Prototype (video game)
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Prototype (official typeset "PROTOTYPE") is an upcoming sandbox-style action game in development by Radical Entertainment and based on an original IP developed in-house. It is due for release February, 2009 for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Microsoft Windows platforms.
The player controls the character of amnesiac Alex Mercer in New York City, with freedom similar to that of the Grand Theft Auto series, in which the player can visit most locations and interact with the environment while not engaged in missions. Alex will clash with the military, the Black Watch Special Forces, and the Infected (the effects of a mutated viral epidemic) as he works to discover the secrets of his past.
A key aspect of Prototype is the 'disguise and destroy' concept, which is tied to Alex's enemy-consuming and shapeshifting powers. Alex can consume the bodies of those he has beaten and killed, which gives him access to their memories, their experiences, their biomass, and their physical forms. Alex can also shapeshift into more specialized forms for attack, defense, or sensory enhancement. All of these together are intended to give players multiple ways to complete their objectives.
Plot
The main character is Alex Mercer, who is a genetically mutated shape-shifter with no memory of his past. He is hell bent on trying to regain his memory and find out what has happened to him. He breaks out of the lab that he woke up in and starts roaming the streets of New York to find his past. His efforts are hindered somewhat, however, due to a strange virus that has been spreading throughout the city, possibly from the same lab he left. The citizens in some infected areas of the city have been mutated into monsters by this strange virus and the military has been sent in to handle the situation. Project Blackwatch, an elite branch of the military who deals with biological outbreaks, is also sent in to help contain the outbreak. Alex fights both of these groups and searches for information about Project Blackwatch, which he believes is behind both the virus and his new powers.
Gameplay
The gameplay in Prototype is centered around Alex's superhuman abilities. Alex has superhuman strength, speed, agility, durability and healing as well as the abilities of consuming his fallen enemies, shapeshifting his body, and easily moving in the New York City environment. Radical claims that there will be 750 "unique combinations" of powers.
Superhuman Physique
Several aspects of Alex's physique are superhuman. He is strong enough to pick up and throw cars with little effort and can pick up and throw people far away. Alex can run faster than ordinary cars and can climb and run up the side of buildings. He can jump long distances, and can fall from great heights without getting hurt.
Consuming
When Alex consumes an enemy, he gains their memories, their biomass, and the ability to mimic their appearance. Consuming memories will help him unlock nodes of the Web of Intrigue and advance the story. He also consumes useful skills, eventually giving him the proficiency to pilot military vehicles and use various kinds of weaponry. Consuming dead foes and innocent bystanders augments Alex's biomass, providing him with health and energy to perform devastating moves. Each enemy he consumes becomes another form he can use as a disguise. As a result of consumption, he gains their knowledge as well, and can absorb 100 or even 1000 years worth of information within the timespan of one week.
Shapeshifting
Alex's ability to shapeshift manifests in four different ways: Disguise, Attack, Defend, Sensory.
Disguise - To alter his appearance, all Alex has to do is "consume" a victim or an enemy, then he can assume their identity. This can be used to evade pursuit and deceive enemies, if he consumes a soldier he can use the 'patsy' power and say that an innocent bystander is the culprit. If he absorbs a regular soldier he can freely enter a military base without challenge. If he consumes a higher ranking officer, he can freely commandeer military vehicles, call down airstrikes and order other soldiers. The disguise won't work when Alex starts attacking other soldiers.The disguise aspect of his powers however, are useless when hiding from the Infected,as they can see through your disguises.[2]
Attack - Alex can use standard attacks like punches and kicks that can be charged up for more power and linked together for combos. He can also perform advanced techniques like air combat and execution moves which are used to consume people. Alex's body can assume nonhuman forms as well. His offensive transformations include forming clawed hands and blade-like arms, turning his arms into hammer-like appendages that are useful in close-quarters combat, and sending his clawed hands underground to cause spikes to pop up and impale enemies and ground vehicles. These abilities can be upgraded for increased attack power by spending "evolution points". When Alex's energy meter is full he will be able to perform area-affecting "devastator" moves such as causing a large amount of spikes to shoot out the ground or cause sharp tendrils to shoot from his body in all directions.[2]
Defend - Alex can alter his body's defenses to resist damage or ward off attackers. Defenses include sharp spines protruding from his back and a tough shield mounted on a forearm. He can change his skin into armor plating that lets him bash his way through traffic instead of jumping over it and also gives him more protection from attacks.
Sensory - Alex can adjust his senses to perceive things in the environment that normal humans would be unaware of. These senses include infra-red, night-vision, and the ability to track individual enemies in a crowd.
Movement
Movement in Prototype is inspired by Parkour. Alex will automatically maneuver around or through obstacles (depending on his current form), allowing the player to move him with ease using the simplified movement controls. This allows the player to be able to focus on combat, rather than maneuvering through crowds or jumping over cars while chasing a target.
Multiplayer
Multiplayer was originally planned but was later removed from the game due to time constraints. However, because of the recent delay, it was implied that multiplayer would be included. The developers have stated very little about the multiplayer, other than it will be online and co-op.[3]
Tie ins
NECA is producing an action figure based on Alex.
DC Comics will also be making a comic book series on Prototype.
References
- ^ "Prototype Page". GamePro. Retrieved 2008-04-29.
- ^ a b Gamespot Prototype Updated Impressions - Super Powers, Stealth, and Combat
- ^ IGN: Prototype Delayed