New survival sandbox adventure called Rooted is being developed to plunge players into a sprawling post-apocalyptic open world. Crafted by independent studio Headligh, the project aims to deliver a grounded, hours-long experience where every choice matters for a small band of survivors trying to endure an unfolding catastrophe.
The accompanying gameplay trailer showcases Rooted in a variety of weather scenarios, emphasizing how the environment shapes strategy. Players will observe a robust crafting system, switch between third-person and first-person perspectives, and focus on constructing a functional shelter, gathering resources, and charting their path through a desolate landscape. The video hints at a survival loop centered on resource management, environmental hazards, and the constant tension of exploration.
The narrative arc unfolds in the decades ahead, after a devastating bacterial conflict has nearly erased humanity. The world foregrounds daily routines of scavenging for food, water, and shelter while facing the ever-present risk of dwindling supplies and harsh conditions. At the center of the story is a survivor who must navigate the risks, make critical decisions, and endure the unknown as the environment shifts around them.
Gamers will be able to experience Rooted solo or in cooperative play with friends, enabling shared shelter-building, resource pooling, and coordinated expeditions through treacherous zones. In the development plan, the creators intend to launch a crowdfunding initiative on Kickstarter to support ongoing development and broaden the game’s scope with community input and milestones.
Enemies are not limited to hostile human factions—predators and other dangerous wildlife will likewise challenge players, adding tension to every expedition and emphasizing stealth, positioning, and smart resource usage to survive in a world where danger lurks at every corner.
Rooted maintains a presence on Steam, where players can wishlist or follow updates as more information becomes available. While a precise release date has yet to be announced, the project remains active with ongoing development progress and player-centric updates. The broader context places Rooted within a growing category of modern survival titles that prioritize ecological realism, player choice, and emergent storytelling in a bleak, post-apocalyptic setting.
Essaing into the landscape, players adapt to weather, day-night cycles, and evolving terrain as they learn which landmarks, safe havens, and resource caches can sustain them longer. The core experience centers on resilience—building, exploring, and making tough calls that determine whether a character merely survives another day or gradually regains a sense of purpose amid the ruins.
As development continues, the team behind Rooted invites the community to participate, share feedback, and help shape features that matter most to players. The evolving vision for the game emphasizes player agency, cooperative dynamics, and a living world where choices echo across the environment and its inhabitants, creating a compelling, long-term survival experience in a world that refuses to stay quiet.
The project’s Steam presence and ongoing announcements signal a commitment to transparent communication, frequent updates, and a steady cadence of new content. The ultimate goal is to deliver a polished, immersive sandbox where improvisation, strategy, and collaboration converge to create memorable, hopeful moments even in a devastated setting.