Review: Prototype is mercilessly brutal
Prototype is the action hack-n-slash title developed by Radical Entertainment, which is the same studio that created The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction on the Gamecube. Prototype actually uses an upgraded version of the same engine from the Hulk game. Radical Entertainment takes on a new IP with Prototype by crafting a dark anti-hero in search of his past.
Story
Prototype is about the story of Alex Mercer, who has somehow mysteriously gained superhuman powers. Alex is capable of shape-shifting his body parts into lethal weapons as well as absorbing or consuming other people to take their memories.
The story starts out with Alex fighting off what seems like an army in the middle of the city. The story quickly shifts to an earlier period where the coroners at GENTEK are looking at what seems like Alex’s dead body. However, Alex comes back to life and attempts to escape the super secure facility while armed soldiers are chasing him.
Alex finds himself with no memory or recollection of how he came to be with these powers, but soon discovers that he is capable of piecing together what has transpired by consuming his enemies and their memories. Alex evolves over time by gaining new abilities as the story progresses. He will come to find out the sinister conspiracy that surrounds him and his new found powers as he battles the crazed military faction Blackwatch and the mutating citizens of the city.
Controls
The controls in the game are actually fairly intuitive. The game is definitely a hack-n-slasher where you will mash buttons just to string deadly combos. While taking on an army of soldiers Dynasty Warrior-style, things can get a bit confusing at times identifying your target. However, the game does an excellent job at almost sensing which enemy I am trying to lash out to with my attacks.
Alex is capable of picking up pretty much everything in the game from cars to air-conditioning units. The amount of moves Alex can obtain can get overwhelming, with upgrade options that can get as much as 20 per ability. It can get to a point where memorizing each combo to execute a move can get challenging.
The platforming in the game is great once Alex gets the ability to glide across the sky. You will be able to run up walls and jump over buildings on the fly. The game allows you to run at break neck speeds in order for you to get to your destination. The interaction with NPCs can get humorous at times when Alex pushes pedestrians away violently as he walks down the street. You can grab a pedestrian by the neck and run around the city with the NPC dangling from your grip.
Visuals/Design
The game offers a good amount of gameplay time with the main missions. An average gamer should be able to complete the game in 10 to 15 hours. There are side missions which are more like challenges, where you can see how fast you can run from point A to point B. The game is designed as an open world sandbox and allows you to roam around the city creating havoc if you decide to take a break from the main story. However, the lack of actual story based side missions does reduce the replayability of the game.
Gamers will be able to hop in choppers and tanks as well as pick up enemy weapons to use against them. However, instead of free aim the game uses a lock-on targeting system. This is understandable as the game is far from a shooter and more of a hack-n-slash action game.
Prototype looks a bit rough around the edges, but you have to account for the fact its a sandbox game that can get pretty busy at times. Some of the cut scenes are CGI pre-rendered and looks phenomenal like a summer action flick. However, these cut scenes contrast greatly with the graphics from the in-game engine making the transition visually rough at times.
Wrap-up
Overall, Prototype is a fun and exhilarating game. It can get brutal at times with the onslaught of enemies attacking you at once, but this is what makes the game challenging and rewarding. The pacing is great as there are no slow moments in the game. There are times when you will have to be discreet and sneak around disguised as an enemy, but the game also allows you to go commando and take everyone out. Prototype is like a summer action movie that is as fun as a roller coaster ride. I recommend gamers of the hack-n-slash genre to give Prototype a play.
Score
4/5
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38 Responses to “Review: Prototype is mercilessly brutal”
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July 24th, 2009
This game SUCKS.
July 24th, 2009
Jacking helicopters = coolest thing ever.
July 24th, 2009
“This game SUCKS.”
@Ivan PSP
Have you played it Ivan? If so then your entitled to your opinion. If not then reserve your judement until you do so. With that said, it might be worth a rental. Don’t really expect it to be on par with Infamous from the overall reviews of Prototype. Yes I know they are two different games, but in terms of gameplay, story, graphics/design and quality is what I am speaking of.
July 24th, 2009
“Jacking helicopters = coolest thing ever.”
you must have loved Mercenaries 2 then..
July 24th, 2009
Prototype is a fun game while the fun last. assasins creed type of game to me.
hey Mike whats ur PSN ID?
July 24th, 2009
I’m not going to buy Prototype or InFamous (Even if I had a PS3).
That’s all I have to say about that.
July 24th, 2009
Knighthawk:
Yeah i own the game for PC and Xbox bot downloaded free and this game really sucks. The cutscene is the only good thing it has.
July 24th, 2009
Anyone play the demo for Dissidia last night? I liked it.
July 24th, 2009
i downloaded it, but i was too buzy playing Splatters (also a new game on the PSN)
July 24th, 2009
Seriously Ivan/Roca give it up
July 24th, 2009
con – go underneath your parents sink and drink all of the household cleaners, then go play in busy traffic.
July 24th, 2009
what are you talking about CON, ur comments got all mixed up with all ur different personalities
July 24th, 2009
Barnabe,
I played the Dissidia demo, and the best way I can describe it is a “wet nightmare.”
The concept, visuals, and overall execution are amazing and borderline orgasmic. The battle system is just as awful as I imagined it would be. It’s not “broken” or “unplayable” by any standards, but making it a free-moving 3d brawler on a handheld was just not a good idea. Battles are too frenetic, and I feel like I don’t have enough control over my character, particularly when it comes to blocking/defense.
That being said, with enough time invested, I could become accustomed to it and get better. I don’t think I’ll buy it (barely ever buy games outright), but I am looking forward to renting it and experiencing the story, which I know will be absolutely incredible.
-Arvis
July 24th, 2009
This looks like a good game.
I will give it a try before I buy.
If there is no demo then I won’t bother to try it.
