If I could only play 1 game this holiday season, it would be this gem

With the holidays on the horizon and game releases slowing down, it's time to play catch-up. There's something special about clearing the backlog of titles you missed earlier in the year, especially those you picked up at a deep discount. There are several different games that I recommend playing during the holiday season, from GOTY-nominated Clair Obscur For endless addiction force x beatBut if I only had time to play one game this holiday season, it would be this one The roots are dead.

I imagine what many of you are thinking The roots are dead is If you know the game, you can help me spread the word about this gem of a game. For those who have played the rootsI've included some additional recommendations at the bottom of the post. These are games I've been obsessed with at various times throughout the year that aren't obvious choices, eg Hollow Knight or ARC Raiders.

What is dead root?

The roots are dead is a mystery, puzzle-solving game where you're piecing together a family tree. After the death of the last remaining members of the Roottree family, your goal is to use various pieces of media to find out who belongs within the immediate and extended family. At first, it seems like you're just trying to put names to faces, but eventually, bigger mysteries begin to present themselves. As the game progresses, you learn that the Roottree family empire is on shaky ground.

The Roottrees is a dead steam trailer screenshot newspaper

The game requires a fair amount of thought, but the game is great about providing helpful clues along the way. There's also a hint system that will nudge you in the direction of the clue first before spelling it out for you.

Why Roottrees Are Dead is a great holiday catch-up game

I should clarify that The roots are dead It's a perfect holiday game, not because it's the best game I've played in 2025, but because it has everything. It provides a great communal experience if you're visiting family for the holidays or have your live-in family members around while you're gaming. It's a great game that you can jump in for a few minutes, make some progress, and then do a family activity or prepare a nice meal. and finally, The roots are dead Meaty enough that it will keep you busy for a long time, especially if you want to complete the “full story”.

I loved to play The roots are dead With my wife because it gave us an opportunity to relax at the end of the day with a game that wasn't mechanically demanding. She could read the various clues and make suggestions, and I could do all the menu navigation. You rarely get the chance to play games together when your partner isn't interested in games, however The roots are dead Fits the bill perfectly.

I could see it too The roots are dead A great game to play with a group. I think the more people who put their heads together to solve the mystery, the better. I wouldn't say the game is hard, but sometimes the clues don't present themselves as clues at first. “Hey, I think it's something.” You need someone else with a different perspective to tell you.

I can't say enough good things The roots are deadBoth because it was a fun experience that I got to experience with my partner, and because it's a unique game that works a little differently than most titles out there. If you're looking for something to sink your teeth into this holiday, I highly recommend it The roots are dead.

Other game recommendations for the holiday season

Who already knows how great The roots are dead Yes, or maybe even if the game doesn't vibe with you, there are a few other titles that I think are special and would be great to jump into this vacation.

Absolute: There have been a lot of great roguelites this year, and Absolum puts a really fun beat-em-up twist on the sub genre.
Gigasword: A Metroidvania throwback to the retro gaming era that plays with the idea of carrying a large sword that can't easily be wielded.
time flies: How many tasks you can accomplish in the incredibly short life span of a simple fly.
Shotgun Police Man: A funny platformer that is fast paced and uses the speed of weapons to pass levels and eliminate baddies.
Wanderstop: Attention to your place in the world where you can make tea for strangers.

Boro and Alta are sitting next to each other at Wanderstop

I've had a great time with many of the big, triple-A releases from 2025, and many of them will make my top 10 list for the year, but I always like to find a game that's a little different. Gaming can explore many themes through different lenses, and experiences can be familiar or brand new. The roots are dead Very similar to the puzzle/mystery games that have come before, but it packages those ideas in a new way. I hope you give it a try this holiday season and if you like it, pass it on to someone else.