Prodeus
- September 23, 2022
- Bounding Box Software Inc.
- 5h median play time
Prodeus is an unashamedly loud and brash FPS that manages to put a true modern twist on the retro shooter.
Get on Steam
Get on PS Store"Prodeus" is a horror-themed shooter game with great gameplay and graphics, a sensational soundtrack, and plenty of humor. It features a hand-crafted campaign, co-op and multiplayer modes, a level editor, and a community map browser. The game combines modern rendering techniques with retro aesthetics for a unique visual experience, and offers fast-paced, non-stop action against the Prodeans and forces of Chaos. Overall, it's a highly emotional and fantastic game with great replayability.
Mac OS
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Windows
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- Prodeus is a fantastic homage to classic first-person shooters like DOOM and Quake, blending retro aesthetics with modern gameplay mechanics.
- The game features phenomenal weaponry, satisfying gunplay, and impressive level design that keeps players engaged throughout the campaign.
- The inclusion of a level editor and community-driven content adds significant replay value, allowing players to create and explore custom maps.
- The checkpoint system is poorly designed, allowing players to respawn without any consequences, which diminishes the challenge and tension of the gameplay.
- Enemy variety is limited, with many enemies feeling like reskins of classic DOOM foes, leading to repetitive encounters as the game progresses.
- The campaign feels short and ends abruptly, leaving players wanting more content and a more satisfying conclusion.
- music646 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its high quality, with many reviewers highlighting the intense, metal-infused soundtrack composed by Andrew Hulshult, which complements the fast-paced gameplay and enhances the overall atmosphere. While some players appreciate the option to switch to MIDI tracks, others note that certain tracks can feel repetitive or generic. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal and immersion.
“The music and sound design are another high point, with a thumping, metal-infused soundtrack that perfectly complements the intense gameplay.”
“The soundtrack kicks ass, tracks are dynamic and will swell during intense moments in gameplay for a truly pulse-pounding experience.”
“The music is phenomenal with the timing of it having been improved.”
“The music was a bit of a disappointment; it feels a bit like when mom says that we still have the Doom 2016 OST at home.”
“The music is well made if a bit trite at this point, aping Mick Gordon's sound to almost plagiaristic degrees.”
“The only problem I have with the game is the music.”
- graphics637 mentions
- 49 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics of Prodeus have received widespread acclaim for their unique blend of retro and modern aesthetics, effectively combining pixelated visuals reminiscent of classic shooters with contemporary rendering techniques. Players appreciate the game's vibrant art style, detailed sprite work, and the ability to switch between graphical styles, which enhances the nostalgic experience while maintaining high visual fidelity. Overall, the visuals are described as stunning, with many reviewers highlighting the game's impressive level design and the satisfying gunplay that complements its aesthetic appeal.
“It masterfully blends the old-school charm of pixelated graphics and fast-paced, brutal combat with modern visuals and fluid gameplay mechanics, creating a unique experience for both nostalgic gamers and new players alike.”
“The maps are meticulously designed, blending old-school aesthetics with contemporary graphical fidelity, creating a visually stunning yet nostalgically familiar environment.”
“The graphics are an absolutely gorgeous blend of 90's boomer shooter games with enhanced animations, gore, effects, etc. The weapons are fun to use with diverse alt-fires.”
“The graphics are neat but the aggressively stylized low-fi gets a bit dreary quickly.”
“In fact, it is a very dark (in a bad way: can't see a thing) game with repetitive music, very badly pixelated graphics (I'm not against doom-style games, but it isn't one, it is artificially pixelated to the point that everything looks not old-school, but just bad), repetitive ambient music, no crouching and worst of all - no quick saves!”
“I have a bunch of smallish issues with the game, but the worst thing for me is the graphics, particularly the astounding amount of visual clutter for a retro shooter.”
- gameplay543 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Prodeus is a fast-paced and engaging blend of classic boomer shooter mechanics reminiscent of Doom and Quake, enhanced with modern visuals and fluid controls. Players appreciate the satisfying gunplay, diverse weaponry, and intricate level design, although some criticize the respawn mechanics and the lack of challenge due to the forgiving nature of death penalties. Overall, while the game captures the nostalgic essence of retro shooters, it also faces scrutiny for certain design choices that may detract from the overall experience.
“It masterfully blends the old-school charm of pixelated graphics and fast-paced, brutal combat with modern visuals and fluid gameplay mechanics, creating a unique experience for both nostalgic gamers and new players alike.”
“The gameplay is exhilarating, the cooperative and multiplayer modes are engaging, and the level editor opens up limitless possibilities for creativity.”
“The gameplay is fast-paced and intense, reminiscent of the golden era of shooters like Doom and Quake.”
“The re-spawn mechanic is honestly terrible.”
