We take an in depth look at 'Prototype' due out June 9th.


In Prototype gamers will have the opportunity to take control of Alex Mercer, a man with no memory of his past. The game begins with Alex laying dead on an autopsy table about to be cut open. Alex wakes up and escapes. From there the story revolves around Alex trying to figure out just what the hell happened.



'Prototype' takes place in a beautifully rendered New York City that ultimately serves as Alex's destructive playground, but make no mistake this is no mere GTA sandbox clone. 'Prototype' has been built from the ground up based on Alex's powers and how he interacts with the world around him. All of the game play in Prototype is centered around Alex's superhuman abilities. Alex has superhuman speed, strength, agility, durability, and healing as well as the abilities of consuming his enemies, and shapeshifting. Radical claims that there will be 750 "unique combinations" of the various powers. All of which will help to make 'Prototype' a unique experience on every play through.



When Alex consumes people, he is able to take on their appearance, as well as their knowledge. For example, while in disguise as military personnel, you can convince other soldiers that one of them is Alex. In turn the soldiers will fire upon the falsely accused soldier. Alex can also gain access to restricted areas in disguise as well as use special abilities such as calling in an airstrike if he is disguised as a commander.

If all of this sounds complicated have no fears. The game was designed with fluidity of movement in mind at all times. "Alex will automatically maneuver around or through obstacles or straight up a wall of a fifty story sky scraper, allowing the player to move him with ease using the simplified movement controls". Radical hopes that this will enable players to focus on the deep combat system that they have created for the game.



When Alex consumes an enemy, not only does he gain their abilities and appearance, but he gains their memories as well. This serves as one of the most interesting parts of 'Prototype'. By consuming memories Alex will unlock "nodes of the Web of Intrigue" which in turn advance the story. Alex will also consumes useful skills that will eventually allow him to pilot military vehicles and use various kinds of weaponry.

The Health system in the game is called "Biomass". "Biomass" is not just a simple health system that is used in almost every game. "Biomass" works by Alex consuming slaughtered foes and bystanders, which in turn raise Alex's "Biomass", which can also be used to perform incredibly devastating moves called "Devastator" attacks. These attacks can be performed when Alex has absorbed too much "Biomass" and must set some free in the form of "Devastator" attacks.



'Prototype' defiantly seems like it is shaping up to be yet another blockbuster title for Activison. Developer Radical seems to have crafted a well thought out, deep "Sandbox" game. If all the peices of the puzzle fit together like they should, 'Prototype' could be this coming summers first true hit. Be sure to keep a look out for our review of 'Prototype' when it hits store shelves on June 9th.


http://www.gamingfront.net/article/83/prototype/

I'm so excited for this. Here are some trailers :)

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/47312.html

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/47586.html

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/35541.html

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/35545.html

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/29492.html

Radical - Original Prototype was “too huge,” delay has helped “realize vision”

The bad: Radical’s open-world, anti-superhero blockbuster Prototype has been heavily delayed. The good: it’s now been polished to buggery and pulled back to a more manageable “vision”.
“The extra dev time from last year really was a chance for us to polish, tweak and refine the missions and gameplay mechanics,” executive producer Tim Bennison told VG247.
“The original vision for the game was huge, perhaps a little too huge, so the extra time in development has let us realize that vision.”
The game was originally to release in autumn last year, but was pushed into 2009 last May. It was one of the Vivendi survivors of the Actvision Blizzard merger.
“We’re really excited to launch Prototype in June – it’s certainly been a big project for the entire company here at Radical,” Bennison added.
Keep watching. You’re going to see plenty more soon

Also keep in mind that this is the same team that made Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction. That game was F'n amazing. I'm sad that it isn't another Hulk game, but these guys really know what they are doing.

Also keep in mind that this is the same team that made Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction. That game was F'n amazing. I'm sad that it isn't another Hulk game, but these guys really know what they are doing.

Think of this as a maximum carnage game. that's my main draw.

Also keep in mind that this is the same team that made Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction. That game was F'n amazing. I'm sad that it isn't another Hulk game, but these guys really know what they are doing.

Yes the xbox version I still play from time to time. The one for the 360 was booty.

