Set in the Shimane prefecture, Root Film is about a TV series, called "Shimane Mystery Drama Project”, which was cancelled for an unknown reason 10 years ago. To reboot the project, three teams consisting of a director and an actress have been cast, including 23 year old Rintaro Yagumo, the main character of the game.

Take on the role of 23-year-old Rintaro Yagumo as his excitement for an amazing casting opportunity is quickly curbed when a horrible murder interrupts their location scouting process. 

Follow him and a cast of unique and memorable characters by character designer Taro Minaboshi as they are drawn deeper into the thrilling mystery of Root Film.

With a cast of memorable characters illustrated by character designer Taro Minoboshi combined with the masterful storytelling of Kadokawa Games, here are 5 ways 'Root Film' is refreshing the visual novel genre with innovative new features, mechanics and storytelling techniques that separates it from the standard visual novel.

1. Hybrid of Two Genre

'Root Film' differs from a standard kinetic novel by fusing elements of both mystery themed visual novels with unique investigative and fighting-game-style mechanics to create an entirely unique experience for players.

Inspired to break the walls of the standard gameplay within the established visual novel genre, Kadokawa Games wanted players to draw from their personal intuition as well as pit them against rapid fire face-off mechanics as a central spoke of the games' investigation mechanics.

2. Intuition Mechanics

Intuition is a vital asset for any budding detective, especially on the case of a mysterious and inexplicable string of murders. 'Root Film's Intuition mechanic allows players to dissect and assess in-game conversations with other characters.

Once activated, Intuition helps the player identify phrases, objects or clues that are essential to investigations and confrontations. By logging these small pieces of the puzzle, suspects can be pressed upon to uncover clues or leads in the investigation.

3. Synesthesia Mechanic

During the course of the investigation, the protagonist will spot keywords that cannot be ignored - identifying suspicious words or phrases using the Intuition system can activate Synesthesia, memorising that moment!

These critical pieces of information indicate clues, inconsistencies or leads that can later be drawn upon in Max Mode interrogations and debates to unravel a suspicious alibi, press for more details or unlock more clues.

4. Max Mode

After collecting enough keywords, players are able to confront suspects in Max Mode, a fast paced, reaction-based interrogation tactic, to press on suspects and expose their lies. 

Blending mechanics from various genres, this fighting-game-style one on one showdown allows the player to lie in wait for the perfect moment to force a suspect to reveal his hand! Utilising essential evidence collected through Intuition and other unique features such as Synesthesia and challenges players to piece together the story in an intense, nerve-wracking debate!

5. Zapping?!

There are two sides to every story - experimenting with the 'zapping' mechanic allows the player to reveal the perspective of two characters at the same time. Experiencing events from two different viewpoints is an essential tool to discern truth from lies and find out the truth about "Shimane Mystery Drama Project”!

The gameplay of Root Film will be a mix of the masterful storytelling Kadokawa Games is known for, as well as a multitude of interactive elements, including:

• Intuition: The Intuition mechanic allows players to acquire keywords during conversations. Once activated, Intuition reveals words on screen that will be essential to investigations and confrontations.
• Max Mode: After collecting enough keywords, you can confront other characters in Max Mode to resolve a mystery. In this fighting-game like face-off, it is essential that enough evidence has been collected beforehand to choose the correct conversation options from a selection screen.
• Zapping: The Zapping system is a puzzle solving mechanic that reveals the perspective of two characters at the same time. Experiencing events from two different viewpoints will be an exciting and essential tool to find out the truth about "Shimane Mystery Drama Project”!

Root Film is coming to Nintendo Switch and PS4 on March 19, 2021.