Prodeus – A Preview

Prodeus is a fun, action-packed shooter that brings the trappings of the original first-person shooter games like Wolfenstein 3D and Doom (1993) back with style. With a HUD layout and graphics reminiscent of these older games, Prodeus breathes new life into the design. Modern graphic renderings and smooth gameplay make Prodeus something special.

The hellish locale is quite familiar, with an array of enemies that will do anything to stop you in your tracks. Quick decisions, fast movement, and smart weapon choices are the only way you are going to survive.

Take a look for yourself:

Atmosphere

Hell, demons, and gore (oh my)! What more could you ask for in a retro-style first-person shooter? Prodeus is a return to the original style of FPS games with a familiar feel. Fans of old FPS games will surely find comfort in the arms of Prodeus. As will fans of newer FPS games. The modern design with a retro feel makes Prodeus feel like a remaster of a classic.

Everything in Prodeus feels dangerous. It is almost as if death waits for you to round the corner. In all fairness, it usually is. Every door you open, every turn you take, there is another wave of foes ready to take you down. Be it soldiers, imps, big scary dog-like creatures, or flying beasts, something will be there to stop you.

Even though Prodeus is no walk in the park, so it’s best to not stop and smell the roses. The level designs are well done and encourage rapid movement through them. Running, jumping, and avoiding enemies, and their projectiles, is crucial and the environment works to your advantage. If you know how to use it.

But don’t run straight through it all. There are secrets for those willing to seek them out. Intricate paths to new vantage points. Sometimes there is even a little bit of parkour you can do to get to an ideal spot. It’s all about being able to make quick decisions and decisive movements.

The music in Prodeus is wonderful and works well with what is going on. In times of “peace,” which is very loosely used here to mean “not about to die in the next minute,” the music calms down. Once combat begins again, it ramps back up to an intense soundtrack. The music sets the tone and makes each encounter incredibly intense.

Prodeus does an amazing job of setting its tone and sticking to it. The intense music, paired with just as intense combat, lends itself to a delightfully fun game. It has a quick tempo that encourages you to stay on the move and get to the next encounter. The fast pace encourages the player to move through one level and immediately want to hop into the next and keep the momentum going.

Gameplay

Prodeus plays smooth as butter and controls like a dream. Your movement in Prodeus is incredibly satisfying with swift motions and easy traversal. The landscape is fraught with danger. You will need to quickly bob and weave as you avoid enemies, their projectiles, and their charging friends. And watch your step; you never know when you might trip into a lava pool.

To manage the onslaught of enemies, your choice of weapon is critical. Prodeus gives you plenty of options to take down the hellish horde. Something like the shotgun works well for getting in close and making quick work of grunts, while the minigun is perfect for mowing down a large group.

Prodeus handles balancing weapons well. You must become comfortable with all the weapon types, or else you will fail. The design of the levels will not always provide you with enough of the ammo for your preferred weapon type. You have to adapt on the fly and make sure you are not over-taken because you ran out of a particular ammo type.

The level design in Prodeus ensures that you are adequately equipped to handle any situation. As long as you know what you are doing, that is. There is plenty of armor and health around the maps to make sure you don’t prematurely kick the bucket.

For the more curious types, Prodeus rewards exploration with bonuses in each level. As long as you are willing to look, each map is full of secrets. Though it is easy to get into the “run-and-gun” mindset while playing Prodeus, sometimes taking in the hellish scenery has its advantages.

Conclusion

Overall, Prodeus is already an incredibly fun game with a lot going for it. Solid gameplay with a retro feel makes Prodeus attractive to fans of FPS games, young and old. Those who grew up with classics like Wolfenstein 3D can appreciate the homage this game pays to those that started the first-person shooter genre. Those who grew up with games like Call of Duty and Battlefield can appreciate the retro look at first-person shooters while still feeling like they are playing a modern FPS.

For only being in early access, Prodeus brings plenty to the table. It already has a polished feel about it and plays wonderfully. The developers have done an amazing job with breathing life back into an old style of FPS games, and it will surely be popular upon its final release.