Shazam!
06-10-2010, 12:21 AM
Alpha Protocol (AP) is an espionage/stealth-action RPG developed by Obsidian and published by Sega, for the Xbox 360 and PS3.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/6c/Alpha_Protocol_cover.jpg
As special agent Michael Thornton, you are initially sent to neutralize a terrorist who shot down an airliner with a stolen advanced missile system. After globe-trotting around the world in your mission, the web of intrigue becomes one of betrayal, conspiracy, and much more.
AP has been in a rough development cycle since I first started hearing about it in 08. Obsidian has made some top-notch games on the coattails of another publisher (KOTOR 2, NWN 2) to fantastic results, but theyre on their own here. The results are not good for a game that was so highly touted and anticipated.
One huge problem for AP is where we are in the gaming process in this generation of HD consoles. In these six months alone I have played some spectacular games. Mass Effect 2, God of War 3, Splinter Cell Conviction, Alan Wake, Red Dead Redemption... these are top-notch thrilling games in different genres that are highly polished. AP tries to do a lot of what some of these titles did (notably ME2 and SCC) and just doesn't stack up against such competition. The bottom line to me is that AP tries to do too much and compared to other games it tries to mirror, it fails miserably.
It has a dialogue system ala ME2 where you can change people's attitutdes and such, but it just feels like it's not natural and cobbled together. It doesnt feel right or flow like ME's did. It works, though.
The graphics are generally mediocre and seem like they should be from 2007. It looks like they had one motion capture model as almost all the characters look and move alike. The animation work is rough and shoddy at best.
http://www.brekground.com/bg2/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/alpha_protocol_leadin.jpg
The enemy AI is laughably terrible. It's so bad and predictable. It's like a PS1 game.
The personalities of almost all of the characters isnt deep. Especially your own. Thornton's voice and acting is wooden, his animation is stiff. He reminds me of a cheap Gabe Logan from Syphon Filter. If they were aiming for Sam Fisher, please stop NOW.
The controls feel clunky. The aiming and shooting is ok, but your gadget/skill/weapon menu is awful to navigate and couldve been much better.
There are minigames like Bioshock and ME to hack computers and disable alarms, but many are frustrating, especially the computer terminals. It should feel like a challenge, not a frustrating chore.
The sound is decent. The story is pretty good. I'll say that much.
There's just very little good to say about it. It's a mediocre title through and through but Ive played worse. If youre expecting what it was supposed to deliver, youll be disappointed beyond belief. If you can tolerate it's shortcomings, it's entirely playable. Just dont play any of the above mentioned games first. Maybe out of a bargain bin for $20, it's worth the playthrough.
4/10
Rated M for Mature- Blood, intense violence, strong language, sexual themes
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/6c/Alpha_Protocol_cover.jpg
As special agent Michael Thornton, you are initially sent to neutralize a terrorist who shot down an airliner with a stolen advanced missile system. After globe-trotting around the world in your mission, the web of intrigue becomes one of betrayal, conspiracy, and much more.
AP has been in a rough development cycle since I first started hearing about it in 08. Obsidian has made some top-notch games on the coattails of another publisher (KOTOR 2, NWN 2) to fantastic results, but theyre on their own here. The results are not good for a game that was so highly touted and anticipated.
One huge problem for AP is where we are in the gaming process in this generation of HD consoles. In these six months alone I have played some spectacular games. Mass Effect 2, God of War 3, Splinter Cell Conviction, Alan Wake, Red Dead Redemption... these are top-notch thrilling games in different genres that are highly polished. AP tries to do a lot of what some of these titles did (notably ME2 and SCC) and just doesn't stack up against such competition. The bottom line to me is that AP tries to do too much and compared to other games it tries to mirror, it fails miserably.
It has a dialogue system ala ME2 where you can change people's attitutdes and such, but it just feels like it's not natural and cobbled together. It doesnt feel right or flow like ME's did. It works, though.
The graphics are generally mediocre and seem like they should be from 2007. It looks like they had one motion capture model as almost all the characters look and move alike. The animation work is rough and shoddy at best.
http://www.brekground.com/bg2/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/alpha_protocol_leadin.jpg
The enemy AI is laughably terrible. It's so bad and predictable. It's like a PS1 game.
The personalities of almost all of the characters isnt deep. Especially your own. Thornton's voice and acting is wooden, his animation is stiff. He reminds me of a cheap Gabe Logan from Syphon Filter. If they were aiming for Sam Fisher, please stop NOW.
The controls feel clunky. The aiming and shooting is ok, but your gadget/skill/weapon menu is awful to navigate and couldve been much better.
There are minigames like Bioshock and ME to hack computers and disable alarms, but many are frustrating, especially the computer terminals. It should feel like a challenge, not a frustrating chore.
The sound is decent. The story is pretty good. I'll say that much.
There's just very little good to say about it. It's a mediocre title through and through but Ive played worse. If youre expecting what it was supposed to deliver, youll be disappointed beyond belief. If you can tolerate it's shortcomings, it's entirely playable. Just dont play any of the above mentioned games first. Maybe out of a bargain bin for $20, it's worth the playthrough.
4/10
Rated M for Mature- Blood, intense violence, strong language, sexual themes