Roots of Insanity

Roots of Insanity is an indie psychological horror game developed by Crania Games, set in a creepy hospital where players assume the role of Dr. Riley McClein, who suffers from epilepsy. The gameplay is primarily first-person, with brief third-person sections during firearm use. The game draws heavy inspiration from Outlast, featuring a camcorder mechanic with battery management and a tense atmosphere filled with dimly lit corridors, eerie sound effects, and jump scares. Combat is a significant part of the experience, involving melee weapons and limited gun use, though many players found it clunky and unbalanced. The story attempts to blend psychological horror with zombie survival but is often criticized for being confusing and underdeveloped, with some plot points feeling disjointed.

Despite its flaws, the game boasts solid graphics for an indie title, a gripping atmosphere, and active developer support with patches improving gameplay and fixing bugs. However, issues like broken achievements, occasional crashes, awkward controls, and repetitive gameplay limit its appeal. Overall, Roots of Insanity offers a short, atmospheric horror experience that may appeal to fans seeking a low-budget Outlast-like game with combat elements.

Highlights

Players praised the game's atmosphere, highlighting its creepy hospital setting, effective sound design, and immersive music that maintain tension throughout. The graphics were considered good for an indie game, with detailed environments and lighting effects that enhance the horror experience. The inclusion of combat mechanics, allowing players to fight back against zombies, was appreciated as a unique twist compared to typical stealth horror games. Voice acting and cutscenes, though limited, added to the storytelling. Additionally, the game's optimization and active developer engagement in addressing bugs and gameplay issues were noted positively.

Criticisms

Common criticisms focus on the clunky and unbalanced combat system, with awkward melee mechanics, inconsistent hitboxes, and unsatisfying gunplay that detract from enjoyment. The storyline was often described as confusing, disjointed, and lacking depth, with some plot elements poorly explained or predictable. Players reported broken achievements and occasional crashes, which hurt replay value. The game’s short length and repetitive objectives, such as fetch quests and key hunts, were also seen as drawbacks. Some found the jump scares ineffective or overused, and the lack of certain quality-of-life features, like crouch or better controls, limited immersion.