Prototype – Analysis and Images

Prototype is a new “open world” game from Radical Entertainment / Sierra, the makers of Scarface: The World Is Yours, and from the look of the game at this early stage it makes Scarface look like nintendogs.

In the game you play Alex Mercer, a genetically engineered anti-hero, with monsterous powers, who is wandering around Manhattan with a touch of amnesia, worse still a deadly mutating virus is doing the rounds turning the populace of New York into blood thirsty killers, the Army is out in force and control various “safe” sectors of the city, as the rabid horde control others. You must try to find out your own true identity and solve the government conspiracy behind the virus.

As mentioned earlier Alex is a true anti-hero, and is capable of terrible things, his hands aren’t hands at all, they’re massive claws *see gallery*, enabling him to literally cut his enemies to shreds (including the humans) he is also able to extend spikes out his arms which can impale his victims, but that’s only the tip of the iceberg, he can jump over large obstacles crackdown style, run up vertical buildings, he has night and infra red vision, can cover himself in scales which act as a shield and can even channel matter through the ground causing enemies to be impaled on massive spikes that rise up from the surface *see gallery*, but the true icing on the cake is his camouflage skill, he can take the identity of anyone he kills which will truly make the game brilliant:

• Need some extra umph to fight someone? – change into a huge enemy!
• Trying to escape the army? – become a foot soldier and hide out!
• Struggling to kill an enemy? – assume the identity of an army general, access a high security area and steal some better weapons or you could just order an air strike!

Alex will also be able to pick up and use any dropped weapon he finds along with an assortment of vehicles including tanks and gunships.

As mentioned before the city is split into sectors, three in fact:

• Secure Zones – Controlled by the military
• Infected Zones – overrun by mutants
• War Zones – Areas currently under conflict by the Army/Mutants

as you progress through the game these sectors will change hands rapidly, when an area becomes a War zone, you have a choice, either climb a tall building and watch the fun, or join in, pick a side and fight it out which may or may not be to your advantage.

Prototype will be available for 360, PS3 & PC and looks amazing, if it is truly “Open World” (ala GTA) it could be an awesome experience. The game is quite a while off scheduled in for a winter 2008 release , but from the look of it, the wait will be worth it.