I think Sony, MS and Nintendo should make demo mandatory.
This will force the developers to make sure their game is good or they won’t sell or rent any games.
July 24th, 2009
Roca.:
CON just wants attention ignore his ass like i do. I guess he doesn’t get attention on Xbox Live.
I don’t play RPG games they bored me to death. But i own all Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy on PlayStation.
July 24th, 2009
ill be playing it today.
You dont like RPGs, wow
July 24th, 2009
^^^^^^^^^
LOL
WOW
July 24th, 2009
Arivs,
I played through with all of the characters with the exception of Sephiroth, because I ran out of time.
Similar to Smash Brothers, the battles are over the top, and the action can be kind of random. At first I was disappointed that you only attack with one button, but after playing for a while and learning how deep the game actually is, I was happy with it.
I like the way how the battles move in the 3-d environment. The action is insane at times. There was one level (Jecht’s) that just didn’t seem to work well, but the others were great.
Biggest disappointments – Cecil stinks and the charters are not balanced what so ever.
Other that that, I am feeling good about the pre-order.
July 24th, 2009
Oh and you’re right about the defense. I think it’s a lot easier to block while on the ground, when you’re flying through the air it’s almost impossible.
July 24th, 2009
“when you’re flying through the air”
…which is almost constantly. At least in my limited experience with the demo.
So far I’ve only used Terra and Sephiroth. I stayed up til 2am to download the demo, get the latest firmware off my PC, and also fix my white DualShock3 that my girlfriend accidentally broke.
So… I only had time to try two characters. Looking forward to trying more, though!
-Arvis
July 25th, 2009
Prototype is an awesome game. I think I might be getting close to finishing it, every mission lately has been pretty tough.
@ Mike,
I am at the part where you are in Times Square and you have to protect that big blood/gas vapourising machine. I seem to do ok until the really big hunters show up. Is that close to the end of the game?
July 25th, 2009
Yes it is if I remember correctly.
Do you have the armour suit at that point harry?, Just stick that on with the blade and just jump in the air and slice em, thats what I did.
Man I loved that game. Ripping someone in half is the shiz.
July 25th, 2009
“I think Sony, MS and Nintendo should make demo mandatory.”
MS already has demos mandatory for every game on XBLA.
July 25th, 2009
Does that cover retail(store) bought games or is Prototype available to purchase as a DD on live?
July 25th, 2009
No, just most of them. Full retail games on demand won’t hit until a couple of weeks from now.
July 26th, 2009
‘you must have loved Mercenaries 2 then..’
With Mercs 2, I loved the fuel air RPG’s. Just watching that cloud of fuel ignite bought a tear to my eye
July 26th, 2009
“also fix my white DualShock3 that my girlfriend accidentally broke.”
- let me guess, you were gloating after beating her at a game, and she got mad and threw the controller?
Asides from Cecil, I was also disappointed with Terra. I can’t believe she only uses magic. I ended up beating battles quickly with her, but it felt like I was being cheap.
July 27th, 2009
I loved the Dissidia Demo. i didnt think the ca pull it off, but they did
July 27th, 2009
Actually, I was typing a message to a friend on PSN, and the gf came out of the kitchen and tackled me for no good reason! I have hardwood floors, so… yeah, not good for a controller to hit it from a height of more than 4 ft.
But the controller is almost good as new now! The R1 button doesn’t click quite as well as it used to, but that is the only sign of damage any more
As for Dissidia, yes, I actually started really loving it after a few more tries. But my last play-through, I used Terra and won every battle with full health. I didn’t feel cheap, though, I felt awesome!
And she does use some physical attacks here and there in some context-sensitive situations.
-Arvis
July 27th, 2009
I have hardwood floors also. I’ve dropped my controllers a few times. I cringe at the rattling sound they make when hitting the floor, but luckily they’ve manged to hold up.
July 27th, 2009
I damaged a PS2 controler once during a moment of weakness during the ’spikey spinney thing you have to climb’ in God of War (2?)…
It still works fine.. Just all the screws on one side don’t really hold it together anymore…
Yes I know, I suck. I can’t help my rage genes…
July 28th, 2009
I think that was the original GOW. that part was in Hades and it almost ended the game for me.
The balancing on the beams with spinning blades in the temple of pandora portion of hades was also a killer.
July 28th, 2009
I remember that also. I think that was from the first one. I remember that part of the game best, because it took me 20+ tries to get through it… but I finally did.
July 28th, 2009
the hardest was for me was in GoW1.
in the part when u have to fight a 3-head Lion/Dragon.
but while ur fighting against him there are a bunch mini pupies/lions that dont let you get into a good fighting rythm
July 28th, 2009
Taking a small break from Prototype. I have taken CharlieB’s advice and bought Blue Dragon for $30.
I have to say, I am enjoying it more than Last Remnant. The graphics looks great (especially for a game that is 2 years old) and the game is just fun. Last night I popped it in the tray at 7:30pm, next thing I know it’s nearly midnight.
My only gripe is the Pikachu ripoff that prefers to scream rather than talk. If we could kill him like we could Wrex in Mass Effect (In my defense, the ‘Shoot Wrex’ command was a little misleading, I just thought I would shoot his kneecaps out “loan shark” style) then I would be a lot happier.
All in all, a great game, not too heavy at all and a lot of fun. A good game to wet your feet if you haven’t played many RPGs.
July 29th, 2009
phranc, SW, Barnbabe….the guy who designed Hades with the spike columns for God Of War is now the director of God Of War 3…
Just saying…
July 30th, 2009
Blue Dragon
That’s a game I would want to play. I have heard mix things about the game but I like the art style.
November 12th, 2009
Ps2 controllers are horrible. They break REAAAL easy i hope ps3 copntrollers arent like that