“One mechanic is just inexcusable - there's no checkpoints, but 'nexus points'.”
“The enemies feel too spongy, and playing the game just feels like a slog after the first 30 minutes to 1 hour of gameplay where all the magic wears off.”
- story183 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 77 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The game's story is widely criticized for being minimal and often non-existent, with many players noting that it lacks a coherent narrative or engaging lore. While some appreciate the fast-paced gameplay and focus on action over storytelling, others express disappointment at the sparse plot details and the absence of character development. Overall, the consensus is that while the game excels in gameplay mechanics, it falls short in delivering a compelling story.
“This game offers a rich co-op story mode, exhilarating multiplayer options, and an incredibly versatile level editor, making it a must-play for both nostalgic gamers and new enthusiasts alike.”
“The co-op story mode is a standout feature, allowing you to team up with friends and tackle the campaign together.”
“The story has potential, but is almost optional; there is scant lore there should you care for it, but if you're just here to commit war crimes against an endless roster of demons, go nuts.”
“There's absolutely no lore/plot/storyline.”
“The only real downside is the lack of a story.”
“The story is non-existent, which is a pity, because even though it looks like a Doom/Quake derivative, it tries (gameplay-wise anyway) to do its own thing.”
- atmosphere62 mentions
- 61 % positive mentions
- 34 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in Prodeus is widely praised for its unique blend of retro and modern elements, creating a dark, gritty, and immersive experience reminiscent of classic shooters like Doom and Quake. Players appreciate the game's striking visuals, atmospheric soundtrack, and engaging level design, which together evoke a sense of cosmic horror and nostalgia. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as compelling and distinctive, enhancing the fast-paced, gore-filled gameplay.
“Prodeus has scratched the itch I've been feeling for the older style of Doom while also having a style and atmosphere all its own.”
“The blend of pixelated textures, modern lighting, and particle effects give the game a unique and compelling atmosphere.”
“The soundtrack is amazing, dark, intense, and atmospheric; it's dynamic during gameplay and changes based on the amount of action going on.”
“It takes away from the dark and brooding atmosphere every time it loads.”
“It seemingly makes no effort at narrative or atmosphere; feels a bit like a simple shooting gallery.”
“The music sets the atmosphere very well but doesn't punctuate the action quite like that in something like Doom Eternal and there's a distinct lack of audio cues from the player character, which can make it easy to lose track of when you're getting wrecked.”
- replayability45 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
Prodeus boasts exceptional replayability, driven by a robust community and extensive user-generated content, including a level editor that allows for infinite custom maps and challenges. Players can engage in multiple playthroughs to unlock secrets, compete on leaderboards, and explore various difficulty levels, ensuring a fresh experience each time. Overall, the game's design and features create a highly replayable environment that keeps players returning for more.
“The active community and the constant influx of user-generated content ensure that Prodeus remains fresh and replayable.”
“Endless replayability with community-made content available to download right inside the game.”
“The level editor/workshop only boosts the replay value of this game.”
“Overall, I do believe it is a great experience and well worth the price. It took me roughly 8 to 9 hours to beat the main campaign, and it has plenty of custom maps you can download and play, as well as having replayability in the form of collectibles.”
“Early access campaign took me about 2-3 hours to get through, but there's a lot of replayability here to master the levels, and there are community maps that are a decent challenge.”
“I've yet to dabble with the level editor myself, but a game having the capability to upload maps within itself so that users can download it is fantastic, as this just leads to the game having much more longevity and replayability.”
- optimization31 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
Overall, "Prodeus" is praised for its impressive optimization, running smoothly on a variety of systems, including older hardware, with many users reporting no significant performance issues or crashes. While some minor glitches and performance hiccups have been noted, particularly on higher-end PCs and Apple Silicon, the game is generally considered well-optimized, offering a solid experience with customizable performance options. Users appreciate the balance between retro aesthetics and modern performance, though some desire further optimization for visual clarity during intense gameplay.
“One of the most impressive aspects of Prodeus is its balance between retro aesthetics and modern performance.”
“Absolutely no performance issues or crashes on my 5-year-old machine.”
“Also, I would like to give major props to the developers for taking the Unity engine and making not only one of the best games I've played on it, but it's incredibly well optimized, doesn't have any noticeable performance issues and it runs flawlessly.”
“Only minor gripes include slight performance issues even on a higher-end PC, and less challenging difficulty before harder modes (can be adjusted).”
“The game doesn't seem to be too demanding and it doesn't even have ragdolls, so it feels kind of redundant in terms of improving performance.”
“There are some minor rendering performance glitches.”
