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Prototype

Prototype

Rapturous cheers greeted the latest offering from Radical Entertainment, but does it stake a valid claim to be the super hero action adventure game of this generation. I investigate.

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Euphoria is a strange and illogical emotion. Its ability to reduce even the most composed individual to a bundle of nerves swept away by a wave of optimism and excitement is quite frankly peerless. Since my first glimpse of Prototype's teaser trailer way back in late 2007, I have been on pins and needles eagerly awaiting the game's release. Alas, as is the case in most cases, you hope for one and 3 come in quick succession.

Prototype

I am of course talking about Infamous, of which comparisons have naturally been made between the two games. This is because they are both single player action adventure titles that chronicle the rise of an individual with extra-ordinary abilities as well as both being open world, but that my friend is where the similarities end. Infamous has the player flirting between good and evil moral dilemmas, while in Prototype; you are actively encouraged to mow down anything and anyone that stands in your way.

As the game's protagonist and anti-hero, you are Alex Mercer; a shape shifting, killing machine on a quest to regain his memory and unleash his rouge tinted brand of justice to those behind the viral outbreak that has gripped Manhattan. To do this, you have an insane amount of powers and upgrades at your disposal.

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The game's main power upgrades can be split into seven main categories: Blade, claws, defensive, hammerfist, whipfist, musclemass and sensory powers. With each category listing between three to five upgrades each. The game commences and maintains a frenetic pace, so in order to keep up, I'd highly recommend a combination of the devastating ‘ground spike,' impenetrable ‘armor power' and far reaching ‘whipfist power'.

On a mission to rein Alex in is a crack team of soldiers, with varying skill sets. They include your basic foot soldier, the base commander, helicopter pilot and armoured vehicle driver. There are also the infected and an assortment of monsters on your trail. Luckily, Alex has the ability to consume everyone, which gives him access to their unique traits and their memories. This feature, uniquely monikered, ‘Web of Intrigue' showcases sporadic images and dialogue, while also revealing occasional glimpses into the puppet masters behind the city's tragic fall and the catalyst for Alex becoming the remorseless killing machine we encounter.

Admittedly there are several missions in the game where the consumption and the extermination of an entire block of the city's inhabitants is unavoidable, however Radical Entertainment's decision to not have Alex reflect on the consequences of his actions is lazy at best and really should have been expanded upon. He is clearly an anti-hero, who borders on being a full-fledged villain and his inner turmoil could have been further explored. Personally, I like to think it's because of some repressed childhood memory, which makes it hard for him to express himself concisely. Well it's either that or he is one hard as nails, sick ass mo-fo.

Modes of transport are at a premium, with the ability to commandeer a tank or fighter helicopter the only viable options. Both handle well and add some variation to game play. If you'd rather traverse the city without any mechanical aids, Alex's ability to glide through the air is a truly unique upgrade and comes in handy when trying to outrun hordes of the super infected or ‘Hunters'.

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In conclusion, Prototype is all you would expect from the makers of the Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction game, it's a wonderful pick up and smash everything in sight past time, but unfortunately just like the Hulk game, it suffers from its pretty lacklustre visuals. There are moments in the game when characters appear to blend in with the scenery...Never the sign of a good game.
It's however redeemed by the stellar sound effects. Blockbuster explosions, spine tingling, shrill screams and the unmistakeable sounds of fleeing human cattle create the illusion of being smack, bang in the middle of...err...a viral outbreak. It's that good.

07 Gamereactor UK
7 / 10
+
Blood, varied ways to get yourself from point A to B, mission variation, sound, frenetic pacing.
-
Bland aesthetics, clichéd story
overall score
is our network score. What's yours? The network score is the average of every country's score

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