Prodeus
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Prodeus
| image = Prodeus logo.jpg
| developer = Bounding Box Software{{Cite web |title=Prodeus on Steam |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/964800/Prodeus/ |access-date=April 25, 2019 |website=Steam |language=en}}
| publisher = Humble Games
| engine = Unity
| composer = Andrew Hulshult
James Paddock
| platforms = macOS
Microsoft Windows
Nintendo Switch
PlayStation 4
PlayStation 5
Xbox One
Xbox Series X/S
| release = September 23, 2022
| genre = First-person shooter
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
}}
Prodeus is a first-person shooter game developed by Bounding Box Software and published by Humble Games. The game was crowdfunded by a Kickstarter campaign in April 2019. An early access version was released on November 9, 2020.{{Cite web |date=November 9, 2020 |title=In development: Prodeus |url=https://www.gog.com/news/in_development_prodeus}} The full game was released on macOS, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S in September 2022.{{Cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |date=2022-09-16 |title=Prodeus launches September 23 for PS5, Xbox Series, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2022/09/prodeus-launches-september-23-for-ps5-xbox-series-ps4-xbox-one-switch-and-pc |access-date=2022-09-18 |website=Gematsu |language=en-US}} A DLC was announced for the game in 2023.
Gameplay
The developers describe Prodeus as "the first-person shooter of old, re-imagined using modern rendering techniques." The gameplay resembles that of classic 1990s first-person shooters such as Doom and Quake.{{Cite web |last=Newman |first=Ben |date=March 26, 2019 |title=Prodeus is Distinctly Old School, But its Developers Are Not Interested in Repeating the Past |url=https://www.onlysp.com/prodeus-interview/ |access-date=April 26, 2019 |website=Only Single Player |language=en-US |archive-date=August 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210829102907/https://www.onlysp.com/prodeus-interview/ |url-status=dead }} The player must explore complex levels, sometimes searching out keys to progress, while engaging enemies in fast-paced combat using a variety of weapons. To help the player find their way, and to aid in discovering secrets, the game features an automap similar in function to those featured in games such as Doom, Duke Nukem 3D, and Metroid Prime.
Prodeus employs a modern game engine to extend the experience of classic shooters with visuals such as dynamic lighting and particle effects, interactive levels, a gore system, and a dynamic soundtrack.{{Cite web |last=Papadopoulos |first=John |date=March 28, 2019 |title=Kickstarter {{sic|campa|ing|nolink=y}} launched for Prodeus; old-school first-person retro shooter using modern rendering techniques |url=https://www.dsogaming.com/news/kickstarter-campaing-launched-for-prodeus-old-school-first-person-retro-shooter-using-modern-rendering-techniques/ |access-date=April 26, 2019 |website=Dark Side of Gaming |language=en-US}} Though the game may be played entirely with modern visuals, the game allows the player to apply shaders that give the game a pixelated look, simulating resolutions down to 360p or even 216p.
Plot
The player assumes control of a corrupted agent of Prodeus, the mysterious creator of the player and the game world. The only goal is to destroy Prodeus and anything that gets in the way.{{cn|date=January 2021}}
Development
Developers Mike Voeller and Jason Mojica met while working together at Raven Software on Singularity. By 2017, Voeller had decided to leave the industry to pursue an idea for a retro first-person shooter (that would become Prodeus). Around that time, Mojica reconnected with Voeller and decided to leave his job at Starbreeze Studios to join the project.{{Cite podcast |url=https://quakecast.podbean.com/e/jason-mojica-of-bounding-box-prodeus-quakecast-22/ |title=Quakecast #22: Jason Mojica of Bounding Box & Prodeus |website=QuakeCast |publisher=Podbean |date=April 16, 2019 |access-date=April 26, 2019 |language=en}} Later, the two recruited Andrew Hulshult for the soundtrack and Josh "Dragonfly" O'Sullivan from the Doom modding community to work on level design.{{Cite web |date=April 6, 2019 |title=Prodeus - A New Retro-FPS In Development |url=https://www.dfdoom.com/prodeus-a-new-action-packed-retro-first-person-shooter/ |access-date=April 26, 2019 |website=Dragonfly's Doomworks |language=en}}
Prodeus was announced in November 2018.{{Cite web |last=Morse |first=Blake |date=November 26, 2018 |title=Prodeus reveal trailer mixes modern and classic FPS styles |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/108708/prodeus-reveal-trailer-mixes-modern-and-classic-fps-styles |access-date=April 25, 2019 |website=Shacknews |language=en}} The launch trailer and later gameplay demos{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDmyGG0YR98 |title=Prodeus : Pre-Alpha 12 mins of Gameplay |date=April 10, 2019 |publisher=Prodeus Game |access-date=April 26, 2019 |via=YouTube}} were created with a pre-alpha version of the game showcasing a typical level.
