Crusty Proto is an intriguing, unfinished game discovered in a forgotten CD pack bought at a garage lot, with a build date roughly around 1997. This game seems to have been an ambitious attempt to capture the success of Resident Evil, which was a massive hit at the time. However, the incomplete and glitchy state of the game offers a glimpse into what could have been, showcasing some intriguing, if flawed, design choices.
Despite its rough edges, Crusty Proto has a certain charm for fans of retro gaming and Resident Evil enthusiasts. The game is a clear attempt to mimic the survival horror genre, with eerie environments, creepy monsters, and an atmosphere that's trying (though not always succeeding) to evoke the same tension as its inspiration. It’s easy to see where the developers were headed, but unfortunately, the game never reached a full release—likely due to its numerous technical issues and lack of polish.
What makes Crusty Proto attractive is its rarity and the curiosity surrounding an unfinished project from the late 90s. For fans of retro games and unfinished prototypes, it’s a fascinating artifact that allows a glimpse into a period of game development that never came to fruition. It’s not a polished experience, but it serves as a nostalgic and quirky reminder of the era when survival horror was at its peak. If you're willing to embrace the glitches and incomplete features, Crusty Proto offers an interesting, albeit rough, piece of gaming history.