Rise of the Anti-Hero
Sandbox games are extremely popular with GTA, Saints Row 2, Far Cry 2 and Fallout 3 being among the most successful. When made well these games can really pull the player in, engrossing them in a rich story whilst giving them the freedom to take some time out to explore the environment.
You don't have to play nice
When you add super powers to the mix then you know you’re in for a treat. This combination has been done to varying degrees of success with Spiderman 3, Spiderman: Friend or Foe and Crackdown being the top dogs in the superhero/sandbox combination. But this is all superhero stuff. What if you’re the “the bad guy”, or at least act like it?
Prototype is centred on anti-hero Alex Mercer, who wakes up in a military facility with no memory. Mercer has been part of a military experiment which has given him special abilities. Determined to get to the bottom of his memory loss, Mercer steps on to the streets of New York and smack bang into the middle of an already raging war between the Military and a mysterious viral epidemic.
Mercer can slice, slash and club his way through New York
Even thought this is a “superhero” game it’s nice to see that Mercer doesn’t wear the traditional Superhero clobber, instead Mercer favours some comfy jeans, shirt and jacket. Maybe he heard that Lycra and Leather costumes chaff?!
As a result of the experiments performed on him, Mercer has the ability to use his body as a lethal weapon. By altering his hands into a variety of different looks, Mercer can slice, slash and club his way through New York. Each of these ’weapons’ has its own strengths and weaknesses. The combat is extremely fluid and easy to pull off, but despite its ease the combat looks great. Using Mercers claws, you can either slice your enemies or charge up the special move which sees Mercer slam his claws into the ground, to then explode out of the ground obliterating anything (soldiers, mutants, pedestrians and vehicles) in his way.
Another ability that Mercer has is to absorb memories and skills of those he kills whilst slicing and smashing his way to the truth. This is where Prototype really excels above the previous superhero/free roam titles. As you can expand your arsenal of destruction, above your already formidable powers to incorporate tanks, helicopters and guns. As you kill and absorb certain fodder, you absorb the abilities they hold. So absorbing a pilot will enable you to fly a helicopter.
The combat is extremely fluid and easy to pull off, but despite its ease the combat looks great
Close combat is not the only method of inflicting some pain. As you absorb skills you will also be able to get your hands on guns. Not just little pea shooters either. Heavy duty machine guns and rocket launchers can be added to your arsenal when you find the right person to kill. This opens up a whole new way to go on the offensive and also allows you to play as you like as you run, gun, slice and dice your way through New York’s streets.
Good to be bad!
The free running element of Prototype works amazingly well; it’s smooth and effortless. Little ledges on roofs don’t need to be jumped as Mercer will automatically step higher and use it as a launching pad to start a jump. This applies to cars and debris in the streets. You can easily move from running up a wall, to gliding, back to roof top to then leap to the ground to deliver a devastating attack on those below.
Prototype ticks all the right boxes with effortless yet devastating combat, smooth free running and gorgeous and very gory looks. Prototype has come out of no where, and it is shape-shifting up to be something special, and not a bit of Lycra in sight. Thankfully.
Preview by: Tom "Merciless" Daly
Preview Published:17.04.09