Proteus

Exceptionally imaginative and deeply mysterious, Proteus isn't for everyone, but explorers and those looking for a change of pace will fall in love.

74%Game Brain Score

music, graphics

story, stability

76% User Score Based on 2,249 reviews

Critic Score 70%Based on 4 reviews

Platforms

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About

Proteus is a single player open world simulation game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by Twisted Tree and was released on January 30, 2013. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

Proteus is a peaceful exploration game where players wander through a changing island, creating an abstract soundtrack based on their actions. The game features an immersive musical experience, with the environment and player's actions generating the game's soundtrack. Proteus invites players to discover and interact with a beautiful, ever-evolving world filled with music and surprises.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

76%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,249 reviews

music157 positive mentions

story28 negative mentions

Unique and calming experience that blends exploration with dynamic music.
Beautiful pixel art and soothing sound design create an immersive atmosphere.
Offers a meditative escape, perfect for relaxation and reflection.

Lacks traditional gameplay elements, making it feel more like an interactive art piece than a game.
Short playtime of around 30-60 minutes may leave players wanting more.
High price point for minimal content, leading to concerns about value for money.

music
555 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
69%
3%
The music in Proteus is a standout feature, described as soothing, dynamic, and procedurally generated, changing in response to the player's movements and interactions with the environment. Many reviewers highlight its ambient quality, likening it to a living soundtrack that enhances the dreamlike exploration of the game's colorful, pixelated world. While some find the music captivating and immersive, others criticize it for being repetitive or discordant, suggesting that the overall experience may not appeal to everyone.
- “A procedurally generated island of soft colors, gentle music, and fleeting moments that feel more like dreams than objectives.”
- “The dynamic music is so beautiful & subtle in the way it changes, really well done.”
- “The music builds and changes as the environment shifts and randomised island features are encountered.”
- “There's obnoxious high-pitched music that kinda started to hurt my ears; when I was just starting to feel some kind of vibe, the 'level' was over and it was time to move on.”
- “The music is discordant, and you will train your ear to try and spot musical puzzles which are not there.”
- “The music and the voxel-ly art style are striking, but the soundtrack is just annoying.”
graphics
287 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
64%
5%
The graphics of "Proteus" are characterized by a minimalist, retro aesthetic reminiscent of 8-bit and pixel art styles, which some players find charming and evocative, while others consider them simplistic and lifeless. The visuals, though not technically advanced, effectively create a serene and immersive atmosphere that complements the game's ambient sound design. Overall, the graphics serve more as a canvas for exploration and emotional experience rather than traditional gameplay, appealing primarily to those who appreciate artistic expression over high-fidelity visuals.
- “Proteus is a beautiful, emotionally rewarding game with wonderful graphics and beautiful music; any discussion of its status as a 'game' is an academic one at best, a distraction at worst.”
- “The graphics are simplistic, but there is a strength in their simplicity.”
- “The graphics and sound are all perfectly simplistic and work oh so well in tandem.”
- “The graphics are extremely minimal, but the color palette is spectacular.”
- “Exploration gets dull quickly, and the graphics are bad to the point of wondering if I'd somehow accidentally plugged in an Atari 2600 instead of a PC.”
- “The graphics are atari 2600 level of shit and the soundtrack is just annoying.”
gameplay
158 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
83%
6%
The gameplay of Proteus is characterized by its minimalistic approach, primarily revolving around exploration and observation rather than traditional mechanics or objectives. Players engage in a calming experience of wandering through a visually stunning, procedurally generated world, but many reviewers note the lack of depth and interactivity, leading to a perception of it as more of an interactive art piece than a conventional game. While some appreciate the meditative quality of the gameplay, others criticize it for being shallow and lacking substantial content, making it unsuitable for those seeking stimulating gameplay.
- “I find the calming gameplay of Proteus somewhat makes up for the price; simply wandering around is always a nice way to spend a bored night when I'm trying to relax.”
- “The simple game mechanics, controls, and elements allow you to be immersed in a variety of eye-popping experiences.”
- “Being an exploration game, it gives you very simple mechanics that allow you to just focus on soaking in the visual and auditory details the game provides.”
- “Perhaps predictably, Proteus has built up a reputation as an 'artsy' or pretentious game, one which has no gameplay and therefore can bore many people.”
- “Yes, there's really nothing to offer in terms of actual gameplay, but it's still an experience of its own.”
- “The gameplay is just about nonexistent, and yet you feel compelled to explore and to see what may be just over there.”
story
120 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
69%
23%
The game's story is largely absent, with many reviewers noting that it lacks a clear narrative, objectives, or character development, making it feel more like an artistic exploration than a traditional game. While some appreciate the minimalist approach and the emotional resonance of the changing seasons, others find it boring and devoid of meaningful content. Overall, it is described as a walking simulator that invites players to create their own interpretations rather than providing a structured story.
- “Very cool experience that I would definitely recommend to people who really like visual and audio-based storytelling.”
- “The world of Proteus is full of small mysteries to see, and even though there is 'an end' to it, there's no real form to its story other than the one you make in your head.”
- “I went into this with zero expectations, got sucked in by a series of peculiar and unexpected events, and eventually found myself having been conveyed through quite a positive and relaxing overall experience depicting a story about chronometry and seasons, provided by minimalist interpolation-free aesthetics in a rather pleasing and mystical way.”
- “There's no challenge, no overt goal, no secret to uncover, nor story to hear.”
- “It's a walking simulator with no story; you just walk around a randomly generated island and advance the seasons from spring to winter.”
- “No story, no background, no explanations: it's a minimalist piece of art for those willing to spend a few minutes to see what's over there and what's that strange thing doing there.”
