# Talk:Below the Root (video game)

The current Below the Root article claims that it featured the "largest game world of any adventure game" in 1984. This is a dubious claim and exceptionally hard to prove. Is Below the Root larger than Zork? How would you even compare them?
--24.218.166.38 (talk) 17:51, 17 October 2008 (UTC)

The only way to compare them would be in terms of the amount of data... which is somewhat misleading.  Zork, for instance, probably has more distinct "places" than this game has screens, but the overall amount of data in this game to describe the game world is probably larger.  But there's no real way to tell.  So I'm going to adjust that wording.  If anyone thinks it should be kept, we'll need a reliable source.  Mangojuicetalk 18:10, 17 October 2008 (UTC)

The article mentions a Dale Disharoon as having helped create the game; this entertaining article at Hardcore Gamining 101 (on the CDi Zelda games) credits Dale DeSharone. Mobygames has a two separate entries for these people, here and here, although reading between the lines I suspect that "Disharoon" is a mistake. Which is correct? -Ashley Pomeroy (talk) 14:25, 20 June 2009 (UTC)

Both are correct. He changed his name legally. He was Disharoon when he created the game, so that name should be used and (DeSharone) put in parens after it. --Bluejay Young (talk) 05:41, 21 July 2009 (UTC)
Apparently this is not just nonsense; he actually did change his name, according to the interview scanned here. "My wife didn't like the name Disharoon. She had lived in Israel for many years and wanted a different softer "sound". Something she felt was more poetic." Died in 2008. -Ashley Pomeroy (talk) 17:16, 22 October 2010 (UTC)

The current below the root article seems chock full of hyperbole. One example is the phrase:"The graphics were exquisitely colored, highly advanced for the time". The game was fun but certainly not more colorful than any other game of its era. The color palette used by the game was the same limited (perhaps 32 or 64, definitely not more than 256) colors as all other games of the early eighties.  —Preceding unsigned comment added by 65.96.181.64 (talk) 22:51, 17 July 2009 (UTC) 

I described the game as it has been described by its fans and players on discussion boards and elsewhere. Change it if you see fit. --Bluejay Young (talk) 05:43, 21 July 2009 (UTC)

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I've decided to be WP:BOLD and give the article a re-write. Time Extension has posted a really strong overview of the game and I couldn't pass on giving this very obscure gem a touch up. There was a lot of work put into it before that seeme dot be more specific lore based on the novels and maybe a bit purple in the prose. Please restore items that may have been removed hastily, but I think in general the article is in a better spot. Andrzejbanas (talk) 14:06, 14 August 2024 (UTC)

This review is transcluded from Talk:Below the Root (video game)/GA1. The edit link for this section can be used to add comments to the review.
Nominator: Andrzejbanas (talk · contribs) 04:57, 8 April 2025 (UTC)
Reviewer: DasallmächtigeJ (talk · contribs) 12:03, 12 May 2025 (UTC)

Looks promising, however, I will add my thoughts on each section over the week.
Biggest issue I’ve seen at first glance: the plot section. Apparently, there is a plot. Yet, the section does not give a summary, it merely states that the main character(s) are supposed to figure out a dream. Definitely needs a separate plot section that gives a detailed summary of what’s happening.

The game is very vague with its plot. You wander around, you meet people and they sort of say "go here". there aren't a lot of plot points other than you gain powers and traverse areas to get more hints to find the Raamo. Once you find Raamo, he just says "the prophecy is fufilled" and the that's basically it. Its that kind of game. Andrzejbanas (talk) 13:51, 12 May 2025 (UTC)
Ah I see, I was expecting it to have some sort of definitive ending. DasallmächtigeJ (talk) 15:36, 12 May 2025 (UTC)


### Lede
Looks good. Only issue I see is that there is no need to go into so much detail about the developer (that he was teacher, met the other guy etc.) as it is overly specific and is already covered in the development section.

Tightened it up a bit. Andrzejbanas (talk) 13:51, 12 May 2025 (UTC)


### Development
Looks good, very detailed. Some minor things might do with a little trimming, for example is it relevant that Groetzinger got a Bachelor of Arts from Ohio University in 1971?

Normally I'd agree if there were more details about the artist in question or if they had their own article. I think this information about when they graduated helps users read between the lines on this person. (things like their own years of experience working with design, their aim to do it professionally, and maybe even their generation so it can reflect on the development of the game (i.e: this wasn't some 18 designer fresh out of school Desharone found). I can cut this, but its up to you. 04:51, 14 May 2025 (UTC)


### Release
Also perfectly fine, except the section, "The game allows for open exploration with player letting the characters walk, run, jump, climb vines and ladders, enter and exit doorways, crawl and occasionally glide." Should be moved to gameplay.


### Reception and legacy
Fine as it is.


### Miscellaneous remarks
General thing I have noticed: the book series is referred to as Green Sky, the game world as Green-Sky. Is there a reason for this? Sticking to one variant and adding a note as to why might be an idea…
Probably not. Some characters names are slightly different too or other characters that are part of the novels are presumed, but never spoken about. I could add that the name is a variant, but I feel like this relatively trivial. Like, its not as if the name is pronounced differently and I did not really find any serious discussion comparing differences between the book series and game on topics like this. If you really like, I can add it, but personally, I do not think it will confuse any readers. Andrzejbanas (talk) 04:47, 14 May 2025 (UTC)
What I find somewhat confusing for the reader is that there are, for example in the lede, two different versions in the same paragraph. But ultimately, it’s your call, if you’re good with it, the article will pass. DasallmächtigeJ (talk) 06:32, 15 May 2025 (UTC)
Alright, since the article has no issues except some minor cosmetics, I'll pass it.--DasallmächtigeJ (talk) 16:45, 19 May 2025 (UTC)
Hi @DasallmächtigeJthank you for passing! I should still go after that edit you suggested because I do think it was a good point. Sorry, I kept saying "i'll do it a little later, i'll do it a little later!" I'll tackle it now. :) Andrzejbanas (talk) 10:08, 20 May 2025 (UTC)