Prototype review

November 7, 12:43 AMKansas City Video Game ExaminerLeslie Fink

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Kansas City Video Game Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Photo: Activision

Most gamers get worried when a game as relatively new as Prototype (released on the PS3, Xbox 360, and PC) already has a price drop. Just take a look at Infamous, both games were released around the same time, but it is still going strong at $59.99, while Prototype has gotten the drop to $49.99 (prices based on Best Buy).

There have been mixed reviews on this game so far. To be honest, it wouldn't be hard to pass judgment on it less than halfway through the game. So, the question remaining would have to be... what's really going on with this game?

Certainly, it is recommended that you not attempt this game unless you have a very massive, titanic store patience - a little more than that wouldn't hurt, actually. At it's best points, Prototype is nothing less than infuriating.

The premise of the game is quite intriguing and it certainly has a great deal of potential. Your character, Alex Mercer - pictured above, has the ability to shapeshift by some happenstance you discover within the game. This is enough to warrant investigation of the game, but not enough to make some people want more. It lacks the finishing touches that could have made it an incredible game.

For the most part, the missions you have to complete are incredibly tedious and just keep getting worse as you go through the game. Some missions can easily exceed a half hour's worth of play time, longer if you fail more than once. There are a couple of missions that are downright maddening, just because of the sheer amount of times it takes to get through it the right way. From firsthand experience, I can say this game cost me a PS3 controller, and those aren't cheap.

The mechanics of the game aren't bad at all. The controls take some time to get used to, especially when you start earning new powers and have to figure out how to make everything work together successfully.

When all is said and done... the best recommendation is to rent before you buy. This game is not for everyone (especially with an M rating). At least when you rent, it's only a few dollars compared to $49.99.