Derrick
ლ(ಠ_ಠ )ლ
- Joined
- Nov 22, 2010
- Messages
- 5,085
- Reaction score
- 5
Genetic experiments, conspiracies - sci-fi mayhem at its best
''Open-world” or “sandbox” games are some people’s cup of tea, and not others’. I fall into the latter category – titles such as Grand Theft Auto bore me and irk me with their lack of direction. So, it is a good thing that, going into Prototype, I wasn’t aware of the fact that it is, in fact, a “sandbox” game of sorts. So, here’s a bit of quick background on the story (without spoilers, mind you – this game is too good to spoil in such a manner!).
You assume the role of Alex Mercer, who comes to in a morgue, with no memory – a useful, if not exactly original, plot device. Now, of course, your mission is to determine what happened to you, and by whose hand. The effects of whatever it is that happened to you include superhuman abilities that you grow into over the course of the game. You will use these abilities to deal with your enemies – or to wreak havoc in the city, if you so desire. At first, the story is fairly linear, as your various options are explained to you in something of a tutorial, yet not as condescendingly as most tutorials. Once you have learnt the basics, the city opens up to you, allowing you to enjoy its vastness, its panoramic skyline, its busy streets...
Despite its sandbox nature, Prototype does have a story, but you get to progress along it at your own pace. In fact, digressions are recommended, as that way you will get the chance to develop your skills and abilities sufficiently to overcome your obstacles. Dotted around the city are “events,” which are tests that allow you to further enhance your abilities if you complete them. There are also various objective-based opportunities dotted around the city, as well as the “web of intrigue.” This is a network of interconnected characters, whose memories you get to explore (I won’t tell you how this is done!) in order to uncover the truth behind your situation.
The graphics are good, and include some fairly impressive destruction effects of vehicles, and some of the environment. However, you will need something of a beast of a PC to enjoy it on its highest fidelity! The sound effects are also very immersive, and respond well to the dynamics of the crowds, who react almost realistically to what is happening on the streets. There are also cinematic sequences, which have been put together in an artistically interesting fashion. The character is intuitive to control, and once you get used to the specifics of how he is controlled, you can start pulling off some impressive stunts and manoeuvres, flowing from one stance or action into the next smoothly and naturally.
My one complaint: being designed with a consolecentric mindset, this game has a restrictive saving mechanism, which only allows you to save at certain points – you may end up re-doing quite a bit that you’ve already done upon reloading. Other than that, this game is extremely fun, and highly recommended.
''Open-world” or “sandbox” games are some people’s cup of tea, and not others’. I fall into the latter category – titles such as Grand Theft Auto bore me and irk me with their lack of direction. So, it is a good thing that, going into Prototype, I wasn’t aware of the fact that it is, in fact, a “sandbox” game of sorts. So, here’s a bit of quick background on the story (without spoilers, mind you – this game is too good to spoil in such a manner!).
You assume the role of Alex Mercer, who comes to in a morgue, with no memory – a useful, if not exactly original, plot device. Now, of course, your mission is to determine what happened to you, and by whose hand. The effects of whatever it is that happened to you include superhuman abilities that you grow into over the course of the game. You will use these abilities to deal with your enemies – or to wreak havoc in the city, if you so desire. At first, the story is fairly linear, as your various options are explained to you in something of a tutorial, yet not as condescendingly as most tutorials. Once you have learnt the basics, the city opens up to you, allowing you to enjoy its vastness, its panoramic skyline, its busy streets...
Despite its sandbox nature, Prototype does have a story, but you get to progress along it at your own pace. In fact, digressions are recommended, as that way you will get the chance to develop your skills and abilities sufficiently to overcome your obstacles. Dotted around the city are “events,” which are tests that allow you to further enhance your abilities if you complete them. There are also various objective-based opportunities dotted around the city, as well as the “web of intrigue.” This is a network of interconnected characters, whose memories you get to explore (I won’t tell you how this is done!) in order to uncover the truth behind your situation.
The graphics are good, and include some fairly impressive destruction effects of vehicles, and some of the environment. However, you will need something of a beast of a PC to enjoy it on its highest fidelity! The sound effects are also very immersive, and respond well to the dynamics of the crowds, who react almost realistically to what is happening on the streets. There are also cinematic sequences, which have been put together in an artistically interesting fashion. The character is intuitive to control, and once you get used to the specifics of how he is controlled, you can start pulling off some impressive stunts and manoeuvres, flowing from one stance or action into the next smoothly and naturally.
My one complaint: being designed with a consolecentric mindset, this game has a restrictive saving mechanism, which only allows you to save at certain points – you may end up re-doing quite a bit that you’ve already done upon reloading. Other than that, this game is extremely fun, and highly recommended.