Protocol

About

Protocol drops you into a near-future base where making "first contact" with aliens means following a rigid rulebook. As a mix of sci-fi action and brain-teasing puzzles, you navigate corridors, shoot threats, and manipulate systems to complete missions. The catch: every move risks triggering the Protocol’s deadly consequences. Exploration drives the story, with scattered logs hinting at a deeper mystery behind the operation. Combat feels brisk but secondary to the logic puzzles that unlock areas, though the unpredictable AI adds bursts of chaos. What sticks is the tone, a strange mash of dry humor, unsettling horror, and an awkward romantic subplot involving your AI companion. Players often note the game’s confidence in defying genre norms, blending walking-sim pacing with sudden action beats. While not universally loved, it’s earned a cult following for its quirks. With a 72% on Metacritic and a runtime averaging 6-8 hours, Protocol works best as an offbeat experiment rather than a polished experience. The base feels lived-in, and the consequences of your choices, real or illusion, keep things oddly gripping.

Storyline

The story takes place in the near future. Your objective is to make "first contact" with an alien life form. Any violation of the Protocol will lead to the elimination of you and the entire operation. Remember, the fate of the humanity may depend on your actions. Once signed, the Protocol must be promptly implemented.