Yes the xbox version I still play from time to time. The one for the 360 was booty.

Is 'booty' good, or bad? I can't decide if you are going for the 'treasure' or 'ass' definition.

Prototype looks like it'll be cool. Blowing stuff up is fun. :D

Is 'booty' good, or bad? I can't decide if you are going for the 'treasure' or 'ass' definition.

One of those is bad?

Is 'booty' good, or bad? I can't decide if you are going for the 'treasure' or 'ass' definition.

Prototype looks like it'll be cool. Blowing stuff up is fun. :D

that meant bad I think. the Hulk game for the 360 was not made by this team.

Is 'booty' good, or bad? I can't decide if you are going for the 'treasure' or 'ass' definition.

Prototype looks like it'll be cool. Blowing stuff up is fun. :D

One of those is bad?

that meant bad I think. the Hulk game for the 360 was not made by this team.

:D I knew I should have just said ass.

Before Bassmonkeee needs any more clarification it meant the game sucked(no wait he will interpet that for somthing else)
Guys it was just not good game. :D

I'm def picking this up. My type of game. The 10 reasons to get Prototype trailer at gametrailers.com (http://www.gametrailers.com/player/47312.html) was what convinced me.

10 or 12 days away.... anyone excited?

I'm excited and was just searching the internet for new info on Prototype yesterday. The best part of GTA is just messing around in the streets for no particular reason. Prototype seems to take that part and make it, as CliffB would say, bigger, better and more badass. The wonderful toys Radical has come up with are going to be lots of fun.
A post (http://forums.activision.com/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=910) on their Official forum confirmed there isn't going to be a demo. This struck me as odd because I had just watched an interview (http://www.gametrailers.com/video/president-interview-prototype/49580) with Radical's president saying "When you pick up the controller that's when the heart and soul of Prototype comes alive." If that's the case then a demo would be a powerful marketing tool. With this type of game I know technical reasons could make producing a demo very difficult but a part of me sees this as a weakness.
Either way, Prototype hits Europe June 5th so we'll have plenty of user feedback before I can get it in the States. I'm looking forward to elbow-dropping a tank.

it's one of a few games I'm waiting on. No demo is a shame but I'm sold already. Infamous looks ot have done ok but it grows old quickly based on user reviews. prototypes gigantic bag of tricks may provide a better venue.

Hell, im torn between this and infamous. This one seems to be a little more "pure bad-ass" but infamous has been getting great reviews.

Prototype = My Father's Day present

No demo is not a good sign at all to me. If you have a great game, why wouldn't you want to show and ENTICE the general audience with pieces of the experience?! I guess we shall see but no demo most of the time means the game isn't going to be good as one might think.

meh, plenty of great games came with no demo, and plenty of bad games had bad demos, bad games have also had good demos

the choice for a demo doesn't have any impact on how they think the game will sell.

making a demo for a game is basically saying ok wre going to take a couple dozen members of our team who are working on the game and then make them only work on making a demo. then we're going to take 50% of the people testing the game and make them test the demo. demos are a serious drain on talent and time. and unless it's planned way in advance it's likely that forcing demo production into teh games prodcution woudl majorly affect teh quality fo both. If it was between making a demo and having anotehr month of QA testing then by all means they should take the testing time and make sure the product is good.

making a demo for a game is basically saying ok wre going to take a couple dozen members of our team who are working on the game and then make them only work on making a demo. then we're going to take 50% of the people testing the game and make them test the demo. demos are a serious drain on talent and time. and unless it's planned way in advance it's likely that forcing demo production into teh games prodcution woudl majorly affect teh quality fo both. If it was between making a demo and having anotehr month of QA testing then by all means they should take the testing time and make sure the product is good.

Haze comes to mind :D

haze comes to mind :d

ha!

I'm way psyched for this game to come out. I showed a few videos to my wife and she fell in love instantly too, although was a bit disturbed by the gore-filled parts (She's the kind of person who likes to SAVE people in games and stuff -- feels guilty about murdering them lol).

June 9th is the official release date?

I'm way psyched for this game to come out. I showed a few videos to my wife and she fell in love instantly too, although was a bit disturbed by the gore-filled parts (She's the kind of person who likes to SAVE people in games and stuff -- feels guilty about murdering them lol).

