I'm only letting myself spend 10 more dollars on this year's summer sale, and I'm torn between Bulletstorm and Alpha Protocol. Bulletstorm was more well-recieved, and I had a lot of fun with the demo, but I can't help but shake the feeling that it's going to wear thin after a few hours. Alpha Protocol, on paper, sounds like the easy choice since I'm a huge fan of the Mass Effect series, but the critical response made me shy away from it when it was initially released. At 10 bucks though, it's tempting to finally give it a chance.

Anybody here played both? Between AP's jank and Bulletstorm's potentially short lifespan, which one comes out on top?

buy neither, donate the money to charity.

Alpha Protocol. Bulletstorm is fucking awful while Alpha Protocol is great, so, duh.

Bulletstorm is a fantastic shooter and looks great on the PC, has great weapons and some funny moments. Don't buy alpha protocol its really bad.

I enjoyed both games, but I definitely loved Alpha Protocol more. The only RPG I've ever played where your decisions actually mattered and had a profound effect on the world.

But like others have mentioned, I bought the game when it was at $2. Perhaps a better deal will come in the future.

Bulletstorm is fucking awesome but short lived, so I have to agree. Go with Alpha Protocol.

EDIT: I just checked and Alpha Protocol is running at $11.99. I recall getting it for $1.99. You should probably wait and see if it goes down even more

I don't see either of those games on a flash deal or daily sale yet, rule of steam sales, don't buy stuff not on the featured sales until the last day, cause you'll kick yourself when it shows up for way cheaper later.

I really enjoyed Alpha Protocol. Does it have some issues? Of course, but if you can look past them there is a pretty neat game in there.

I think Alpha Protocol ran for 99cents at one point O.o.

Maybe wait to see if you can get both (and buy one or the other on the last day) if you really want to limit it to under 10. Both are good (and a bit unique) in some ways.

Alpha Protocol is the most fun shooter RPG in the world. It is so goofy and charming and

If you hate Alpha Protocol you hate Obsidian because it is RAW Obsidian this ain't no processed junk nosirre

I played both and not even close, Bulletstorm. Yes, AP has some good ideas, but its a broken old looking mess.

Which is more important to you story or gameplay? If story, go for Alpha Protocol. If gameplay, Bulletstorm is the game for you.

Bulletstorm, by far. It may be shorter, but you will spend a better time with it.

I enjoyed Alpha Protocol quite a lot, warts and all.

be sure to wait until the end, those games will probably end up much cheaper at one point

Alpha Protocol! As others have said, it has issues, but it is still enjoyable. I think it'd have more bang for your buck if you're into action rpgs.

Alpha Protocol is incredible, Bulletstorm is a game.

Bulletstorm is one of the best shooters in years. Not to missed, short or otherwise.

@Allison said:

Alpha Protocol is the most fun shooter RPG in the world. It is so goofy and charming and

If you hate Alpha Protocol you hate Obsidian because it is RAW Obsidian this ain't no processed junk nosirre

This is the best comment I've ever seen regarding Alpha Protocol. Thank god for Wasteland 2 coming soon!

@Allison said:

Alpha Protocol is the most fun shooter RPG in the world. It is so goofy and charming and

If you hate Alpha Protocol you hate Obsidian because it is RAW Obsidian this ain't no processed junk nosirre

I decidedly dislike Alpha Protocol but I think New Vegas and Neverwinter Nights 2 are both way better than the games they are based on. Boom.

To elaborate, I think that AP can and should be praised for its method of dynamic storytelling. It's just that, I don't think the story is particularly good. I think Michael Thorton comes off as a total asshole regardless of how you play him and I think most of the supporting cast is dull and forgettable, all wrapped around a pretty boilerplate "modern espionage" story. Not even going to mention the gameplay, because under no circumstances should you play Alpha Protocol for its gameplay (making fighting a coked up Russian Mobster with a taste for 80s paraphernalia a negative experience is just... unfortunate). That being said, it's divisive and unique enough that for a low price (and I mean a low price) I think you should at least play it once. Maybe you'll decide that I'm wrong.

Neither.

Bulletstorm is a safer bet I suppose? I've played both games and I can tell you both are good. Though I personally think Alpha Protocol is an amazing game, its either a hit or miss with a lot of people, judging from what I've read in various forums and reviews so far.

