Cost: $49, or $65 deluxe From: Kadon Enterprises: (410) 437-2163 Players: 2 Playing Time: 20-60 minutes Type of game: Abstract strategy Complexity: 7 Skill level: 9 Reviewed by: Peter Sarrett, Issue 1.4, May/June 1993
According to myth, Proteus was a Greek god and prophet with the distinguishing ability to change his form at will. I cannot imagine a more appropriate name for this game from Kadon Enterprises in which the very nature of the game alters dramatically from one move to the next. Indeed, change is at the heart of this elegant game from the people who brought us Quintillions and Sextillions.
Rules for four game variations are supplied, all of which are played on a simple three by three grid (a cloth mat in the basic set, or a hardwood board with leather playing surface in the deluxe package). Each player has a set of three pawns-- one marked by a square, one by a circle, and the third by a triangle. The nine tiles actually are squares, circles, and rectangles-- one each in red, green, and yellow, all with holes in their centers to accomodate the pawns. Every tile has a rule engraved on one side-- movement rules on the reds, trading rules on the greens, and game goals on the yellows.
In basic Proteus, players begin by placing tiles or pawns on the board. No two tiles or pawns can occupy the same space, although a pawn and tile may do so. Once all tiles and pawns are placed, players take turns moving pieces or swapping tiles according to the rules currently in effect. And that's the catch. If a pawn and tile of the same shape ever occupy the same space, the tile is turned face-up so that its rule is displayed. All other tiles of the same color are turned face down, and that tile's rule comes into effect. Red tiles control how pawns may be moved-- like a chess king, a rook, or a bishop/knight. Green tiles control which tiles may be exchanged-- tiles of the same shape, the same color, or different "polarity" (that is, occupied by opposing pieces). Yellow tiles control the very goal of the game itself-- getting three in a row like Tic-Tac-Toe, having your pawns occupy three tiles of the same shape, or having your pawns occupy three tiles of like color. Whoever first manages to achieve the goal prevailing at the end of their turn wins.
Winning isn't easy. It's not difficult to maneuver into a position whereby you could win on your next turn-- but there are usually a couple of ways for your opponent to stop you. The trick is to set up a win which your opponent can't prevent. And that takes skill, foresight, and luck.
We found that if nobody had won after thirty minutes of play, the game started to feel monotonous and we'd set it aside and come back to it later. Of course, your mileage may vary.
As always with games from Kadon, the equipment for Proteus is quite attractive. The deluxe hardwood board looks nifty on a coffee table. The laser-cut wood tiles are well-made and art deco chic, and the simple pawns complement them nicely. You'll find that Proteus makes as fine a conversation piece as it does a game.