Prototype (video game)
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| PROTOTYPE | |
|---|---|
| File:Prototype Logo.jpg | |
| Developer(s) | Radical Entertainment |
| Publisher(s) | Sierra Entertainment & Activision[2] |
| Engine | Titanium Engine[1] |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 |
| Release | Summer 2009 |
| Genre(s) | Action/Sandbox |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
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. On the Prototype website, a timer counted down to January 8th 2009, when it hit 0 the real website opened with a new trailer and information about the game. The game is without a release date but is stated for release sometime Summer 2009. Prototype is to release for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Microsoft Windows platforms.
A key aspect of Prototype is the 'disguise and destroy' concept which is tied to the protagonist'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, a genetically mutated shape-shifter with no memory of his past. According to newly revealed information, Alex awakens on an autopsy table with no memory of his past. He sets out on a mission to regain his memory and find out what has happened to him. He breaks out of the morgue that he woke up in to roam the streets of New York City to discover the secrets of his past, contacting his sister for help. His efforts are hindered by a virus spreading through the city. The citizens in the infected areas of the city have experienced mutations, forcing military action Project Blackwatch, an elite branch of the military specializing in biological outbreaks, is also sent in to help contain the outbreak. Alex fights both of these groups, constantly searching for any information that might help him piece together his own history.
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 Abilities
Alex is strong enough to throw cars with little effort, run at high speeds and jump great distances. He can climb, run up the sides of buildings and fall from great heights without damaging himself by way of gliding. His signature ability is to absorb the biomass of his fallen enemies. When he does this he gains the victim's memories, knowledge, and can change into their image whenever he chooses. He can also change his own biomass to emulate offensive, defensive or sensory tools.
Consuming Biomass
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 (so he can absorb 100 or even 1,000 years worth of information within the timespan of one week). Consuming dead foes and bystanders augments Alex's biomass, providing him with health and energy to perform devastating moves.
Shapeshifting
Alex's ability to shapeshift manifests in four different ways: Disguise, Attack, Defend, and Sensory. These abilities can be mixed together to provide Alex with several powers at once. For example, Alex could maintain an armoured body while wielding clawed arms and using night vision. Over time, Alex can be upgraded to get more abilities.
Disguise and Stealth
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. For example, if he consumes a soldier he can use his 'patsy' power and say that an innocent bystander is the culprit or freely enter a military base without challenge. Or 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 once Alex starts attacking other soldiers though. The disguise aspect is useless when hiding from the Infected, as they attack humans without discrimination.[3]
Attack
Alex can use standard attacks like punches and kicks that can be charged up for more power and linked together for combos, and enhanced with biomass to do even more damage. 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, hammer-like appendages and sending his claws underground to cause spikes to burst up and impale enemies vehicles. 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 of the ground or cause sharp tendrils to shoot from his body in all directions.[3]
Defense
Alex can alter his body's defenses to resist damage or ward off attackers. Defenses include sharp spines protruding from his back, a forearm shield, and more. 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, but slows his speed.
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, thermal vision (which can double as an Infected Sensor and is the same thing as infra-red) and the ability to track individual enemies in a crowd (similar to Altair's Eagle Vision in Assassin's Creed).
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. Because of the recent delay, it was implied that multiplayer would be included. However, developer Chris Ansell stated in an interview with 1up that there are no plans for multiplayer and they will focus solely on the single player experience.[4]
References
- ^ "Prototype Page". pcgameshardware. Retrieved 2008-04-22.
- ^ "Prototype Page". GamePro. Retrieved 2008-04-29.
- ^ a b Gamespot Prototype Updated Impressions - Super Powers, Stealth, and Combat
- ^ [1]