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    Prototype

    Game » consists of 11 releases. Released Jun 09, 2009

    Prototype is an open-world action game from Radical Entertainment. You are Alex Mercer, a human transformed by a deadly virus into a virtually invincible killing machine.

    systemlink's Prototype (Xbox 360) review

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    Complete and utter mayhem.


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    Imagine yourself waking up on top of an operating table in a morgue with no recollection of how you got there and the next thing you know, you possess some of the deadliest powers ever imagined. The game Prototype makes you walk, run, and super jump miles in Alex Mercer's shoes.

    Right off the bat, Prototype tries to make that right first impression by letting you sample a few of the many powers you get to play around with later on at the very start of the game. In this introduction, I noticed, combat wise, it played very much so like its spiritual predecessor: Hulk Ultimate Destruction. This look into the future features an infected looking Manhattan run a mock with mayhem all around.

    The narrative of Prototype was something new and refreshing. Basically in the cut scenes, it shows Mercer conversing with a mystery man which takes place near the end of the game when all of Manhattan has been consumed by the infection and he tells him what has happened up until that point. Then, there is what is called the Web of Intrigues where highlighted people are shown on your map so Alex can consume him and see their memories inducing a mini cut scene. I found this very addicting because they are scattered all over Manhattan and with each Web of Intrigue you gained, it developed the story more and more as if they were pieces of an intricate puzzle. Along the way, you meet your sister who is the only person you can trust for now and as you go on more and more twists and turns are imminent.

    Following the trend of sandbox superhero games, the combat of Prototype is slightly button mashy. Then it almost becomes a fighting game of sorts because there are many button combination tailored to each of Alex Mercer's powers. At times, especially later on, combat becomes very hectic as multiple enemies including tanks and the Strike team appear all at once ability to lock-on becomes a slight chore, but the game is forgiving enough that it slows everything down so that you have time to choose your target. Perhaps the cool parts of combat are switching between powers to fit the nature of battle adding some strategy: using the Whipfist to thwart off enemy helicopters then switch over to Hammerfist and elbow drop on the tank below. Should you feel that the battle is too hot for you to handle just run away and at the cue use your ability to disguise as your foes, walk amongst then, and infiltrate their bases. Then there will be times where you pilot vehicles of the military (i.e. the tanks and helicopters). Controls for both vehicles are both easy to pick up and fluid. Last, Alex's most crucial power is his ability to consume people and infected creatures as it is one of the only ways he heals. When Alex has enough health he can unleash his super attacks known as "Devastators" which are these flashy area of effect moves decimating everyone and everything within the area.

    What I really loved about Prototype is that practically nothing is out of your reach. Perhaps a Grand Theft Auto with super powers of sorts is a good description of Prototype. In addition the mission types of the main storyline are new and fun. Never a dull moment as you are tasked to do something different every time. In one mission you are fighting against the military and in another you defending them from the infected creatures. Some of the more fun side missions were the Consume Events where you have to consume a series of targets and you must put all your skills of locomotion to the test by getting to Point A to Point B in the quickest way possible and then of course there's the side mission where it tests you to kill as many Military Forces as you can. Last, being a home grown New Yorker, I thought that they did a fantastic job at recreating Manhattan especially all the iconic places like Times Square to Bryant Park.

    My only complaints with the game are that with so many moves and powers at your disposable the button combination required to perform them sometimes over lap so you may wind up not doing the move you wanted but rather a different by accident. I can't help but whine that on my Standard Definition TV, the text is at times hard to read and even with my reading glasses it’s hard to distinguish what button combinations are needed to perform a new move I bought in the Upgrade Menu. Last, the graphics aren't really all that special and especially nothing like Resident Evil 5 graphics.

    I was very satisfied with Prototype as it fulfilled my needs of a great superhero sandbox games. When it comes to replayability, I see myself playing through it once or twice at best to work on Achievements/Trophies but it's a great stress reliever just causing chaos and fighting the military who don't stand chance to your superior powers. I don't think it quite stands up to inFamous but Prototype is definitely worth checking out and a must for those addicted to super hero games and those familiar with GTA games. If you thought that the mayhem you can cause in Liberty City or San Andreas was crazy, then you haven't tried out Prototype.

    By Russell Butiong - Systemlink Blog

    Other reviews for Prototype (Xbox 360)

      But what is the... prototype? 0

      Prototype arrived ridding a wave of hype, but does it deliver its promises or does instead drown in them? The game tells the story of man, Alex Mercer, awaking in the morgue, with no memories, and a question on his mind:"Who did this to me?"In the meantime, Manhattan is put under quarantine by the regular army and a unknown military outfit, called the Blackwatch Special Forces, due to a misterious virus that spread within the city, turning its citizens into disfigured zombies.Are the two related...

      7 out of 7 found this review helpful.

      The Type of Game that I Love to Borrow. 0

      [Prototype] is the type of game that I love to borrow. There are moments when you are scaling sky-scrapers, destroying tanks, hijacking helicopters, and you feel like an elite, über antihero. And there are moments when you have to do lame repetitive missions and totally suspend your disbelief to swallow the video game-iness of the experience. Bottom line if I haven't caught you attention with these first few sentences, this game is a two week treasure. Play it. It's great. But don't expect ...

      1 out of 1 found this review helpful.

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