PPP2 Review: Proteus

The next game that I wanted to look at was Proteus. This is a lovely little game created by Ed Key and David Kanaga for multiple platforms. The game is heavily based around exploring and discovering an island with no specific goal. The player can explore the environment as they wish and go wherever they want. Whats a beautiful about this game is that while exploring every creature and plant has its own unique musical notes that it will play when either moving or you get near them, altering the way in which music is shown in the game

Another really nice feature about this game is that the world is procedurally generated, giving a unique layout every time you open a new game. There is some speculation that occurs with this that this isn't a game but more of an experience as all you do is walk around. I would also speculate that this doesn't come under environmental storytelling either as there is no story, you simple explore the island. Having said that I do really like the art style, which I found quite surprising my self. Probably my favourite feature of the environment being the amount of colour that is used, especially throughout the game as you see a range going from normal greens and blues for the grass, trees and sky, but you are then injected with oranges, reds, yellows and pinks as the game progresses; creating an exciting contrast of colours.

In some cases there are parts that do look like a child has made it, especially the sun, but the rest of the world really does look very nice and unique. Players explor this pixel art style world from a first person perspective, which instantly brings you closer to the world and you feel more involved as your playing, not a character. The island consists of minimal objects, there are a few trees, structures and animals but the focus is more about exploration and listening to the different music that is provided throughout, which is something that I find very interesting. Although the sounds change throughout I think this is a very effective way to engage an audience as it can be silent one minute when all you have is your surroundings, to being full of different sounds the next as something happens or you reach a certain point in the game.

Despite the childish look of it I really think the environment looks good, and beautiful in a strange way, especially as a nice feature of the game is the season changing. You begin on the island in spring and as you wander you see the seasons change slowly around you and pass through time until you reach winter and the game ends before spring hits. Its a beautiful touch and creates unique situations where you can see the environment at all times of the year instead of it just being set in one period of time. The change is nice to see and it makes the game that little bit more unique. Although it is an interesting style it probably isn't something that I would want to take into my own game environments though.