Prototype 2

An Action Adventure game focusing on a shape shifting protagonist.

Prototype 2 is a sequel Radical Entertainment's smash hit prototype. The game focuses on protagonist James Heller who is searching out a shady government agency and a rampant mutant (from the first prototype) that is responsible for a virus outbreak. Conveniently Heller has a slew of destructive powers ranging from flight, morphing hands into weapons and ingesting people to steal their memories and faces. No time for interrogations, Heller just eats whoever he suspects has useful information. The game plays out through a series of missions and there are side missions, secrets and collectibles to find. All of Heller's powers can be leveled up. The game was released in 2012.

Game Play

Prototype does one thing and does it well. It allows a player to play as a superhuman rampaging mutant able to rip the Gatling cannon off a tank to use against advancing soldiers or punch a helicopter out of the sky. Heller has ready access to most of his abilities via mapped buttons and different abilities can be reassigned easily ( though not typically in the middle of combat ) Missions are given by specific characters that Heller has to seek out, as well there are side missions that can be obtained by hacking into Blacknet, an underground Internet. In addition there are collectible 'black boxes' that are hidden in each of the game city's three zones that will take an hour or so to hunt down, adding some extra time and flavour to the game. Since the game is an open city format, you're free to do whatever you want at any time but the game will only progress when you accept a critical mission. All in all, if you take the time to complete everything in the game, it won't take more than 20 hours.

Presentation

Prototype 2 came out 2012, but visually it doesn't look much upgraded from its 2009 prequel, prototype. It doesn't look bad, just dated and it's plain most of the effort was put into game play and not into visual eye candy. The game is ultra violent, the language is extremely coarse so this isn't a game for the family to play together. There is a story but its generic and is just a vehicle to get Heller from mission to mission

Pros

• Fantastic open world city to explore and destroy
• Combat is fun, varied and doesn't quickly get old

Cons

• Dated graphics
• Lack of a meaningful story
• Length of game is fairly short