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…
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Engaging story with well-developed characters and a variety of weapons and crafting options.
- Smooth gameplay and good graphics for an indie title, enhancing the overall experience.
- Fun combat mechanics and leveling skills that appeal to fans of turn-based tactics RPGs.
- Clunky and buggy gameplay with slow menus, poor key configuration options, and lack of polish.
- Dated visuals and animations, along with a reliance on poorly explained systems and minimal voice acting.
- Weak writing and unlikable characters detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.
- graphics16 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the clean, minimalist aesthetic that suits the game's atmosphere, while others criticize the dated visuals and lack of customization options. Overall, the graphics are considered good for an indie title, but there are notable concerns regarding character aesthetics and animations.
“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, lacking the polish expected in modern games.”
“There are no graphics options available, such as V-Sync, which limits customization and performance.”
“I could overlook the unappealing character aesthetics and animations, but I can't overlook the general unpleasantness in the writing for everyone involved.”
- story16 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally praised for being engaging and well-developed, immersing players in a world of mystery and intrigue. However, some users criticize it for lacking depth and relying on profanity, suggesting a mixed reception regarding the writing quality. Overall, many recommend the game for its compelling narrative alongside its gameplay elements.
“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, reliance on profanity.”
“I came for the tactical combat, I was looking forward to a bit of fanservice, I expected stupid systems and a harebrained, half-baked story.”
“Lacking story and writing, reliance on profanity.”
- gameplay14 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
Overall, the gameplay is characterized by smooth and responsive mechanics that feel fresh and engaging, particularly with the variety of builds available. However, it suffers from execution issues and a lack of narrative depth, which detracts from the overall experience and prevents it from reaching its full potential. While the graphics are commendable for an indie title, the gameplay's clunkiness and weak character writing hinder its overall enjoyment.
“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.”
“The graphics are pretty good, smooth gameplay, and the story kept me engaged.”
“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.”
“Then the 'set puberty to 200%' waifu robotically sits up and mechanically stalks across the room while you get to admire the 'but mom!'”
- music6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its haunting soundtrack, which significantly enhances the eerie atmosphere. Reviewers consistently highlight the sound design as a standout feature, contributing to the overall immersive experience.
“The sound design is also noteworthy, with a haunting soundtrack that adds to the game's eerie atmosphere.”
“The music is awesome.”
- stability4 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. Users have also noted issues with the save system, including a buggy user interface and the absence of quicksave options.
“Clunky, buggy, lacks polish.”
“No quicksaves, buggy save UI.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a clean, minimalist aesthetic that complements its eerie tone, enhanced by effective sound design and a haunting soundtrack. Overall, the combination of simple yet impactful graphics and immersive audio creates a compelling and unsettling environment.
“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.”
