Prodeus Xbox Series X Review

Prodeus Xbox Series X Review – Inspired by Doom

Prodeus is an FPS game that draws obvious inspiration from the legendary Doom series, and it’s easy to see why countless games have been influenced by ID Software’s iconic release. Since its debut, Doom has left an indelible mark on the gaming industry, and Prodeus, crafted by Mike Voeller and Jason Mojica, serves as a heartfelt tribute to the retro FPS genre. Embracing the essence of classic shooters, Prodeus delivers an action-packed experience that’s undeniably enjoyable from start to finish. With its old-school charm and fast paced gameplay, the game stands as a testament to the enduring allure of the FPS genre’s roots.

Prodeus strikes a delicate balance between modern visual appeal and a nostalgic nod to its predecessors. While it embraces some modern graphical techniques, it never forgets its roots and pays homage to the games that helped shape its identity. A feature that further captures the retro experience is the ability to play the game with various filters, placing you in a more pixelated world reminiscent of classic titles. Moreover, the option to deliberately degrade the resolution adds a touch of authenticity, while enemy models can be swapped between pixel and 3D models. This thoughtful blend of modern visuals and customizable retro aesthetics showcases Prodeus’s dedication to honouring the games that came before it.

When it comes to gameplay, Prodeus delivers a fast paced experience that feels incredibly responsive and tight. The shooting mechanics are satisfying, and you are treat to a diverse arsenal of weapons, ranging from dual machine guns and shotguns to powerful rocket launchers, mini guns, and exotic otherworldly armaments. The sheer joy of firing these weapons at enemies is never anything less than gratifying. Embracing the classic FPS approach, the game does away with recharging health, instead, you must rely on collecting health and armour pick-ups scattered throughout the levels.

“Prodeus proves that quality can triumph over quantity, offering a satisfying time that will leave many fulfilled as well as reminiscing about the golden age of first-person shooters.”

Indeed, Prodeus boasts impressive level design that sets it apart from the early Doom games. The game’s environments display plenty of variation, offering you diverse and visually engaging settings to explore. Each level is a carefully crafted maze of rooms and corridors, brimming with secrets waiting to be discovered. Yes. just like Doom. The thrill of stumbling upon an out-of-reach secret and then discovering how to get to it is always enjoyable. Prodeus’s secrets are often well hidden, encouraging exploration as well as a keen eye. Some secrets even demand revisiting a level at a later point, adding replayability to the game.

Prodeus’ campaign, spanning 6-8 hours, may not be the longest in duration, but it’s crafted with such care and precision that it never overstays its welcome. Action-packed from start to finish, the campaign will be a source of nostalgia for fans of classic FPS games. However, even for those unfamiliar with the genre’s roots, the campaign manages to deliver a fun enough time. The simplicity of the gameplay, centered around intense shooting and relentless combat, keeps the action fast-paced and exhilarating. While the gameplay may not be overly complex (shooting and finding colour-coordinated keycards is the order of the day), the joy of blasting through enemies ensures a consistently entertaining experience throughout the entire campaign. Prodeus proves that quality can triumph over quantity, offering a satisfying time that will leave many fulfilled as well as reminiscing about the golden age of first-person shooters.

One of the most noteworthy drawbacks of Prodeus, however, is its rather unusual checkpoint system. When you die, the peculiar aspect here is that the enemies previously vanquished remain permanently eliminated upon respawn. This design choice has raised eyebrows among many, as it drastically reduces the game’s difficulty, even on higher difficulty levels.  This quirk in the checkpoint system has been a subject of criticism, and many have expressed the desire for a more balanced experience where the challenge matches the chosen difficulty level. Let’s just hope that a future update will address this issue, as it is quite a glaring one.

Back on to better things, and Prodeus offers an impressive and diverse gaming package, with competitive and cooperative multiplayer options also offered. In its competitive multiplayer mode, you can engage in battles with up to 16 participants, enjoying classic game modes like Deathmatch and Capture the Flag. On the other hand, for those seeking cooperative gameplay, the entire campaign can be experienced with up to four players, which is just as fun as it sounds.

One of the game’s standout features is its impressive and powerful map creation tool. This feature makes it possible to craft custom environments tailored to preferences and play styles. Furthermore, you can play the levels of others and share your own created maps with the community, allowing you to show them off.

Prodeus Xbox Series X Review Summary:

While it isn’t without its issues, Prodeus is a delightful nostalgic FPS treat, crafted with evident passion. It successfully delivers a modern-day take on the classic Doom experience, offering fast-paced action and lovingly designed levels. If you crave an adrenaline-fueled FPS game that pays homage to the past while offering some modern visual techniques, Prodeus is undoubtedly the game for you. Just don’t go into the campaign expecting to be presented with a major challenge, as the odd checkpoint system doesn’t allow for this at this point in time.