Root Letter Preorders Opened for PS4 and Vita with Release Date Listed

In August 2016, Amazon opened preorders for the visual novel Root Letter, providing the first details on its North American release. The listings for both the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita versions showed a release date of October 28, 2016. Published by PQube, the game was presented as the first installment in a new series called the ‘Kadokawa Game Mystery’ collection.

The Mystery of a 15-Year-Old Letter

The story of Root Letter is built around a mystery that spans a decade and a half. The plot centers on the disappearance of Fumino Aya, the player character’s high school pen pal who went missing 15 years prior. The narrative is set into motion when the player receives her final letter, mailed long ago but only just delivered. This last piece of correspondence contains a shocking confession: Fumino Aya claims to have murdered someone.

This unsettling message compels the player to travel to Shimane prefecture, a region of Japan known for its rich history and natural landscapes, which serves as the game’s setting. The core objective is to uncover the truth behind her disappearance and the validity of her confession. The investigation forces the player to question everything they thought they knew about their pen pal, including whether she was telling the truth in her letters, or if she was even a real person at all.

Investigation Through Past and Present

Root Letter’s gameplay revolves around investigation and interrogation. To solve the mystery, players must reminisce by re-reading the collection of previous letters received from Fumino Aya. These letters contain the clues and context necessary to piece together the events leading up to her disappearance. The information gleaned from the letters must be used to guide the investigation in the present day.

The player’s journey takes them to various locations across Shimane prefecture. In these places, they must track down and interact with seven key witnesses who knew Fumino Aya in the past. By presenting evidence and asking the right questions, players gather testimonies that can either corroborate or contradict the story told in the letters. The process of cross-referencing old correspondence with new information is central to unraveling the mystery.

Production and Art Style

As the first entry in the ‘Kadokawa Game Mystery’ series, Root Letter was described as a visual novel with exceptionally high production values. The game’s distinct aesthetic is defined by the character artwork from Mina Taro. The presentation was further enhanced by the inclusion of voice work from a cast of popular Japanese voice actresses, aiming to provide an immersive and emotionally resonant experience for players. These elements positioned the title as an exciting addition to the visual novel genre for PlayStation owners.