- grinding21 mentions
- 10 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 90 % negative mentions
Players consistently find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, with enemy encounters lacking variety and often leading to frustrating backtracking due to a poor checkpoint system. The reliance on a limited arsenal and the need for item hunting further contribute to a sense of monotony, making the gameplay feel unrewarding, especially for completionists. Overall, the grinding experience detracts from the enjoyment, turning what could be a fast-paced game into a frustrating chore.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“No way to play this game that's both challenging and not tedious.”
“The other main reason is that it's too repetitive; enemy encounters and arenas are unsurprising and tedious.”
“One other complaint I have (not as big as the other one) is that it's kind of tedious to cycle through your arsenal because of how many weapons you have.”
“However, on higher difficulties, it turns what was a fun, run-and-gun game into a very tedious, incredibly annoying, progress reset on death, stop-and-wait gameplay loop that is just not fun.”
- stability16 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 69 % negative mentions
The game's stability is generally positive, with many users reporting a polished experience and minimal bugs. However, some players on Mac experience significant issues, such as freezing during mouse movement and occasional rendering glitches. Overall, while there are minor performance hiccups, the game is well-received for its aesthetic and gameplay.
“The game also looks and runs great.”
“Runs great on Apple Silicon too (although frame rate is for some reason limited to 60).”
“Game also runs great on my older rig.”
“Any steady mouse movement either stutters the game or completely freezes the game until I stop moving the mouse.”
“No amount of troubleshooting fixes this.”
“The game sometimes freezes to a black screen when loading levels.”
- humor12 mentions
- 92 % positive mentions
- -17 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as a blend of hilarious and gory elements, with players appreciating the absurdity of its combat and art style, which combines retro aesthetics with modern flair. Many find the over-the-top gore amusing, and the game's lighthearted approach to gameplay, including community-created maps, adds to its charm. Overall, while some reviewers note it may not reach the heights of similar titles, it remains a fun and entertaining experience.
“I like that this gory Doom clone uses a Super Mario-esque world map; it's just really funny to me.”
“This art style is an insane combo of hilarious, freaky, beautiful, and retro in a way that perfectly bridges the gap from the classics to the modern titles.”
“The weapons are all fun, punchy, diverse, and as entertaining to fire as the videos suggest (and the accompanying gore is hilariously over-the-top).”
“The humor in this game falls flat and feels forced.”
“I expected a lot of laughs, but the jokes are stale and unoriginal.”
“The attempts at humor are cringeworthy and detract from the overall experience.”
- monetization11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- -18 % neutral mentions
- 91 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is generally viewed positively, as it utilizes an in-game currency system for purchasing weapons and abilities without resorting to microtransactions. However, some players express concerns about the shop's design and the integration of modern mechanics like ads and reloading, which contrast with the game's retro aesthetic. Overall, while the game blends classic and modern elements, its monetization approach is seen as a step away from typical cash grab practices.
“I have only two complaints here, the first being the shop, where you spend your collected in-game currency (at least it's not microtransactions, thank god), to purchase weapons and abilities.”
“The monetization model is fair and allows players to enjoy the game without feeling pressured to spend real money.”
“I appreciate that the game offers plenty of opportunities to earn in-game currency through gameplay, making purchases feel rewarding.”
“I have only two complaints here, the first being the shop, where you spend your collected in-game currency (at least it's not microtransactions, thank god), to purchase weapons and abilities; the second being the aforementioned 'nexus points'.”
“On the one side, it's a boomer shooter of yore, on the other it has stuff like a sprint button (but thankfully you can enable auto-sprint), ads and a shop you buy weapons and items from (with currency you pick up along the way, usually from finding secrets), all of which are modern shooter things mostly.”
“Some people complain about reloading.. and ads.”
- emotional11 mentions
- 91 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game resonates strongly with players, evoking nostalgia and a sense of youthful excitement reminiscent of classic titles like Doom and Quake. Many reviewers appreciate the heartfelt effort behind the game, describing it as a love letter to long-time fans that successfully captures the thrill and intensity of the genre without being bogged down by a convoluted story. Overall, it elicits feelings of joy and empowerment, making players feel like kids again as they engage in fast-paced, gory action.
“Tldr: easiest way to explain this is that it's a genuinely heartfelt love letter to Doom fans both old and new.”
“As some others have said, it made me feel like a kid again.”
“I'm 36 years old and this game made me feel like I was a kid again back in the 90's when I first played Doom and Quake.”
- character development1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development in the reviewed games varies significantly, with "Hands of Necromancy" attempting to simplify its narrative structure, "Vomitorium" offering a unique visual style that complements its gameplay, and "Hedon" excelling in world-building and character design, creating a memorable experience.
“Hands of Necromancy tried a stab at Hexen's format and made it less confusing. Vomitorium's visuals are utterly disgusting (in a good way) and a solid Metroidvania. Hedon was able to stand out with its world-building, story, and very interesting character design.”
