I really was hesitant about Proteus, as I've a...less than stellar opinion with many "art" games. Particularly those in the vein of Dear Esther and The Path. The "look and listen, but never interact. See things that don't really mean anything" sort. The graphical style, another "8-bit" game left me worried as well. Yet another pretentious faux throwback?

Well, as much as one could call Proteus that, it ends up on an entirely new level of beautiful. The music your journey creates is remarkable, and the pixels really do fall away into something greater.

After some time wandering around, not quite getting it, I happened upon an animal. It made some sounds, it reacted to me. I laughed a little, and looked for more. More flowers. More creatures. More trees. More things.

As I started to understand what was happening, I began to appreciate it and really get into it - and then the game threw little surprises at me still.

This game is completetly about the experience. The sounds, the sights, the little moments of recognition/understanding.

It's a wonderful experience, if you'll take the ride. Far more than I'd have expected.

At a bit under an hour, it's not a long or even complex experience - but it's a good one.

I really was hesitant about Proteus, as I've a...less than stellar opinion with many "art" games. Particularly those in the vein of Dear Esther and The Path. The "look and listen, but never interact. See things that don't really mean anything" sort. The graphical style, another "8-bit" game left me worried as well. Yet another pretentious faux throwback? Well, as much as one could call Proteus that, it ends up on an entirely new level of beautiful. The music your journey creates is remarkable, and the pixels really do fall away into something greater. After some time wandering around, not quite getting it, I happened upon an animal. It made some sounds, it reacted to me. I laughed a little, and looked for more. More flowers. More creatures. More trees. More things. As I started to understand what was happening, I began to appreciate it and really get into it - and then the game threw little surprises at me still. This game is completetly about the experience. The sounds, the sights, the little moments of recognition/understanding. It's a wonderful experience, if you'll take the ride. Far more than I'd have expected. At a bit under an hour, it's not a long or even complex experience - but it's a good one.