June 9th is the official release date?

remind that it's ok all the people are "infected" even though they scream with every swipe of your twisted blade like hands...

I am looking forward to this.

Anyone else surprised reviews haven't starting showing up yet? It's coming out in Europe Friday and in the US next Tuesday. I would think review copies have gone out but the only one I found was in Playstation World which someone was kind enough to bullet point here (http://www.yougamers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=104036&page=2). It gave it a 9/10 but I don't take magazines with a console's name in it very seriously. Maybe E3 is effecting most reviewers focus. Maybe they didn't send out review copies. Maybe something else.

Anyone else surprised reviews haven't starting showing up yet? It's coming out in Europe Friday and in the US next Tuesday. I would think review copies have gone out but the only one I found was in Playstation World which someone was kind enough to bullet point here (http://www.yougamers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=104036&page=2). It gave it a 9/10 but I don't take magazines with a console's name in it very seriously. Maybe E3 is effecting most reviewers focus. Maybe they didn't send out review copies. Maybe something else.

There seems to be an embargo on reviews (one site said until the 11th, which is after the release which is weird to me). That is a bad sign to me, but I'll wait and see.

Normally I'd take a wait and see approach with an embargo on a certain high profile game that is so close to release but I don't know, this seems a bit fishy to me. Something's nagging me and if it turns out to be a mediocre game I'll be a bit disappointed since I kinda anticipated this one. If that's the case I guess I'll get over it and go play some Infamous lol.

Considering Activision's latest actions, I'll wait for some reviews and I'm buying the game used even if it's worth a buy. Screw Activision

All early forum reviews are saying it's an awful game.

Stay away

I talked to an internet friend that has played it for several hours and he said "it's so-so at best", not even close to being as good as Infamous. He said it is very similar to Crackdown with character upgrades and objects like orbs to find hidden through the city. His final comment about it was that it's like Hulk:UD + Crackdown only not as good as either of those.

* almost forgot... annoying camera

Jason

I talked to an internet friend that has played it for several hours and he said "it's so-so at best", not even close to being as good as Infamous. He said it is very similar to Crackdown with character upgrades and objects like orbs to find hidden through the city. His final comment about it was that it's like Hulk:UD + Crackdown only not as good as either of those.

* almost forgot... annoying camera

Jason


odd that he would say that...

aside from the lightning and story, they're almost the same game. i would even go as far to say that everything you can do in infamous, you can do in prototype.(and more) a lot of forums i've been to say that this game is awesome. i can't wait to play it myself.

odd that he would say that...

aside from the lightning and story, they're almost the same game. i would even go as far to say that everything you can do in infamous, you can do in prototype.(and more) a lot of forums i've been to say that this game is awesome. i can't wait to play it myself.

They are not even close to being the same game.
Infamous is a shooter at heart set in a open world, while Prototype is
from what I can tell a beat-em up in a open world.
While they may sound alot alike they really arent.

And the side missions/free roam aspect of Prototype
appear to be just more mindless destruction for the most part
while Infamous's side missions have actual goals beyond mayhem - spying, finding dead drops, resyncing satelite upinks via races, helping police, rescuing people.

And as far as forum reviews go - my problem with them is that people tend to make up their minds as soon as a game is announced that a game is either "amazing!!! awesome!!!" or "pure garbage" "not even worth a rental".
And typically no amount of evidence whether it be videos, reviews or even playing the game wil sway 90% of these peoples opinion.

The gamefaqs Prototype 360 board is a prime example. Pointing out even
legitimate flaws in the game will result in literally dozens of fanboys jumping to
the games rescue - the vast majority of whom havent played it.

P.S.
It seems to me that if mindless destruction is enough to keep you occupied then Prototype will
probably will be great for you. I am not sure it will do it for me.

And I would like to add that AVS is NOT one of the forums where opinions are
predetermined and unchangeable in the face of evidence. I visit several different
forums and felt the need to vent. :)

Watching the preview I think they named the game wrong. It should have been called "God Mode".

Watching the preview I think they named the game wrong. It should have been called "God Mode".

