite web |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-08-25/root-letter-mystery-visual-novel-gets-live-action-project-smartphone-version/.120534 |title=Root Letter Mystery Visual Novel Gets Live-Action Project, Smartphone Version |date=25 August 2017 |website=Anime News Network |access-date=25 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828213232/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-08-25/root-letter-mystery-visual-novel-gets-live-action-project-smartphone-version/.120534 |archive-date=28 August 2017 |url-status=live}}

In August 2018, a new version of the game, Root Letter: Last Answer was announced.{{cite web |url=http://www.siliconera.com/2018/08/03/new-projects-root-letter-last-answer-and-root-letter-2-announced/ |title=New Projects Root Letter: Last Answer And Root Letter 2 Announced |author=Sato |date=3 August 2018 |website=Siliconera |publisher=Curse, Inc. |access-date=3 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803203704/http://www.siliconera.com/2018/08/03/new-projects-root-letter-last-answer-and-root-letter-2-announced/ |archive-date=3 August 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all}} The game is a live-action remake that allows the player to either use the animated or live-action scenes/photos for the game's graphics.{{cite web |url=http://www.siliconera.com/2018/09/25/root-letter-last-answer-is-a-live-action-remake-for-ps4-ps-vita-and-switch/ |title=Root Letter: Last Answer Is A Live-Action Remake For PS4, PS Vita, And Switch - Siliconera |website=www.siliconera.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928023413/http://www.siliconera.com/2018/09/25/root-letter-last-answer-is-a-live-action-remake-for-ps4-ps-vita-and-switch |archive-date=2018-09-28}} It includes new scenarios that take place after the game's various endings.{{cite web |url=http://www.siliconera.com/2018/09/28/root-letter-last-answers-first-trailer-shows-off-its-live-action-characters/ |title=Root Letter: Last Answer's First Trailer Shows Off Its Live-Action Characters - Siliconera |website=www.siliconera.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001213201/http://www.siliconera.com/2018/09/28/root-letter-last-answers-first-trailer-shows-off-its-live-action-characters |archive-date=2018-10-01}} {{Cite web|url=https://gematsu.com/2018/09/root-letter-last-answer-first-details-screenshots|title = Root Letter: Last Answer first details, screenshots|date = 28 September 2018}} It was released in Japan on December 20 for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita and Nintendo Switch,{{cite web|url=https://gematsu.com/2018/09/root-letter-last-answer-launches-for-ps4-switch-and-ps-vita-on-december-20-in-japan|title=Root Letter: Last Answer launches for PS4, Switch, and PS Vita on December 20 in Japan [Update]|website=Gematsu|date=26 September 2018|access-date=August 5, 2019}} while it was released in other parts of the world on September 2, 2019 without having a Vita release.{{Cite web|url=https://www.player.one/root-letter-last-answer-coming-2019-switch-and-ps4-125852|title = Root Letter: Last Answer Coming to Switch and PS4 This Year|date = 2 May 2019}}

{{Video game reviews

| MC = (Vita) 78/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/root-letter/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-vita |title=Root Letter for PlayStation Vita Reviews |work=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=23 November 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161124122233/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-vita/root-letter |archive-date=24 November 2016}}
(PS4) 68/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/root-letter/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4 |title=Root Letter for PlayStation 4 Reviews |work=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=23 November 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119203828/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-4/root-letter |archive-date=19 November 2016}}

}}

Root Letter received "generally favorable" reviews for PlayStation Vita, and "mixed or average" reviews for PlayStation 4, according to the review aggregator Metacritic.

During its opening week in Japan, 8,907 copies were sold, of which 4,855 were of the PlayStation Vita version, and 4,052 of the PlayStation 4 version. The two versions were, respectively, the eleventh and fourteenth best selling games of that week in Japan.{{cite web |url=http://gematsu.com/2016/06/media-create-sales-61316-61916 |title=Media Create Sales: 6/13/16 – 6/19/16 |author=Romano, Sal |date=22 June 2016 |work=Gematsu |access-date=22 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160622134755/http://gematsu.com/2016/06/media-create-sales-61316-61916 |archive-date=22 June 2016 |url-status=live}} Despite the game not appearing on the weekly Media Create charts again in Japan, worldwide sales passed 200,000 copies sold by January 2017, making it a commercial success.{{cite web |url=http://gematsu.com/2017/01/root-letter-worldwide-sales-top-200000 |title=Root Letter worldwide sales top 200,000 |author=Romano, Sal |date=31 January 2017 |work=Gematsu |access-date=31 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131155235/http://gematsu.com/2017/01/root-letter-worldwide-sales-top-200000 |archive-date=31 January 2017 |url-status=live}} By July 2017, another 100,000 copies had been sold, bringing total worldwide sales to 300,000,{{cite magazine |url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/201707/13137647.html |title=『√Letter ルートレター』全世界累計販売本数が30万本を突破――PlayStation Storeのサマーセール2017でいまならPS4版が最大68%OFF |language=Japanese |date=13 July 2017 |magazine=Famitsu |publisher=Enterbrain |access-date=24 August 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824151508/https://www.famitsu.com/news/201707/13137647.html |archive-date=24 August 2017}} and by February 2018 it had passed 400,000 copies sold.{{cite web |url=https://gematsu.com/2018/02/root-letter-worldwide-sales-top-400000 |title=Root Letter worldwide sales top 400,000 |author=Romano, Sal |date=26 February 2018 |website=Gematsu |access-date=26 February 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180226210400/https://gematsu.com/2018/02/root-letter-worldwide-sales-top-400000 |archive-date=26 February 2018}} As of April 2022, the total number of series shipments and digital sales had surpassed 500,000 units.{{Cite web |date=2022-04-20 |title=Root Letter series shipments and digital sales top 500,000 |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2022/04/root-letter-series-shipments-and-digital-sales-top-500000 |access-date=2022-07-22 |website=Gematsu |language=en-US}}

