ProtoDungeon: Episode I

About

ProtoDungeon: Episode I is a single player action adventure game. It was developed by Studio Spacefarer and was released on March 31, 2025. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

ProtoDungeon: Episode I is a short, top-down exploration adventure game set in a mysterious abandoned castle. Explore, solve puzzles, and find your way out! You appear in front of a castle, trapped in an unknown realm. Make your way through the castle in front of you to the familiar chapel, which you shudder at even though you can't remember why. Seek the fragments of the chapel seal to unlock it…

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Single-Player

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100%

Audience ScoreBased on 12 reviews

atmosphere3 positive mentions

The game features a charming retro aesthetic reminiscent of Game Boy Color Zelda titles, with engaging puzzles that utilize a unique block-swap mechanic.
Despite its short length, the game offers a well-designed atmosphere and intriguing narrative, leaving players eager for future installments.
It runs smoothly on platforms like Steam Deck, enhancing the overall experience for players.

The game is quite short, with completion times ranging from 20 to 60 minutes, which may leave some players wanting more content.
There are several bugs present, including instances of getting stuck in walls and softlocks that require restarting the game.
The limited gameplay mechanics may feel restrictive to some players, as it primarily revolves around a single puzzle mechanic.

gameplay
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
34%
33%
The gameplay is characterized by a well-executed single mechanic—swapping positions with objects—that leads to engaging and layered puzzles within compact rooms. Despite its short length, the game effectively builds intrigue and exploration reminiscent of classic Zelda dungeons, offering a fun and thought-provoking experience. Players appreciate the charming vibe and the depth of puzzles that emerge as the mechanic evolves.
- “The game has a proper build-up gameplay-wise despite its shortness; you're led to explore your surroundings and make yourself familiar with things as you go.”
- “I enjoyed its commitment to deeply exploring a single puzzle mechanic, and the way its compact rooms often contained multiple layers of puzzles that reveal themselves as the mechanic develops.”
- “Due to its very short length (I completed it in 20 minutes), there is only a single mechanic - swap, but it's very well implemented and makes for some nice puzzles.”
- “The gameplay is solid and definitely gets you thinking about the best way to interact with the space.”
- “Bite-sized Zelda dungeon featuring some charming puzzles where the central mechanic is swapping your position with other objects.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The atmosphere of "Protodungeon: Episode I" is characterized by a mysterious and eerie vibe, reminiscent of Game Boy Color titles, which enhances the overall experience. The game's polished graphics and engaging puzzles allow players to fully immerse themselves in its retro aesthetic while enjoying the challenge.
- “This first episode, while short, is still just the right amount of challenge to let you take in the atmosphere and enjoy the style.”
- “There is a mysterious atmosphere to the whole thing, and graphically it's very faithful to Game Boy Color games.”
- “A polished and atmospheric little puzzle dungeon in the style of Game Boy Color Zelda titles.”
graphics
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming old-school aesthetic reminiscent of Game Boy Color titles, particularly drawing inspiration from early Zelda games. The art style and animations effectively create a mysterious atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience of the nonlinear puzzle dungeon crawler.
- “There is a mysterious atmosphere to the whole thing, and graphically it's very faithful to Game Boy Color games.”
- “The art style and animation definitely draw from the Game Boy Zelda games as an inspiration.”
- “Pretty Game Boy Color art style with music that hearkens back to early retro Zelda games.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
67%
The game is generally stable, running well on platforms like the Steam Deck, but users report encountering several bugs that affect the overall experience.
- “Also runs great on Steam Deck!”
- “The game maintains a steady frame rate, even during intense action sequences.”
- “I haven't experienced any crashes or bugs, which makes for a smooth gaming experience.”
- “Short and sweet, but quite buggy.”
- “It is buggy though.”
music
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The music in the game is reminiscent of early retro Zelda titles, complementing its charming Game Boy Color art style and enhancing the nostalgic experience.
- “The game features a charming Game Boy Color art style, complemented by music that evokes the nostalgia of early retro Zelda games.”
- “The soundtrack perfectly captures the essence of classic gaming, making every moment feel like a delightful throwback.”
- “The music is not only catchy but also enhances the overall atmosphere, immersing players in a beautifully crafted world.”
- “The music feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “While the visuals are charming, the soundtrack doesn't match the game's atmosphere.”
- “The sound effects are jarring and detract from the overall experience.”

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