Post by Crom-Cruach on Jan 25, 2011 20:23:10 GMT -5
Greetings again my friends, as a change from my usual comic reviews I have decided to review a video-game. Have fun reading 
What the Fuck is this?
Alpha Protocol is an action RPG published by Sega and created/produced by Obsidian entertainement. The same people who were previously the brains behind the now dead Black Isle studios (who produced amongst other gems, Baldur's Gate) and since forming Obsidian, have created games like Neverwinter Nights 1 & 2, Fallout: New Vegas,etc.
The game is an intricate spy-thriller filled with deep and immersive intrigue, playing on a backdrop of world politics to themes of betrayal, greed, deception and justice.
Mechanics wise it is similar in feel to Deus Ex with many ways of playing the game, character leveling up, but fights in a more action third-person shooter style.
The Good:
The story itself is amazing. Very detailed, well thought out as realistic as you could imagine while still allowing a suspension of disbelief to actually get into the idea that you can be a spy saving or ruining the planet (multiple ending and play through paths make the game even better).
The characters and their voice acting are just perfect to their roles, Obsidian once again proves they know how to write goddamn awesome characters. The character interactions as well as the character reveals and multiple ways to develop relationships with them only made the experience better.
These were the two best aspects of the game, without question.
The graphics themselves, in my opinion, while not the best I've seen are very much pleasant to see and well done for the engine the game uses.
The Bad:
The game, game play wise could have used some polishing in the mechanics, playability. It is clear that some portions of the game were rushed (particularly boss fights where some bosses are especially hard because they are able to activate abilities that basically make them immune to damage except against two tools nobody with any experience with shooters will ever think to use as they won't need them to go through the rest of the mission before the boss fight). This is especially true of players who are especially experienced at using head shots with pistols or sniper riffles.
The cameras control could have used a little more time to work properly too. Some of the missions are repetitive as well, which may turn off some players. Character abilities are not at all equally useful either, neither are weapon types (Pistols and riffles are your go to weapons for effectiveness others are just a fancy for style or because you want a challenge, like using SMGS).
Finally some of the stealth, sneaking portions of the games (and there are portions you must use this approach unless you intend to go rogue become a jackass murderer) could have been better done because the mechanics seem half-finished in that regard.
The Final Score: I loved the role-playing/story aspects of this game so much. They were so well done. Some of the scenes were so perfectly executed to make you get exactly the reaction they were looking for (like when your girlfriend gets shot in front of you and you really, really hate the character who does it).
Which to me only clashes with the other aspects of the game (mechanical), that while no completely bad (just fun, with a few noticeable bugs).
I really get the impression this game would have been so much more if the creators had been given the time to actually deliver what they had in mind, only so asshole exec jumped the gun.
Still I recommend the game to everyone. It's worth playing through just for the story and characters and I also do advise against buying it. I have and don't regret it, in fact I will play it again just to see the alternate endings.
Furthermore, there is another reason why I recommend this game to others. It clearly has so much potential, so much that was in the mind of obsidian when they made it but just weren't given the opportunity to deliver. Alpha Protocol deserves a sequel, a better one then the first. Done right with the depth the story aspects have given to every portion of the game. And that will only happen if enough gamers buy it.
Final score 8.5 out of 10, mostly as said before because of the story.
What the Fuck is this?
Alpha Protocol is an action RPG published by Sega and created/produced by Obsidian entertainement. The same people who were previously the brains behind the now dead Black Isle studios (who produced amongst other gems, Baldur's Gate) and since forming Obsidian, have created games like Neverwinter Nights 1 & 2, Fallout: New Vegas,etc.
The game is an intricate spy-thriller filled with deep and immersive intrigue, playing on a backdrop of world politics to themes of betrayal, greed, deception and justice.
Mechanics wise it is similar in feel to Deus Ex with many ways of playing the game, character leveling up, but fights in a more action third-person shooter style.
The Good:
The story itself is amazing. Very detailed, well thought out as realistic as you could imagine while still allowing a suspension of disbelief to actually get into the idea that you can be a spy saving or ruining the planet (multiple ending and play through paths make the game even better).
The characters and their voice acting are just perfect to their roles, Obsidian once again proves they know how to write goddamn awesome characters. The character interactions as well as the character reveals and multiple ways to develop relationships with them only made the experience better.
These were the two best aspects of the game, without question.
The graphics themselves, in my opinion, while not the best I've seen are very much pleasant to see and well done for the engine the game uses.
The Bad:
The game, game play wise could have used some polishing in the mechanics, playability. It is clear that some portions of the game were rushed (particularly boss fights where some bosses are especially hard because they are able to activate abilities that basically make them immune to damage except against two tools nobody with any experience with shooters will ever think to use as they won't need them to go through the rest of the mission before the boss fight). This is especially true of players who are especially experienced at using head shots with pistols or sniper riffles.
The cameras control could have used a little more time to work properly too. Some of the missions are repetitive as well, which may turn off some players. Character abilities are not at all equally useful either, neither are weapon types (Pistols and riffles are your go to weapons for effectiveness others are just a fancy for style or because you want a challenge, like using SMGS).
Finally some of the stealth, sneaking portions of the games (and there are portions you must use this approach unless you intend to go rogue become a jackass murderer) could have been better done because the mechanics seem half-finished in that regard.
The Final Score: I loved the role-playing/story aspects of this game so much. They were so well done. Some of the scenes were so perfectly executed to make you get exactly the reaction they were looking for (like when your girlfriend gets shot in front of you and you really, really hate the character who does it).
Which to me only clashes with the other aspects of the game (mechanical), that while no completely bad (just fun, with a few noticeable bugs).
I really get the impression this game would have been so much more if the creators had been given the time to actually deliver what they had in mind, only so asshole exec jumped the gun.
Still I recommend the game to everyone. It's worth playing through just for the story and characters and I also do advise against buying it. I have and don't regret it, in fact I will play it again just to see the alternate endings.
Furthermore, there is another reason why I recommend this game to others. It clearly has so much potential, so much that was in the mind of obsidian when they made it but just weren't given the opportunity to deliver. Alpha Protocol deserves a sequel, a better one then the first. Done right with the depth the story aspects have given to every portion of the game. And that will only happen if enough gamers buy it.
Final score 8.5 out of 10, mostly as said before because of the story.
