Prototype, the new open-world action game from Radical Entertainment, the developers of Hulk: Ultimate Destruction and Scarface, has been looking pretty good, and will likely only continue to look better as team approaches the 2009 release. However, despite some impressive previews (it's definitely worth checking out Gametrailer's recent exclusive) and taking into account the company's solid track record, I remain hopeful, but somewhat apprehensive.
What's Got Me Hopeful:
As purely an action game, Prototype seems impressive. The anti-hero protagonist, Alex Mercer, is super strong and agile, and as a result, both combat and platforming/exploration elements of the game look promising. The game also allows Alex to "evolve", becoming stronger and gaining new abilities, and some of his powers look devastatingly powerful.
One of prototype's most talked about features is the ability to consume anyone in the city, gaining their body as a disguise, as well as their memories. Being able to shapeshift into anyone in the city could present some interesting ways to approach different missions. The ability also ties in to the game's main plot device called the "web of intrigue", which I'll get back to later.
What's Got Me Hopeful:
As purely an action game, Prototype seems impressive. The anti-hero protagonist, Alex Mercer, is super strong and agile, and as a result, both combat and platforming/exploration elements of the game look promising. The game also allows Alex to "evolve", becoming stronger and gaining new abilities, and some of his powers look devastatingly powerful.
One of prototype's most talked about features is the ability to consume anyone in the city, gaining their body as a disguise, as well as their memories. Being able to shapeshift into anyone in the city could present some interesting ways to approach different missions. The ability also ties in to the game's main plot device called the "web of intrigue", which I'll get back to later.
Also, Radical hasn't disappointed with most of their previous releases. Ultimate Descruction was one of the better superhero games of the last generation, and leaps and bounds better than this year's Hulk game. Also, Scarface was a lot better than I initially expected and though saying the game was "inspired" by GTA would be one hell of an understatement, Radical still implemented a lot of cool and unique ideas here.
What's Keeping Me Apprehensive:
If you're following the game, you'll know by now that it takes place in New York City. At one time, the idea of a sandbox game set in NYC was truly incredible. However, after countless open world games including The Incredible Hulk, Spider-man 2, and of particular note, GTA IV, have used the city as their backdrop, I've really started to grow tired of the idea. Granted, Prototype is different in that the virus actually affects how the city looks, but I'm as of now unconvinced that this will be enough to keep the city form feeling stale.
The web of intrigue, which I mentioned earlier, also has me worried. While it's a genuinely unique way of telling the story, from what I've seen thus far, it consists mostly of a bunch of still images with sound layered on to it. If this isn't the primary way of telling the story, then I won't mind so much. However, telling the majority of a story through slide shows just seems like a cheap cop out that will undoubtedly make the story seem less powerful.
What's Keeping Me Apprehensive:
If you're following the game, you'll know by now that it takes place in New York City. At one time, the idea of a sandbox game set in NYC was truly incredible. However, after countless open world games including The Incredible Hulk, Spider-man 2, and of particular note, GTA IV, have used the city as their backdrop, I've really started to grow tired of the idea. Granted, Prototype is different in that the virus actually affects how the city looks, but I'm as of now unconvinced that this will be enough to keep the city form feeling stale.
The web of intrigue, which I mentioned earlier, also has me worried. While it's a genuinely unique way of telling the story, from what I've seen thus far, it consists mostly of a bunch of still images with sound layered on to it. If this isn't the primary way of telling the story, then I won't mind so much. However, telling the majority of a story through slide shows just seems like a cheap cop out that will undoubtedly make the story seem less powerful.
Aside from the story, one of my worries on the gameplay side of the spectrum is that the game is just too ambitious. Shooting, acrobatics, offensive and defensive skills, shapshifting, etc. While it's certainly good to have ambitions, biting off more than you have often lead to a game feeling tragically unrealized. While I'm glad that the team is taking the extra time to polish the game, I can't help but feel that having all these different mechanics is going to drag the overall quality of them down.
The final potential nail in the coffin is the possibility of no online or co-op. Granted, normally I wouldn't get too hung up on this and granted, perfecting the single player should be their primary objective; however, given the open-world environment and the awesome abilities that the main character has, passing up this chance to do at least co-op, if not full online multiplayer would really seem like a serious loss.
The final potential nail in the coffin is the possibility of no online or co-op. Granted, normally I wouldn't get too hung up on this and granted, perfecting the single player should be their primary objective; however, given the open-world environment and the awesome abilities that the main character has, passing up this chance to do at least co-op, if not full online multiplayer would really seem like a serious loss.
1 comment:
hey, great post, I agree with you. I'm worried all these powers will make the game too gimmicky.. unless it turns out great, I would have rather had the player be a powerful guy with a super nanosuit. Something for him to over achieve humans, but... i dont know. I hope this thing turns out well. and this is one game where graphics will truly add to immersion. I hope the dx9 wont slow the potential down.
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