Future Proof

About

Future Proof is a single player role playing game with a mystery theme. It was developed by Silhouette Valley Games and was released on May 17, 2018. It received very positive reviews from players.

"Future Proof" is a 2D puzzle adventure game where you play as Sean, a teenage boy with the ability to go back in time when he dies. Trapped in a time loop due to an approaching meteorite, Sean must save the town of Greensvale or escape it with the help of other stragglers. The game features challenging logic-based puzzles, a non-linear exploration of the town, and a mysterious story with secrets to uncover.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

90%

Audience ScoreBased on 61 reviews

story5 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The game features clever and varied puzzles that provide a satisfying challenge, making it enjoyable for puzzle enthusiasts.
It has a unique premise with a time-loop mechanic that allows players to explore different endings and secrets, enhancing replayability.
The art style and humor contribute to a charming atmosphere, making the game feel nostalgic and engaging.

The game suffers from slow pacing, particularly during dialogue sequences, which can lead to player frustration and disengagement.
Controls and graphics have been criticized for being clunky and outdated, detracting from the overall experience.
Some puzzles are overly obscure, requiring external guides to solve, which can diminish the sense of accomplishment for players.

story
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
58%
16%
The story of the game revolves around a child named Sean, who has just 12 minutes to save his town from an impending meteorite strike, blending cute graphics with a surprisingly mature and dark narrative. Players encounter a mix of intriguing puzzles and multiple endings, some of which require external knowledge to fully understand the plot's complexities. Overall, the game is praised for its engaging storytelling, humor, and unique adventure elements, making it a hidden gem worth exploring.
- “It's a story about a kid named Sean, whose town is about to be destroyed by a meteorite in 12 minutes.”
- “The short of it: a bit of a love letter to classics like Earthbound, Future Proof is a unique adventure/mystery story about a doomed town, soon to be struck by a meteor.”
- “Some endings require external knowledge or some luck (or Steam guide), but overall a quick fun game with some challenges and a bizarre story.”
- “Only one major plot point is covered by in-game explanations.”
- “I thought it was intriguing how this game looks like a happy little pixel adventure from the outside before you get to know it, but the truth is it’s quite mature in its story and conflicts.”
graphics
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
58%
21%
The graphics of the game are a mixed bag, with some players appreciating the cute and simple pixel art style reminiscent of the 16-bit era, while others criticize it as outdated and poorly executed. Despite the aesthetic appeal for some, there are complaints about the overall quality, with references to "godawful retro pixel graphics" and a lack of artistic effort. Overall, the visuals evoke nostalgia for classic gaming but may not meet the expectations of all players.
- “A nice game with interesting puzzles, lots of discoveries, crazy-cool story, stylish humor, cute graphics, great sounds and much fun!”
- “I really liked the graphics of the game as they are simple enough but have their own aesthetics and also a lot of stuff can be seen if you just look correctly.”
- “The graphics are reminiscent of the 16-bit era, and would fit in well with other games from the mid-nineties.”
- “A little tough, if you don't have the patience, especially with the meh graphics. I would say hold out until you reach a wall, then just go through with a guide to enjoy the endings as a decently written show.”
- “The game will reset after those 12 minutes, a bit like Groundhog Day, only badly made and with godawful retro pixel graphics, because hiring artists is apparently something crappy indie devs refuse to do.”
- “Ugly retro 2D pixel graphics.”
humor
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its clever and whimsical humor, featuring a mix of funny pop culture references and darkly comedic scenarios, particularly through the protagonist Sean's internal monologue. Players appreciate the variety of humorous endings and the inventive ways Sean meets his demise, which adds a unique charm to the gameplay experience. Overall, the humor is a standout aspect that enhances the game's intrigue and enjoyment.
- “The game has great humor too and it pays attention to details, like when everything gets darker as your time runs out.”
- “This game is clever, creepy, funny, and doesn't hold your hand.”
- “The internal monologue of Sean is one of the strongest points of the game as he manages to be both intentionally and unintentionally funny even while being under the threat of death by meteorite.”
gameplay
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
50%
30%
The gameplay is praised for its unique concept, utilizing a time-loop mechanic reminiscent of "Groundhog Day" to solve mysteries and puzzles, which are generally well-designed and supported by helpful journal hints. While the graphics are basic, they complement the thoughtfully crafted gameplay, offering substantial content and replayability with multiple endings, making it a worthwhile experience for its price.
- “The concept is unusual and creates quite unique gameplay.”
- “It's a lot like the game Kindergarten, in which you utilize a Groundhog Day repeating-day mechanic to make incremental progress in resolving a series of mysteries and adventure-style inventory puzzles.”
- “Its 12-minute time-loop is used more as a way to collect information in multiple loops than as a game mechanic.”
- “The puzzles are generally good and the hints of journaled thoughts are an actually useful mechanic compared to the journals I've experienced in other games.”
- “Awesome little old school game, heaps of gameplay and not as easy as you might think!”
replayability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
80%
20%
The game boasts strong replayability, featuring numerous possible endings—up to 14—encouraging players to revisit it for a fresh experience. Reviewers highlight its charm and value, making it a worthwhile investment for those seeking varied gameplay.
- “Tons of possible endings, lots of replay value.”
- “This game has pretty good replayability with 14 possible endings to unlock.”
- “To conclude, this game is well worth the asking price; it's pretty charming and has lots of replayability.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
33%
The game's atmosphere is notably influenced by a "Donnie Darko" vibe, creating an unexpected and intriguing ambiance that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate this unique tonal quality, which adds depth to the game's presentation.
- “There's a special 'Donnie Darko' atmosphere that resonates from this game, something I would not have expected from this little piece of code.”
- “The game immerses you in a hauntingly beautiful world that feels alive and filled with mystery.”
- “Every sound and visual element contributes to an atmosphere that is both eerie and captivating, drawing you deeper into the experience.”
- “And in addition to that, there's this special 'Donnie Darko' atmosphere that resonates from this game... something I would not have expected from this little piece of code.”
music
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
100%
The music in the game is noted for its unique humor, but some players feel it lacks impact, with a desire for the ending track to play earlier to enhance the experience. Overall, the soundtrack is considered somewhat underwhelming.
- “Each track brings its own unique humor and musical flair.”
- “I wish the ending music kicked in earlier.”
- “Each track has its own unique humor and style, but overall, the music feels a bit lackluster.”
- “I wish the ending music kicked in earlier to enhance the overall experience.”
- “The music is a bit underwhelming, leaving much to be desired.”