Geraint Evans, the head of marketing of PQube, called their Root Letter sales "phenomenal", with the vast majority sold on the PlayStation Vita.{{cite web |url=http://www.kotaku.co.uk/2017/02/10/britsoft-focus-pqube |title=Britsoft Focus: PQube |author=Stanton, Rich |date=10 February 2017 |website=Kotaku |publisher=Gizmodo Media Group |access-date=12 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170212111758/http://www.kotaku.co.uk/2017/02/10/britsoft-focus-pqube |archive-date=12 February 2017 |url-status=live}}

A sequel, Root Film, was released in Japan in 2020, and in North America in March 2021. The game is not a direct sequel, but a thematic one.

An American feature film adaptation of the game was announced in November 2018 by Los Angeles-based film production company Akatsuki Entertainment.{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2018/11/26/root-letter-is-getting-a-hollywood-live-action-adaptation/|title=Root Letter Is Getting A Hollywood Live-Action Adaptation - Siliconera|work=Silconera|last=Wong|first=Alistair|date=November 26, 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126200332/http://www.siliconera.com/2018/11/26/root-letter-is-getting-a-hollywood-live-action-adaptation/|archive-date=November 26, 2018}} {{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-11-24/root-letter-game-gets-hollywood-film-adaptation/.139902|title=Root Letter Game Gets Hollywood Film Adaptation|work=Anime News Network|last=Hodgkins|first=Crystalyn|date=November 24, 2018|access-date=August 2, 2022}} The film, produced and financed by Akatsuki Entertainment, is directed by Sonja O'Hara, written by David Ebeltoft, produced by Annmarie Sairrino, Moeko Suzuki, and Kat McPhee, and starring Danny Ramirez, Keana Marie, and Lydia Hearst, began shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana on September 16, 2019. In June 2021, the film's rights were transferred from Akatsuki Inc. to producer Annmarie Sairrino's AMMO Entertainment and Moeko Suzuki's Ammo Inc. production companies.{{Cite web|url=https://aktsk-jp-production.appspot.com/en/press/44590/|title=Akatsuki Inc. Turns Movie Projects over to AMMO and AMMO Entertainment|date=June 7, 2021|access-date=August 2, 2022}} The film was subsequently acquired for release in the United States by distributor Entertainment Squad, which also provides foreign sales and offered the film rights at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival. The film was released on September 1, 2022, and is envisioned as a gritty re-imagining of the game's core story of a protagonist in search of a former pen pal who disappears under mysterious circumstances. The trailer for the film was released on August 3, 2022.{{cite web|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/anime/trailers/1233242-exclusive-root-letter-trailer-shows-danny-ramirez-in-video-game-film-adaptation|title=Exclusive Root Letter Trailer Shows Danny Ramirez in Video Game Film Adaptation|work=ComingSoon.net|last=Legacy|first=Spencer|date=August 3, 2022|access-date=August 3, 2022}}

{{reflist|30em}}

• {{official site|http://www.r-letter.com/}} {{in lang|ja}}
• {{official site|https://pqube.co.uk/root-letter-last-answer/}} {{in lang|en}}
• {{vndb|18644}}
• {{IMDb title|9347732}}

Category:2016 video games

Category:Adventure games

Category:Android (operating system) games

Category:High school-themed video games

Category:IOS games

Category:Kadokawa Corporation franchises

Category:Mystery video games

Category:PlayStation 4 games

Category:PlayStation Vita games

Category:PQube games

Category:Single-player video games

Category:Video games developed in Japan

Category:Video games featuring female protagonists

Category:Video games set in Japan

Category:Visual novels

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