The Protagonist
Loading critic reviews...
Deals
Finding deals...
Live Streams
Finding live streams...
About The Protagonist
The Protagonist is a single-player adventure game blending psychological horror and environmental storytelling. Developed by beforeyouknow games, it drops you into a post-apocalyptic world 635 years after the sun vanished. You play Varon, a man combing decaying underground ruins for his lost daughter. Set in a claustrophobic, dimly lit world, it focuses on tense exploration and fragmented narratives. Released in October 2025 for PC, it’s a slow-burn story that leans on eerie atmospherics and unsettling silence over action. The game aims to unsettle more than scare, with a focus on emotional weight and cryptic clues.
Gameplay
You navigate crumbling tunnels and abandoned shelters using a flickering flashlight and limited resources. Exploration is methodical, searching for notes, audio logs, and environmental hints about Varon’s past and the world’s collapse. The core loop mixes puzzle-solving (e.g. reactivating old tech, bypassing traps) with stealth elements; you avoid faceless, silent threats that stalk the darkness. Combat is absent, replaced by tension-building mechanics like sudden light cuts or muffled noises. Controls are straightforward for PC, but pacing can lag during prolonged sections of slow walking. Each area feels like a cryptic chapter, with the environment itself often delivering the most unsettling moments.
What Players Think
PlayPile community ratings average 8.2/10, with critics scoring 83/100. 78% of players finish the game, averaging 10 hours. 45% describe it as “creepy,” 30% “chilling,” and 15% “uncomfortable”, proof of its unsettling tone. Early praise highlights the “haunting atmosphere” but some note “pacing lags in the middle act.” Achievements (120 total) are sparse but thematic; 40% of players unlock 10 or more. Reviews split on whether the story’s ambiguity is poetic or frustrating. It’s divisive but polarizing, loved by fans of existential horror like The Vanishing of Ethan Carter, but too slow for action-oriented players.
PlayPile's Take
The Protagonist is a $29.99 trip into psychological unease best suited for fans of slow-burn, story-first horror. While 10 hours is short for the price, the 120 achievements and rewatchable story justify replayability for 30% of players who beat it twice. Skip it if you crave action or linear storytelling. For $30, it’s a risky but rewarding experience, ideal for PC players who enjoy dissecting cryptic narratives in a world that feels both alien and disturbingly familiar.
Game Modes
Single player
Achievements
Loading achievements...
Similar Games
Finding similar games...
Buzzing on Bluesky
Checking Bluesky...