The Protagonist: EX-1
- March 2, 2021
- 3Mind Games
Get on SteamThe Protagonist features an extensive branching narrative and turn-based tactical combat - each choice the player makes affects the course of the game. It stars a Special Operative with the Terran military force code named: Angel. Her current mission is to infiltrate an alien space station of the invading KL-T but all doesn't go as planned. She awakens in the infirmary of the space station she’s t…
Reviews
- Engaging story with well-developed characters that keeps players invested.
- Variety of weapons and crafting options enhance gameplay and strategy.
- Smooth gameplay and good graphics for an indie title, with a haunting soundtrack that adds to the atmosphere.
- Clunky mechanics and bugs detract from the overall experience, making it feel unpolished.
- Poorly explained systems and lack of quality of life features, such as key rebinding and save options.
- Weak character writing and aesthetics lead to a lack of player attachment to the game's cast.
- graphics8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the smooth gameplay and clean, minimalist aesthetic that suits the atmosphere, while others criticize the dated visuals and lack of graphics options. Overall, the visuals are considered adequate for an indie title, though some players find character designs and animations unappealing.
“The graphics are pretty good, smooth gameplay, and the story kept me engaged.”
“The graphics are good for an indie title and the gameplay is smooth and responsive.”
“The graphics are simple but effective, with a clean, minimalist aesthetic that perfectly fits the game's atmosphere.”
“The visuals and animations feel dated and lack the polish expected from modern games.”
“There are no graphics options available, such as V-Sync, which limits customization for players.”
“I could overlook the unappealing character aesthetics and animations, but I can't overlook the general unpleasantness in the writing for everyone involved.”
- story8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally praised for being engaging and well-developed, with characters that enhance the overall experience. However, some users feel that the writing is lacking and overly reliant on profanity, which detracts from the narrative. Overall, the story successfully immerses players in a world of mystery and intrigue, making it a highlight for many.
“The story is engaging and the characters are well-developed.”
“The game immerses you in a world of mystery and intrigue; the game's story is intriguing and keeps you guessing until the end.”
“In short, I recommend 'The Protagonist: Ex1' to anyone looking for a challenging and engaging puzzle game with a well-written story.”
“Lacking story and writing, with a reliance on profanity.”
“I came for the tactical combat, I was looking forward to a bit of fanservice, but I expected stupid systems and a half-baked story.”
- gameplay7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 29 % negative mentions
Overall, the gameplay is characterized by smooth mechanics and engaging elements that encourage experimentation with different builds. However, it suffers from clunky execution and a lack of narrative depth, which detracts from the overall experience. While the graphics are commendable for an indie title, the gameplay ultimately falls short of being fully polished and cohesive.
“The graphics are pretty good, smooth gameplay, and the story kept me engaged.”
“The graphics are good for an indie title and the gameplay is smooth and responsive.”
“The mechanics are different enough to feel fresh and interesting enough to make me want to play with different builds.”
“And while the gameplay has all of the right foundations, it's clunky enough in execution that it can't quite get me over the hurdle of the weak writing for the characters I'm taking from room to room.”
“Then you get to the first gameplay elements and it goes down, down, down.”
- music3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its haunting soundtrack, which significantly enhances the eerie atmosphere and overall experience. Reviewers describe the sound design as noteworthy and commend the quality of the music.
“The music is awesome.”
“The sound design is also noteworthy, with a haunting soundtrack that adds to the game's eerie atmosphere.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability has been criticized for being clunky and buggy, with a lack of polish evident in its performance. Additionally, users have noted issues with the save system, including a buggy user interface and the absence of quicksave options.
“Clunky, buggy, and lacks polish.”
“No quicksaves and a buggy save UI.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is enhanced by its simple yet effective graphics, featuring a clean, minimalist aesthetic. Additionally, the haunting soundtrack contributes significantly to the eerie ambiance, creating an immersive experience for players.
“The graphics are simple but effective, with a clean, minimalist aesthetic that perfectly fits the game's atmosphere.”
“The sound design is also noteworthy, with a haunting soundtrack that adds to the game's eerie atmosphere.”