Alpha protocol all the day....days bro.

Alpha Protocol.

Alpha Protocol.

@Fascismo: I've played both. Loved Bulletstorm; lost interest in Alpha Protocol halfway through (and I, too, am a huge fan of Mass Effect). If you haven't already seen the Quick Look for Alpha Protocol, you might wanna check that out. Aside from the game's myriad technical issues, the main character is arguably one of the most unlikable protagonists since Kratos.

Again, you could always read Jeff's reviews for both these games. Personally--as single-player FPS campaigns go, I think Bulletstorm is practically a flawless masterwork. The brilliant weapon design, along with the emphasis on "skillshot" techniques, makes for some of the most satisfying gameplay in the genre. You'll actually want to use all of the weapons (and are rewarded for doing so). And look at these goddamn screenshots.

o_O so much polarisation in this thread.

Other things that you can probably find worth your money, between the two AP is probably the better choice as Bulletstorm was quite short & once you're done with it, that's about it. I really had little drive to get into the multiplayer or even replay it at a higher difficulty after finishing it.

Wait until the last day before you buy either, because chances are one or both will be daily or flash deals.

@GunslingerPanda said:

Alpha Protocol. Bulletstorm is fucking awful while Alpha Protocol is great, so, duh.

@Bourbon_Warrior said:

Bulletstorm is a fantastic shooter and looks great on the PC, has great weapons and some funny moments. Don't buy alpha protocol its really bad.

It's THAT easy.

@SamFo said:

buy neither, donate the money to charity.

The thing that good people do.

The thing that awesome people do: Totally buy Alpha Protocol and don't look back. Bulletstorm was fun, but Alpha Protocol was brilliant!

Both games have been cheaper than 10 bucks. If I'm not mistaken, Bulletstorm in particular was $5 in a recent Amazon sale. Wait for a steeper drop IMO.

Bulletstorm is an amazing game.

@GunslingerPanda said:

Alpha Protocol. Bulletstorm is fucking awful while Alpha Protocol is great, so, duh.

Bulletstorm was a short but fantastically ridiculous ride.

Alpha Protocol I have not finished and do not intend to.

I enjoy both of those games quite a bit - both have stories that surprise you with their quality, and Alpha Protocol has extremely unconventional, but not bad when you get used to it's rules, gameplay.

Wait til later in the sale to see if they get discounted more and GET BOTH.

Bulletstorm. Alpha Protocol stinks worse than my dirty britches!

I would say Bulletstorm. I frickin loved the game. Feels like an old school shooter in a good way. Alpha Protocol is also a good game but with some serious flaws. Also you can totally find Alpha Protocol for cheaper if you wait for it to be super cheap.

Bulletstorm is a really fun shooter, and Alpha Protocol is one of the best RPG's released in 2010. My vote goes for the latter.

@GunslingerPanda said:

Alpha Protocol. Bulletstorm is fucking awful while Alpha Protocol is great, so, duh.

If you reverse this statement, you might be approaching a good idea. Alpha Protocol is a buggy boring game with broken game mechanics and Bulletstorm is a crazy FPS that is ok.

Alpha Protocol all day long.

Alpha Protocol and don't think twice about it.

It doesn't have the most original story ever, but the way it all meshes together and is affected by your choice and actions during missions is almost seamless, something Bioware totally failed to do with the Mass Effect games. It's more of an old school affair, and really relies on your stats and skill choices for combat, which I think is what turned a lot of people off, but if you hate the dumbing down Bioware did with ME and Dragon Age 2, it's definitely something you'll enjoy.

Well, Bulletstorm works. So there you go.

I'm actually surprised at the amount of support Alpha Protocol has in this thread, I though this would be pretty one sided tbh.

Don't make Matt cry.

Alpha Protocol, get it.

Alpha Protocol.
 
Especially against Bullet Storm.

If you play it right you may get both of them for that 10$.

Hopefully Alpha Protocol gets a daily deal. Really want to play it.

@GunslingerPanda said:

Alpha Protocol. Bulletstorm is fucking awful while Alpha Protocol is great, so, duh.

Bingo.