I first purchased this game from a discount store some fifteen or more years ago. I only purchased it because it was so cheap (2 pounds, or about 3.50 USD). Little did I imagine I would be playing it in 2016 and still enjoying it. ROTH stands on its merits as an atmospheric, well-written story. The acting is cheesy yet somehow charming, like an eighties TV show for kids. The graphics are naturally dated but still good enough to set the feel for the game, though it's probably easier for me as a fan of retro games. Don't buy this if anything below 1080p quality irritates you. What makes the game playabale and replayable is the premise. The 'spooky, mysterious house' premise was hardly new, even when ROTH was first released, but it's done so well that it feels fresh for the player. The music is simple and unintrusive, allowing the player to focus on finding the items he needs. The mansion itself is well laid out and designed, being confusing enough to provide a challenge but not overdone to cause frustration. The flow of the story from a family mystery to something deeper is also well handled and the plot moves forward nicely. The combat mechanics are deliberately simple to avoid distraction from the main focus of ROTH - to provide an immersive mystery game. There are enough puzzles, events and twists to keep the player interested for a good while. In summary, this is a good game for anyone who wants to sample a classic game of the DOS era that was never fully appreciated. Be forgiving of the aged graphics and control system and let the fun follow.