The developers have stated that community engagement was considered a core principle of the game from the beginning. Thus, Prodeus includes an integrated level editor from day one.{{Cite news |last=Tarason |first=Dominic |date=March 29, 2019 |title=Retro FPS Prodeus summons the demons of crowdfunding |language=en-US |work=Rock Paper Shotgun |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2019/03/29/prodeus-descends-into-the-crowdfunding-level-of-hell/ |access-date=April 26, 2019}} Anyone who owns the game on a PC will have the same tools used by the developers to make levels from scratch. The level editor is built specifically for Prodeus and is designed for speed and ease of use.{{cn|date=January 2022}}
Despite originally promising a native Linux version,{{Cite web |last=Dawe |first=Liam |date=April 26, 2019 |title=Retro-inspired bloody shooter Prodeus fully funded and coming to Linux |url=https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2019/04/retro-inspired-bloody-shooter-prodeus-fully-funded-and-coming-to-linux |website=GamingOnLinux |language=en}} it was announced on September 5, 2022 that the game would instead merely be tailored for the Proton compatibility layer, citing issues with platform support from the Unity game engine.{{Cite web |last=Dawe |first=Liam |date=September 6, 2022 |title=Prodeus cancels the Native Linux version, focusing on Proton compatibility (updated) |url=https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2022/09/prodeus-cancels-the-native-linux-version-focusing-on-proton-compatibility/ |website=GamingOnLinux |language=en}}
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| MC = (NS) 81/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/prodeus/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch |title=Prodeus for Switch Reviews |website=Metacritic |accessdate=13 October 2022}}
(PC) 84/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/prodeus/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Prodeus for PC Reviews |website=Metacritic |accessdate=13 October 2022}}
(PS5) 75/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/prodeus/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5 |title=Prodeus for PlayStation 5 Reviews |website=Metacritic |accessdate=13 October 2022}}
| EuroG = Recommended{{cite web |last=Lane |first=Rick |date=6 October 2022 |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/prodeus-review-a-fearsome-hybrid-of-old-and-new-fps-ideas |title=Prodeus review – a fearsome hybrid of old and new FPS ideas |website=Eurogamer |accessdate=13 October 2022}}
| JXV = 15/20{{cite web |last=Jiikaa |date=7 March 2021 |title=Prodeus, le FPS rétro qui ressuscite l'esprit du Doom de 1993 |url=https://www.jeuxvideo.com/test/1373534/prodeus-le-fps-retro-qui-ressuscite-l-esprit-du-doom-de-1993.htm |website=Jeuxvideo.com |accessdate=13 October 2022}}
| NLife = {{Rating|9|10}}{{cite web |last=Vogel |first=Mitch |date=3 November 2022 |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nintendo-switch/prodeus |title=Review: Prodeus - An Excellent DOOM-Style Shooter For Old-School FPS Fans |website=Nintendo Life |accessdate=6 June 2023}}
| NME = {{Rating|5|5}}{{cite web |last=Tucker |first=Jake |date=10 October 2022 |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/game-reviews/prodeus-review-faster-more-intense-3326010 |title=Prodeus review: faster, more intense |website=NME |accessdate=13 October 2022}}
| PSQ = {{Rating|8|10}}{{cite web |last=Ramsey |first=Robert |date=5 October 2022 |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps5/prodeus |title=Mini Review: Prodeus (PS5) - Old School Shooter Is Derivative But So Damn Good |website=Push Square |accessdate=13 October 2022}}
| TA = 4.5/5{{cite web |last=Musgrave |first=Shaun |date=4 November 2022 |url=https://toucharcade.com/2022/11/04/ghost-song-switch-review-performance-prodeus-frame-rate-eastward-eshop-discount-price-deal-november/ |title=SwitchArcade Round-Up: Reviews Featuring Prodeus & Ghost Song, Plus the Latest Releases and Sales |website=TouchArcade |accessdate=6 June 2023}}
}}
Prodeus received "generally favorable" reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic.
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References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://prodeusgame.com/}}
Category:First-person shooters
Category:Early access video games
Category:Cancelled Linux games
Category:Nintendo Switch games
Category:Video games developed in the United States
Category:Video games scored by Andrew Hulshult
Category:Kickstarter-funded video games
Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games