PROXIMATE

About

PROXIMATE is a single player action game. It was developed by Cain Maddox and was released on November 8, 2024. It received very positive reviews from players.

the optimist says it’s half human the pessimist says it’s half monster and the project manager says, “when can we ship it?” PROXIMATE is a dread-driven narrative game where you investigate a deep sea laboratory and piece together the events that lead to the research team’s demise. You'll be required to wear an image recognition visor that only tells you the bare minimum informati…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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94%

Audience ScoreBased on 720 reviews

story108 positive mentions

grinding4 negative mentions

The game features a unique gameplay mechanic where players navigate using a visor that provides limited information, creating a sense of tension and immersion.
The writing is engaging and relatable, with well-developed characters that evoke a range of emotions, from humor to heartbreak.
The atmosphere is effectively creepy, utilizing sound design and minimal visuals to enhance the horror experience.

Some players found the navigation frustrating, especially after the map is removed, leading to confusion and difficulty in progressing.
The story may feel rushed or underdeveloped for some, with certain plot points lacking depth or resolution.
The humor and tone may not resonate with everyone, as some found the dialogue to be cringeworthy or overly casual for a horror setting.

story
218 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
47%
3%
The game's story has received mixed reviews, with many praising its unique and engaging narrative that blends horror, humor, and emotional depth, often conveyed through environmental storytelling and text logs. While some players found the characters relatable and the plot compelling, others criticized it for being cliché, poorly executed, or losing focus midway through. Overall, the storytelling is seen as a highlight, particularly for those who appreciate narrative-driven experiences, despite some feeling it could have benefited from deeper world-building and character development.
- “I really love the storytelling in this and was so impressed by how much creep factor they managed with such limited information to work from.”
- “The story is poignant, the gameplay is unique & engaging, and the delivery is flawless.”
- “The execution of storytelling via text was superbly done: you trudge seemingly blindly through a strange territory and your surroundings gradually start to make sense as you piece together the narrative.”
- “The story doesn’t save it either since the premise is okay, but the writing is terrible.”
- “I do however feel that they had a very strong opening with the story and lost the plot halfway through.”
- “The story was too overly comedic for most of the time, and just didn't feel very satisfying or interesting.”
gameplay
149 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
52%
3%
The gameplay is characterized by a unique visor mechanic that enhances immersion and tension, though it can be clunky and frustrating at times. Players appreciate the innovative navigation and storytelling, which often intertwine humor and horror, but some find the gameplay repetitive and lacking in depth. Overall, while the mechanics are engaging and the game is short enough to prevent them from overstaying their welcome, there are mixed feelings about the execution and balance between gameplay and narrative.
- “The gameplay is fresh and captivating for how minimalist it is.”
- “The visor mechanic is just challenging enough to keep things interesting without spoiling the fun, and although some may find this frustrating, I think it works well: the horror in this game is found in the questions that go unanswered.”
- “The gameplay is by far its most unique feature, with the visor making navigating the world difficult and confusing in a really immersive way.”
- “The player is left with a glaringly obvious and clunky gameplay loop.”
- “Gameplay is about mashing yourself into as many walls as possible until it says 'door', walking to a thing that says 'connect', and then walking back to your pod so you can read the interesting dialogue.”
- “I was already very frustrated with the navigation and the confusing gameplay that lacked any 'horror' elements, but it got worse when I figured I couldn't finish the game due to a very amateurish bug.”
humor
102 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
3%
The humor in this game is a standout feature, with many players praising its sharp, relatable dialogue that balances well with the horror elements. While some found the frequent jokes to detract from the tension, others appreciated the clever integration of dark humor and emotional depth, creating a unique experience that oscillates between laughter and fear. Overall, the writing is noted for its wit and charm, making it both engaging and memorable.
- “The writing is sharp, funny, and precise as a scalpel (one coated with a drug that makes you laugh, I don't know if one even exists though, don't @ me).”
