The Protagonist

About

The Protagonist is a single player action game with a horror theme. It was developed by beforeyouknow Games and was released on October 30, 2025. It received very positive reviews from players.

The Protagonist is a narrative-driven psychological horror game set 635 years after the sun died. You play as Varon, a man searching the underground ruins of humanity for his missing daughter.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

93%

Audience ScoreBased on 14 reviews

story4 positive mentions

The game features an immersive atmosphere with breathtaking visuals and a unique soundtrack that enhances the emotional experience.
The Protagonist offers a thrilling and creepy experience with well-designed jumpscares and a captivating storyline.
Players appreciate the game's ability to evoke strong emotions and create a sense of tension, making it a standout in the horror genre.

Some players found the story to be a bit convoluted, which may detract from the overall experience.
A few reviews mentioned that certain puzzles could be more challenging, indicating a desire for increased difficulty.
The game is relatively short, which may leave some players wanting more content.

story
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
29%
14%
The game's story is praised for its immersive atmosphere, engaging and thought-provoking narrative, and strong sound design, creating a creepy and captivating experience. While some find the plot a bit convoluted, the overall writing and dialogue enhance the storytelling, making exploration feel meaningful. Players are encouraged to watch a related short film beforehand to better grasp the story's nuances.
- “Great atmosphere, and a very captivating storyline.”
- “The story (although a little convoluted) was very fun and gave you lots to think about!”
- “The atmosphere is super creepy and the story is good too; it actually made me nervous to walk around.”
- “I recommend watching the short film on YouTube first and then playing the game — it makes way more sense that way and helps you understand the story more easily.”
atmosphere
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
71%
29%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its captivating and immersive qualities, enhanced by phenomenal music and sound design. Reviewers highlight its creepy ambiance and moody visuals, which create a sense of tension and exploration rather than relying on jump scares. Overall, the atmosphere is described as breathtaking and integral to the storytelling experience.
- “The atmosphere and music were phenomenal!”
- “The atmosphere is super creepy and the story is good too; it actually made me nervous to walk around.”
- “This game is all about atmosphere and sound design, which is why it hits so hard despite the whole thing being pretty short.”
- “It’s more about atmosphere and exploration than jump scares, with moody visuals and a subtle story that pulled me along.”
music
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
83%
17%
The music in the game is widely praised for its uniqueness and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, with many reviewers highlighting the extraordinary soundtrack and its perfect fit with the game's pacing. The thrilling ambiance and breathtaking audio contribute significantly to the immersive experience, making the music a standout feature.
- “The audio, sounds, and music were unique and refreshing.”
- “The atmosphere and music were phenomenal!”
- “The soundtrack fits perfectly, and the pacing kept me curious the whole way.”
graphics
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The graphics are praised for their thrilling ambiance and moody visuals, creating a unique "benadryl nightmare" aesthetic that enhances the overall experience. The focus is on atmosphere and exploration rather than jump scares, contributing to a captivating and immersive storytelling environment.
- “Thrilling ambiance, good graphics, and an extraordinary soundtrack.”
- “It’s more about atmosphere and exploration than jump scares, with moody visuals and a subtle story that pulled me along.”
- “The visuals are that classic Benadryl nightmare aesthetic, which just makes the whole experience feel like my dreams after one week of university.”
- “The visuals are that classic Benadryl nightmare aesthetic, which just makes the whole experience feel like my dreams after one week of university.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the game to be a deeply emotional experience, with many expressing that it resonated with them on a personal level and left a significant impact.
- “Well, it's an emotional experience.”
- “Overall, it was really awesome and honestly hit me pretty hard emotionally.”