atmosphere
90 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
62%
35%
3%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and calming qualities, with many players noting the unique blend of minimalist graphics, soothing audio design, and dynamic environmental changes that evoke a dreamlike experience. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to create a relaxing space for exploration, where the beauty of nature and seasonal shifts enhance the overall ambiance. While some find the experience brief and lacking in content, those who appreciate atmospheric games often regard it as a memorable and enchanting journey.
- “The atmosphere is wonderful and unique; it has stuck with me as a personal favorite long after I first finished it.”
- “The atmosphere feels unique, almost dreamlike.”
- “The art style, sound design, and overall atmosphere come together perfectly to create an amazingly immersive game that will make you wish it lasted longer.”
- “I understand this is supposed to be an experience/atmosphere sort of game... but it still needed more stuff going on.”
- “The simple, somewhat abstract graphics and minimalist soundscape created a surreal atmosphere that used my imagination and curiosity to draw me into the experience.”
- “It gives you an atmosphere that might not suit everyone and for me I don't find anything in it.”
emotional
43 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised, with players reporting profound feelings ranging from relaxation and joy to deep melancholy and introspection. Many describe it as a unique experience that evokes strong emotional responses, often leaving them in awe or even in tears. The game's ability to create a calming yet thought-provoking atmosphere is highlighted, making it a memorable journey that resonates long after playing.
- “Proteus is a beautiful, emotionally rewarding game with wonderful graphics and beautiful music; any discussion of its status as a 'game' is an academic one at best, a distraction at worst.”
- “Somehow still one of the most emotionally impactful games I have ever played.”
- “A truly amazing and emotional experience; turn the sound up and play it in a quiet moment and be transported to an alien land.”
replayability
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
70%
13%
Overall, the consensus on replayability for the game is quite low, with many reviewers noting that once the experience is completed, there is little incentive to return. While some mention the potential for replayability due to randomly generated elements and the atmospheric appeal, most agree that the lack of objectives and meaningful interactions significantly diminishes the game's replay value. Overall ratings for replayability range from 0 to 8 out of 10, but many suggest it is primarily a one-time experience.
- “I would say it's replayable for more than a couple of runs if you really like the atmosphere and want to spend more time in the world of the game.”
- “Proteus is a fairly short, but highly replayable game.”
- “Its audio and visuals interact very neatly with each other, and the random island creator adds some replayability.”
- “Not very replayable - once you've experienced it, there's nothing else to go back for unless you just want to experience it again.”
- “However, replayability is rather low since there is no objective and no interactions.”
- “After only about 7 minutes of gameplay, you'll have seen most of what the game has to offer, which makes it lack both replayability and actual gameplay; you just walk around, admiring the admittedly gorgeous music and scenery, but don't do anything other than that.”
humor
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is described as subtle and tied to the whimsical elements of the environment, such as colorful visuals and amusing animal sounds. However, some players feel that the humor is overshadowed by the game's shortcomings, leading to a mixed reception regarding its comedic value. Overall, while the game offers moments of lightheartedness, it may not fully deliver on humor for all players.
- “But then a funny thing happened, as I began to explore the island and interact with its wildlife and landscape, I became swept away in it.”
- “If you like the concept of intrigue and immersion while walking around a funny little island, then get this game.”
- “An adult only sees a simple explorer game with some funny colors and animals and sounds.”
stability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
83%
The game's stability is marked by a mix of vibrant graphics and noticeable bugs, with users reporting various glitches that, while present, do not significantly detract from the overall experience. Some players have noted that the procedurally generated nature of the game can lead to additional bugs, but it still runs well on lower-end devices. However, the controls have been criticized for being particularly problematic.
- “It even runs great on my Windows 8 tablet (2GB RAM, Intel Atom 1.6GHz).”
- “The game also suffers from some weird bugs and glitches that the developer seemed to have overlooked, but they don't hinder the game at all.”
- “Since it's a procedurally generated world, at least in my experience, it can potentially be rather buggy.”
- “Number one; this is an intensely buggy game.”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The optimization of the game has received largely negative feedback, with users reporting severe performance issues, particularly on lower-end systems, which detracts significantly from the overall experience. While some acknowledge that the game has potential, its high system requirements and sluggish performance are seen as major drawbacks.
- “The optimization is frankly outrageous.”
- “It barely works, and the inexplicably terrible performance completely ruins any mood.”
- “While the soundtrack is okay, it's not like the game is any sort of technical achievement given the high system requirements and seemingly sluggish performance for a game that is supposed to feel retro.”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, often exacerbated by sluggish movement and poor camera design. While some games can be overcome with grinding and external resources, this particular game lacks a clear endpoint, making the grinding feel even more pointless.
- “The sluggish movement and bad camera design make this game tedious and frustrating.”
- “Most games are easily beatable with a lot of grinding and the help of a Google search, a wiki, or a friend, but the thing about Proteus is you don't 'beat' it.”
- “Pretty tedious.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization strategy of the game is perceived as exploitative, with many reviewers feeling it resembles a cash grab rather than a genuine gaming experience. The presence of constant in-game advertisements and repetitive gameplay further detracts from its value, leading players to recommend only purchasing it during significant discounts.
- “All of that makes the game feel, despite the decently high production values, like a simple cash grab and a game to not touch outside of a highly discounted bundle or sale.”
- “Feels more like a cash grab than an experience.”
- “The constant in-game advertising of 'laser bud light' and 'cyber dodge ram' gets kind of old.”