Protocol is a premium action game from Fair Games Studio. This first-person sci-fi experience breaks the mold in a lot of good ways. As the player, you assume the role of a participant in the titular protocol, which is a space program that aims to establish contact with an alien life form. Explore a hostile environment with a quirky artificial intelligence system supporting, guiding, and exchanging remarks with you.

Its graphics look dated, yet the premise and approach for Protocol make it fresh and definitely enjoyable. Imagine giving Portal 2 or Doom Eternal a Postal 2 treatment.

Be the future of mankind. Or not.

In Protocol, you explore different locations that illustrate your journey. From a location in the Arctic Circle to a completely alien realm, the set designs are as good as they get. They are well thought out and wandering around actually gets you random remarks from the AI. As the overseer of the program, the AI not only tells you what to do but is also smug and witty about it.

Comparing it to the games mentioned above could give players an idea of what to expect. There are aliens and opponents to shoot at, puzzles to solve, massive walking simulator-like areas, and a lot of comedy material to go on. Take note though, that it manages to create a smooth transition of locations and interactions for the entire length of the game—something that takes several hours to go through.

It is engaging and funny, yes, but remember that this game is also difficult. There are parts where you’ll have no choice but restart certain sections of the game. Most actions cannot be undone, requiring you to restart from your previous save instead. Also, the game suffers from a glaring problem, mostly the controls. While it supports both VR and non-VR games, it suffers from optimization problems that affect both.

Great premise stained by execution

Protocol is still a playable, if not a good video game despite its flaws in controls and cross-platform optimization. It offers an intriguing premise, which it delivers with great use of humor and exposition. It’s worth a dozen gameplay hours, especially if you’re only focused on either VR or non-VR because you can get used to its rather difficult controls. Witty, frustratingly difficult, and definitely recommended.