I pretty much agree. It's great to see a game with such a powerful character, but it almost seems like they give you too much power. Seems like there's no challenge. I am pegging this for a mediocre game. We'll see how it turns out with more reviews. I played a demo for infamous and was happy with that, I've ordered it. Prototype needs a demo really, that they don't have one may tell you something.

For those who are interested Toys r us is giving a $20.00 gift card with purchase this week. In store only.

I pretty much agree. It's great to see a game with such a powerful character, but it almost seems like they give you too much power. Seems like there's no challenge. I am pegging this for a mediocre game. We'll see how it turns out with more reviews. I played a demo for infamous and was happy with that, I've ordered it. Prototype needs a demo really, that they don't have one may tell you something.

Yeah I don't mean it as too bad of a thing. It looks sort of like giving a kid a bowl of ice cream topped with carmel, sugar and cafine. It's like a blow-em-up, physics bonaza! Possibly something you would love to do in your favorite game from time to time, but this has it all the time. Too much of a good thing? Maybe. But it will at least be fun for a while!

I pretty much agree. It's great to see a game with such a powerful character, but it almost seems like they give you too much power. Seems like there's no challenge. I am pegging this for a mediocre game. We'll see how it turns out with more reviews. I played a demo for infamous and was happy with that, I've ordered it. Prototype needs a demo really, that they don't have one may tell you something.


since when is having a lot of power not fun? why does there need to be a challenge? i think anyone who ever played crackdown can agree that it no challenge. it was just fun throughout, and after a short while, you became unstoppable. there doesn't need to be a challenge in games like these for them to be fun and enjoyable. crackdowns story was god awful. i'll take fun over challenging any day...aside from sports titles

my buddy who downloaded it says it's great fun. I'll pick it up come wednesday.

my buddy who downloaded it says it's great fun. I'll pick it up come wednesday.

A demo is out?

A demo is out?
Yeah I think thats important. I think the demo was what really sold Crackdown more then anything. If it wasnt for that demo (and the halo beta) a lot of people would not have looked at Crackdown. If prototype is that same kind of fun they need to get that demo out but then they needed to do that before launch and the pro reviews come in and gives it a 7 or 8 (yeah those are good scores but a lot of people treat anything below 9 to be crp....they miss a lot o good games).

Yeah I think thats important. I think the demo was what really sold Crackdown more then anything. If it wasnt for that demo (and the halo beta) a lot of people would not have looked at Crackdown. If prototype is that same kind of fun they need to get that demo out but then they needed to do that before launch and the pro reviews come in and gives it a 7 or 8 (yeah those are good scores but a lot of people treat anything below 9 to be crp....they miss a lot o good games).

Well the game is released today, so there's no way that's going to happen.

And a review embargo + no demo = usually a mediocre game at best. I'm willing to give it the benefit of the doubt, but I'm holding off until I see at least SOME reviews.

Well the game is released today, so there's no way that's going to happen.

And a review embargo + no demo = usually a mediocre game at best. I'm willing to give it the benefit of the doubt, but I'm holding off until I see at least SOME reviews.

I think the review embargo has more to do with trying not to get washed away in E3 news. A poster over at 1up.com asked a similar question and the person reviewing the game said he has had a review copy of the game before E3. He could not give a score, but he did say the game was good.

I think the marketing for Prototype has made it look like a shallower game than it really is.

I think the review embargo has more to do with trying not to get washed away in E3 news. A poster over at 1up.com asked a similar question and the person reviewing the game said he has had a review copy of the game before E3. He could not give a score, but he did say the game was good.

I think the marketing for Prototype has made it look like a shallower game than it really is.

If that were the case they could have allowed reviews before E3 happened. Or just after E3 ended. Of course the hype of a game released right after E3 is going to be diminished, but simply not allowing reviews until *2 days after* the game is released is a bad sign no matter how they want to try and spin it.

If that were the case they could have allowed reviews before E3 happened. Or just after E3 ended. Of course the hype of a game released right after E3 is going to be diminished, but simply not allowing reviews until *2 days after* the game is released is a bad sign no matter how they want to try and spin it.

You mean during the time reviewers would be gearing up for there E3 coverage? Putting a game out during E3 is tricky so I do not see anything wrong with an embargo to try keep your game above the fray. Today most of the sites are still putting up impressions and responding to news from E3.

