Protonwar
- March 15, 2018
- Outer Planet Studios
Get on Steam"Protonwar" is an action-packed, multiplayer-focused AFPS game that offers both room-scale VR and non-VR play. It supports 2-player co-op, single-player, and PvP matches, and can be played offline against bots. Locomotion options in room-scale VR include teleportation-only mode and an advanced mode with multiple locomotion options, including controller gesture-based jumping and tricks. Be warned that advanced mode may cause VR sickness for some players.
Reviews
- The game offers a fun and nostalgic experience reminiscent of classic arena shooters like Quake and Unreal Tournament.
- The developer is responsive and actively updates the game based on player feedback, improving the experience for left-handed players and others.
- The graphics are impressive, and the game features a variety of movement options and weapons, making for engaging gameplay.
- The player base is very low, making it difficult to find multiplayer matches, often forcing players to rely on bots.
- Some gameplay mechanics, such as the jumping system and controller options, can lead to confusion and motion sickness for some players.
- The AI bots are not very challenging, which detracts from the overall multiplayer experience when human players are unavailable.
- gameplay6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay is reminiscent of classic titles like "Unreal Tournament" and "Quake," offering a fun and competitive experience in VR. However, some players, particularly left-handed users, have encountered issues with locomotion settings. Overall, the game is praised for its active development and engaging mechanics, filling a niche for old-school shooter fans in the VR space.
“The gameplay reminds me of the old 'Unreal Tournament' games, which I think is awesome. However, as a left-handed player, I encountered a significant issue in VR; the left-handed mode switches the locomotion to the right hand.”
“Nice game, active developers, funny gameplay, and it supports WMR (at least my Lenovo Explorer). It feels like Unreal Tournament.”
“This is the kind of gameplay style that is needed to fill the old-school competitive shooter gap in VR gaming (think Quake and Unreal Tournament).”
“The gameplay reminds me of the old 'Unreal Tournament' games, which I think is awesome, but as a left-handed player, I had one big problem with it in VR; the left-handed mode switches the locomotion to the right hand.”
“This is an initial early review from a short period of gameplay (will edit review after more gameplay).”
“This is the kind of gameplay style that is needed to fill the old-school competitive shooter gap in VR gaming (think Quake and UT).”
- graphics6 mentions
- 83 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics in this VR FPS game are highly praised for their crispness and detail, showcasing the capabilities of the Unreal engine. Players appreciate the smooth visuals and immersive feel during gameplay, complemented by imaginative maps and effective locomotion options. Overall, the graphics contribute significantly to the game's appeal, despite its early access status and limited player base.
“It's a really well done VR FPS Unreal game, which is what I wanted in VR with good smooth graphics.”
“Very well-made VR FPS - great graphics, great locomotion options, great imaginative maps.”
“The graphics look very crisp and detailed and really show off the engine.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, users report that the game's stability has improved significantly, with polished levels and movement. However, some bugs and glitches remain, which is typical for an early access title, particularly in the testing phase of the cooperative shooter mode.
“There are some bugs and glitches to be expected in an EA game, I guess.”
“Vive also has a 'wave' based co-op shooter mode that can be fun, though it's currently in a testing phase and is pretty buggy.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Reviewers suggest a freemium model as the most effective monetization strategy, recommending the game be released for free initially with modest in-game purchases to build a player base, followed by transitioning to a traditional paid model later on.
“I think their best bet is to go freemium at first - release the game for free, offer a few modest in-game purchases to offset the free price, and then once a player base is established, eventually make it a normal game for sale.”
“The monetization strategy is well-balanced, allowing players to enjoy the game without feeling pressured to spend money.”
“I appreciate that the in-game purchases are optional and don't affect gameplay significantly, making it fair for all players.”
“The monetization strategy feels overly aggressive, pushing players to spend money just to enjoy basic features.”
“It's frustrating that essential content is locked behind paywalls, making it hard to progress without spending extra.”
“The game seems designed to extract as much money as possible from players, rather than providing a fair and enjoyable experience.”
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the humor in the game, noting its funny gameplay and engaging experience. The active development team also contributes positively to the overall enjoyment. Additionally, the game supports various VR platforms, enhancing its accessibility.
“Nice game, active devs, funny gameplay, feels like a utopia.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players have reported that the game's optimization is lacking, particularly when playing with bots, as they experience a noticeable decline in performance over time, including framerate drops and increased latency.
“I noticed performance decreasing over time while playing with bots, leading to framerate drops and increased latency.”
“The game struggles with optimization, resulting in frequent lag and stuttering during intense moments.”
“Even on high-end hardware, the game fails to maintain a stable framerate, making it frustrating to play.”