- “I fell in love with this game's truly pitch-black sense of humor, and with the intense discomfort it put me in when I wasn't laughing, and sometimes even when I was.”
- “The humor also acts as a Trojan horse for the emotional stuff, and it works like a charm.”
- “In this kind of game, the story should be everything, yet somehow all they could do is focus on a 'funny' gay romance (which isn't funny, in my opinion) and other useless but 'deep' logs.”
- “The humor falls flat and feels forced, making it hard to connect with the characters or the story.”
- “I expected clever jokes and witty dialogue, but instead, I was met with tired clichés and unoriginal gags.”
atmosphere
70 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
36%
4%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and gripping qualities, with many reviewers highlighting the effective sound design and storytelling that enhance the overall experience. While some found the humor to detract from the tension, the majority appreciated the game's ability to create a sense of dread and uncertainty, making it a standout in atmospheric horror. Overall, the combination of unique mechanics and a well-crafted environment contributes to a deeply engaging and emotional atmosphere.
- “Proximate is a short, sweet, and masterfully constructed game with incredible atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere is absolutely gripping.”
- “This game's atmosphere is incredible; the dev has a real talent for cultivating an immersive sense of place just from a few sound effects and onscreen text.”
- “Speaking of destroying the tension - I knew that the game had the 'funny' tag coming in, but the fact that the game keeps cracking jokes every five minutes really ruined the atmosphere and made it hard to take anything seriously.”
- “However, the tone feels mostly comedic and in general doesn't really build an effective horror atmosphere.”
- “I must also mention the sound design which in my opinion really sells the oppressive atmosphere of the experience.”
emotional
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its emotional depth, combining humor with heart-wrenching moments that resonate deeply with players. Reviewers highlight the strong character writing and nuanced storytelling, which evoke a range of feelings from laughter to tears, making it a memorable emotional experience. Despite some critiques on pacing and depth, the overall consensus is that the game effectively delivers a captivating and heartfelt narrative within its short playtime.
- “It has fantastic writing to back it, really strong character writing and some genuinely heartbreaking moments in there.”
- “Surprising amount of emotional beats that are conveyed with nuance and realism.”
- “The writing captured my imagination, and there were a few extra powerful lines in there that really made me feel some things.”
graphics
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
57%
14%
The graphics of the game are minimalistic, often described as lacking traditional visuals, yet they effectively enhance the immersive experience and atmosphere. Users appreciate the unique pixel art style and the game's ability to evoke horror through sound design and storytelling rather than visuals. Overall, the simplicity of the graphics is seen as a strength, allowing players to engage their imagination and focus on the narrative and audio elements.
- “In a time of over-produced and bloated games, what this is able to do with minimal graphics and controls is very impressive.”
- “The visuals are very simple but within the context of the game immerse you perfectly.”
- “The pixel aesthetic fits exactly what was needed.”
- “The quirky 'unsure if it's an art style or a technical issue' pixel rendering, lack of scaling options, and nearly unreadable font produce an interface somewhere between a holistic accessibility issue and an otherworldly regressive-futuristic look, pushing the game far out of 'horror game' territory for me, into an exploratory joyride.”
- “A grisly sci-fi horror short with implications as bleak and dark as its visuals.”
- “Deeply unsettling - the lack of visuals combined with audio cues, your own lack of trust in the visor's ability to identify things, and blind navigation make this game constantly tense and eerie over its relatively short run.”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players appreciate the unique format of the indie game but find the grinding aspect to be tedious, with some noting that it detracts from an otherwise compelling concept. Overall, while the game avoids excessive complexity, the grinding can still feel monotonous.
- “Apart from that, very tedious.”
- “A really compelling concept, held back by mediocre writing and tedious navigation.”
- “A little tedious though.”
music
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game is highly praised for its atmospheric quality and effective storytelling, enhancing the overall experience. Additionally, the credit song stands out as a highlight, leaving a lasting impression on players.
- “The atmosphere, music, and premise have been crafted extremely well, and the storytelling shines in combination with the unique mechanics this game brings to the table.”
- “The credit song is amazing.”