Head to head
Java or Root
To help you decide
Why you'd pick each one
Java
- Less well known, if you want something off the beaten track.
- Fills a long session, if you have the whole evening.
- Brings tile placement and layering, which the other one doesn't have.
- Works with younger players: 12+ against 14+.
Root
- Better rated on BoardGameGeek: 8.1 vs 7.0.
- Far more played: 66,038 ratings against 3,549.
- Plays in 75 minutes against 120.
- Brings hand management and multi-use cards, which the other one doesn't have.
The numbers, side by side
| Data point | Java | Root |
|---|---|---|
| BGG rating | 7.0 | 8.1 Better rated |
| Ratings | 3,549 | 66,038 |
| Players | 2–4 | 2–4 |
| Playing time | 120 min | 60–90 min |
| Complexity | 3.4 / 5 | 3.8 / 5 |
| Age | 12+ | 14+ |
| Year | 2000 | 2018 |
Only the rating gets a winner mark. A shorter or lighter game isn't a better one: it depends on what you're after.
Ratings and catalogue data are attributed to BoardGameGeek.