Prototype introduces itself to
players by immediately blasting them with an urban battleground, one that is
crawling with hordes of frantic zombies and armed forces. In just a few quick
moments, the player is given a taste of the protagonist’s superhuman
abilities. The bizarre Witchblade-like power that
resides within him functions as an amorphous armament, morphing from explosive
whip to smashing hammer just slowly enough to make the transition look cool.
Right from the start, it becomes obvious that Prototype has all the style and
substance of a blockbuster comic-to-film adaptation.
As Alex, the amnesiac antihero,
players will find themselves plowing through Prototype as though thumbing
through a gristly graphic novel. This time, however, the action is yours to
command. Aerial acrobatics allow Alex to dash straight up the side of a
skyscraper, then leap down on a pursuing
helicopter, crushing it with one mighty blow. Lethal blades grow from his
body, letting him careen and carve through civilians and enemies alike. If
Alex becomes injured, he can absorb the essence of fallen foes to rejuvenate
himself. Admittedly, there’s little about Prototype’s gameplay that stands out
as groundbreaking or innovative, but it manages to pull everything off with
enough finesse that even jaded action gamers will find themselves grinning.
Once the extreme epilogue
finishes, the game sends players back in time to Alex’s initial discovery of
his abilities. This not only allows the player to see what kind of treats lie
further down the road, but also grants a brief moment to catch one’s breath,
and master the already impressive array of feats available. Further incentives
appear in the form of upgrades, which allow some abilities to be upgraded and
even new attacks to be unlocked. I won’t spoil anything about what you’ll
discover, but there is certainly no shortage of “Oh my God” moments in
Prototype.
As far as maintaining a consistent
fun factor, I would say that the level layout and gameplay design rival even
that of the most recent Grand Theft Auto. True, Alex isn’t really a wiseacre
thug, but then again, he doesn’t have to be. Why? Because he’s a flying
superhero, that’s why. Mission variety might see the player slicing through
crowds of baddies in the streets, or infiltrating an enemy base with stealthy
disguises. To its credit, Prototype offers tremendous replay value through
such missions, because they can be approached with anything from fiery fanfare
to thoughtful nuance. Not many “sandbox” games can pull this off without
confusing or frustrating the player, but Prototype does it very nicely indeed.
Despite the pervasive violence,
Prototype is generally an aesthetically pleasing game. Impressive audio
effects pound the senses (though a bit repetitively at times), and sleek
animations encourage the player to repeat the same insane stunts over and over
like a tourist visiting a supernatural playground. I spent considerable time
just doing pointless things, like climbing buildings and jumping off,
shattering the concrete below upon landing. That such a simple act should be
enjoyable time and again is surely a credit to the hard work of a devoted
development team.
Some moments in Prototype do seem
a bit too intense, and the gore and language are certainly worth noting if
you’re considering a purchase for young audiences. Otherwise, Prototype is
everything a gamer could want from an action game.
It’s frantic, fun, and stylish. The only complaint I could probably make is
the lack of multiplayer component, but this would have surely drained
resources from the development of an indubitably dazzling single-player
campaign. I cannot overstate the outstanding scope and
replayability offered by Prototype. If you have any interest in action
games, buy this one, no questions asked. You will love it, and be left gasping
for a sequel.
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Gameplay: 9.0
Destructive fury
that can tangle with the top contenders in its genre, but easy to learn and
master.
Graphics: 8.5
Pretty nice
visuals considering the scale of the game, though the weapons steal the show
from the characters at times.
Sound: 9.0
The
soundtrack seems almost too modest, but there’s plenty of aural oomph to make
every battle feel alive.
Difficulty: Medium
Intense battles
and open-ended environments heighten replayability,
but despite all the powers at your disposal, the game feels nicely balanced.
Concept: 8.0
Nothing
here screams of originality, but there’s no denying the distinctive look and
feel of Prototype.
Overall: 9.0
Prototype is an
excellent game for any action lover, without any of the guilty pleasure
provided by lesser titles. It’s smart, stylish, offers tons of fun for your
money. The developers should be lauded for their efforts on every aspect of
the game. A perfect way to start the summer.
