Don't listen to the trolls. Proteus is actually a game.

[WarPigeon]

Don't listen to the people complaining that Proteus doesn't have objectives, game mechanics, etc. It does, they are just extremely minimalist. Like most art games, the objectives are implied, not explicitly stated. There are things to interact with in the game, and the interactions do affect whether or not you complete all the game's objectives, but again, it's extremely subtle. You can't lose the game, but there are one or two game elements that are slightly challenging and might hinder your progress.

Proteus probably won't appeal to you if you're looking for a sandbox, or something where the player has a big effect on their surroundings. It is an exploration game, but if you are good (and lucky) you will probably see everything there is to see in 30-40 minutes or so. Having said that, there is a bit of replayability simply for the fact that the game is so peaceful and relaxing. You won't mind that you already know everything about the island. You'll just periodically want to play it again because it's such a nice place to be.

I know all of the above is very vague, but being more specific might spoil parts of the game. If you really want examples, reply below and I can explain it in more detail. *Spoilers Below*

[TC]

Let's be honest, it only really picks up once you get the flamethrower.

[Pug]

How do we interact with things or know we can interact with them?
What's the key command, and what is the XBox 360 button?

[Pseudo]

Pug: you mostly interact with stuff just by being near it. The critters/animals/plants often react to you being nearby.

[MellowPavoGames]

Silly, perhaps, but I wish the chickens wouldn't run away from me. :(

I just played for about 20 minutes and took a crapload of screenshots. Proteus appeals to me as a hobbyist photographer, and discovering something that can be tinkered with is kinda fun. :)
Saw a bunch of ignis fatuus floating around and actually half-yelled, 'Wait for me!' :P Derp.

[Drivol]

Hey, just because I said that Proteus wasn't a game, doesn't mean I am a troll! I thought out of all the people, my arguments were the most reasonable, sane, humorous and compelling.

[WarPigeon]

Автор сообщения: Pug

How do we interact with things or know we can interact with them?
What's the key command, and what is the XBox 360 button?

As Pseudo noted you interact with things just by being near them. There is no interact button, but pressing space lets you sit down. Sitting and waiting will help you interact with certain objects.

Автор сообщения: Fideous

Hey, just because I said that Proteus wasn't a game, doesn't mean I am a troll! I thought out of all the people, my arguments were the most reasonable, sane, humorous and compelling.

Of course I never meant to imply that you were a troll Fideous! I thought that was clear from our previous discussion!

[NilPixelCount]

It's beautiful, game or not!

[Drivol]

Автор сообщения: Fideous

Hey, just because I said that Proteus wasn't a game, doesn't mean I am a troll! I thought out of all the people, my arguments were the most reasonable, sane, humorous and compelling.

Of course I never meant to imply that you were a troll Fideous! I thought that was clear from our previous discussion!

Hobbit yes --- troll -- nevah! But for all my grief, I might just end up with a copy of Proteus after all, once it goes on sale. Proteus was admittedly musing in my brief trial period -- but moreso as a gold mine of comic relief for me. No software on Steam has inspired so many back-handed compliments, double entandres or puntastic material than Proteus has! Well until Fez came out, but that's a different story.

I now classify Proteus as a pixelly-challenged playful muse in a virtual reality environment. But seriously, why not give the people what they really want: Achievements to unlock! Cheevos are in! That's all I ever asked from Proteus and it's community. I'd like to hear one sane argument why Proteus shouldn't have achievements... just one...

[Alkalive]

i don't know if this is a game or not. on the one hand, i want to say it's not interactive if i can't push a button to initiate said interaction. but on the other hand, quantun theory tells us that observation is a form of interaction. at this point my wife would tell to stop over-analyzing; because it's art. but is it worth ten dollers? well i paid five; and thats what counts.

[WarPigeon]

To be fair, you do push a button (quite a few in fact) in order to interact with objects in the game. The only difference is that in this game they are all movement buttons.

[Alkalive]

you are correct. the player position on the map changes the behavior of the game. which is a form of interaction. i think what i mean is that i was expecting to have a "use" button. though there is no reason for me expect that. does that make it a game? i'm not sure.

[Alkalive]

i have thought about it; this is indeed a game. i think poeple confuse the functionality of games with their expectations. take tic-tac-toe. it can argued that it is a game that is not meant to be won. if that is the case, then competition can't be an exclusive trait. that is, if you agree tic-tac-toe is a game. but there must be interaction. if it's there, then its a game.

[Drivol]

I think we might have reached an agreement here...follow my logic. You find this simplistic interactive experience of Proteus a 'game' for fun. I find the simplistic interative experience of Proteus fair 'game' for humor. Therefore, be both agree that Proteous is in fact a 'game'. :)

[WarPigeon]

Автор сообщения: VOLTZdaniel_eyes

i have thought about it; this is indeed a game. i think poeple confuse the functionality of games with their expectations. take tic-tac-toe. it can argued that it is a game that is not meant to be won. if that is the case, then competition can't be an exclusive trait. that is, if you agree tic-tac-toe is a game. but there must be interaction. if it's there, then its a game.

Yup, plus there are many games where movement is the only form of interaction. Pacman, for example. And I think you'd be pretty hard pressed to find someone who doesn't consider Pacman to be a videogame.

[DryvBy]

A goaless game is not a game. Quit being a hipster and pretending to "get it". Some developers threw together fake nostalgia, didn't set any goals, and told you it's art. I painted my own avatar for Steam. Where's my $10?