There are plenty of heroes in gaming. Space marines save galaxies, adventurers uncover ancient secrets, and warriors battle impossible odds. Rat Protocol, meanwhile, asks a much more important question: what happens when a laboratory rat suddenly becomes smart enough to realise it really shouldn’t be trapped inside a science facility?
Launching now on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and PC, with Play Anywhere support, Rat Protocol combines classic block-pushing puzzles with a quirky sci-fi premise, putting players in charge of a mutated rodent trying to survive a series of increasingly dangerous experiments.
At A Glance
- Game: Rat Protocol
- Price: £4.19
- Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PC, Play Anywhere
- Publisher: Eastasiasoft
- Developer: Pufferfish Digital / Eastasiasoft
From Lab Rat To Puzzle Hero
After a scientific experiment grants a humble laboratory rat enhanced intelligence and strength, the researchers behind the project decide to see exactly what their new creation is capable of.
That means navigating a series of test chambers filled with hazards, locked doors, switches, explosives and plenty of opportunities for things to go horribly wrong.
Your goal is to guide the rat safely through each room, collecting key cards and finding solutions to increasingly complex puzzles. Like the best puzzle games, the challenge comes from understanding the correct sequence of actions rather than reacting quickly.
Lasers, Crates And Explosions
While Rat Protocol starts out with relatively straightforward tasks, it doesn’t take long before multiple mechanics begin overlapping.
Players will need to push crates into position, block laser beams, trigger switches, avoid traps and use explosives at precisely the right moment. Every chamber introduces new twists, gradually building on previous ideas without overwhelming the player.
Wrapped around it all is a charming pixel-art presentation that gives the game a retro feel, while the tongue-in-cheek story keeps things light despite the rather questionable ethics of the laboratory staff.
A Puzzle Game That Earned Its Praise
Rat Protocol arrives on console with a positive reception already behind it, including a solid 3.5/5 review from us.
In that review, we said: “I wouldn’t say that my life has changed having played Rat Protocol – it’s too overly familiar for that to be the case – but it still surprised me. This is too well made and confident to be lumped into the ‘generic puzzler’ bracket. It’s a two-hour mental workout, and it’s one of those workouts where I felt better after experiencing it, rather than tired and a bit ragged.“
Small Scale, Big Brainpower
Not every game needs sprawling open worlds or dozens of hours of content. Sometimes all you need is a smart concept, a steady stream of satisfying puzzles and a surprisingly determined laboratory rat.
Rat Protocol delivers exactly that. If you’re looking for a compact puzzle adventure that steadily challenges your thinking while wrapping everything up in a fun sci-fi package, this little rodent might be worth following through the maze.
Take your pick from the Xbox Store, Nintendo eShop, or PlayStation Store as to your download preference.
