Shelf Control: Create Your Own Future In Proteus - The Tower Of Terror Adventure Gamebook
June 23, 2014
Here at Shelf Control, we appear to be on an adventure gamebook high. Last week, we featured Blood & Laurels, an iPad interaction fiction app set in Ancient Rome, which lets users decide how its protagonists act in certain circumstances. Now, we're featuring Proteus - The Tower of Terror, a recently released universal adventure gamebook app for iOS based on a cult classic adventure game magazine from the '80s.
Named after the Greek god who had the power of prophecy but who would assume different shapes to avoid foretelling the future, Proteus challenges you to forge your own future as you journey through the game's interactive gamebook adventure.
As the story goes, you are at the Academy of the Grand Wizard Eluetheria. Although you have learned a lot about the use of magic, the martial arts, and the power of reason, you long to prove your mettle in the outside world. Bravely or foolishly, you set out toward a place said to be ruled by a terrible but great wizard, the Ruler of The Tower of Terror.
If you can't see the video embedded above, please click here.
To begin your adventure, you must first create you character by rolling the dice that will determine your levels of dexterity, strength, and courage. After all, only these qualities may see you through.
From there on out, you get to read a thrilling story (written by David Brunskill) punctuated by prompts for choices that may make or break you along your quest (apparently with dozens of ways to die). You can use the interactive Quest Sheet, the Magic Map, and bookmarks to track and save your progress.
If you think the game's artwork looks outdated (like I did), it's because Proteus, out of nostalgia, features all of the gamebook's original artwork. But this time, the artwork is animated, as befits the modern platform it's on.
Proteus also features new art created exclusively for the new interactive version, plus atmospheric music and sound effects.
Morevoer, Proteus supports iOS 7's VoiceOver (enabling you to listen to the text), Dynamic Type (allowing you to adjust the text size), and Game Center (challenging you to unlock various achievements).
Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad running iOS 7.1 or later, Proteus - The Tower of Terror is available on the App Store for $1.99.
Proteus is developed by AppEndix, the same studio behind the Sherlock Holmes and Crime & Puzzlement gamebooks.
As always, if you have suggestions for Shelf Control, please feel free to email me at aldrin@appadvice.com or simply leave a comment below.
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