Yeah I think thats important. I think the demo was what really sold Crackdown more then anything. If it wasnt for that demo (and the halo beta) a lot of people would not have looked at Crackdown. If prototype is that same kind of fun they need to get that demo out but then they needed to do that before launch and the pro reviews come in and gives it a 7 or 8 (yeah those are good scores but a lot of people treat anything below 9 to be crp....they miss a lot o good games).

See, for me the demo is exactly what convinced me NOT to buy Crackdown. There's only what, 4 bosses? I killed two in just 10 minutes or whatever it is on the demo. And is there even a plot? Yeah, there were fun parts, but then it was just the same boring jump/run all over the map.

Now, if Crackdown 2 has monsters and some really good battles and some challenge in it, THAT I might be interested in.

Prototype looks like some fun, but again... for how long?

You mean during the time reviewers would be gearing up for there E3 coverage? Putting a game out during E3 is tricky so I do not see anything wrong with an embargo to try keep your game above the fray. Today most of the sites are still putting up impressions and responding to news from E3.

I think this E3 smokescreen is getting old. They have had the review code for weeks, it would take a day to finish the game. They made an embargo to hide the scores, there is no other way to explan it.

A translation of this:

http://www.gamereactor.se/blog/petter/


"Apparently there's a great anticipation for Prototype. A lot of people that have written to our mailbox have waited with buying inFamous to see if Prototype is the better game. Activision forbids us to talk about grades before Thursday, but I figured I'd hint about my impressions today. I completely understand why Activision didn't want any grades of Prototype to be published before the release date. Prototype reeks of a mushy swamp."

See, for me the demo is exactly what convinced me NOT to buy Crackdown. There's only what, 4 bosses? I killed two in just 10 minutes or whatever it is on the demo. And is there even a plot? Yeah, there were fun parts, but then it was just the same boring jump/run all over the map.

Now, if Crackdown 2 has monsters and some really good battles and some challenge in it, THAT I might be interested in.

Prototype looks like some fun, but again... for how long?

I think your thinking of the mini bosses. There are about four mini bosses per island on Crackdown with one big boss per island.

Well I guess I'll be picking up inFamous, I was holding to see if this game could compete and it looked like it could. But seems that with all of this review embargo bull*hit this game probably sucks, see the kane and lynch or tomb raider fiascoes. Nothing good ever comes from these review manipulations, if the game is a hit there would be no problem letting out of the gate in the middle of apocalypse it'll get the attention it deserves. Here you can see they are trying to build undo attention with this nonsense review embargo.

I think your thinking of the mini bosses. There are about four mini bosses per island on Crackdown with one big boss per island.

should be 7 mini bosses per island, and a main boss.

also, in the demo your leveling is extremely accelerated.... crackdown is one of the best games this generation, anyone who thinks otherwise just didn't give it a chance.... and they're missing out.

many gamestops are receiving and releasing the game today.

See, for me the demo is exactly what convinced me NOT to buy Crackdown. There's only what, 4 bosses? I killed two in just 10 minutes or whatever it is on the demo. And is there even a plot? Yeah, there were fun parts, but then it was just the same boring jump/run all over the map.

Now, if Crackdown 2 has monsters and some really good battles and some challenge in it, THAT I might be interested in.

Prototype looks like some fun, but again... for how long?
All I know is it was the most played item on xbox live for a long time which is pretty impressive for a demo and if even part of those numbers transfer over then they got a big sales boost out of it. Until then people were barely aware of the game...except that it may have Halo beta codes on it.

And I would like to add that AVS is NOT one of the forums where opinions are
predetermined and unchangeable in the face of evidence. I visit several different
forums and felt the need to vent. :)

This is one of the reasons that I like to come here about gaming (along with the original HT reasons)

A mature discussion that does not degrade into a flame war with minimal fanboyisim.

I've been around long enough to know where on the internet you can go and have realistic, thoughtful discussion about things. AVS is one of those places.

It seems that those of us posting here generally bring our maturity to the keyboard.

I just wish I had more time for gaming- and I'm contemplating getting back into Falcon 4 AF (a bad move from the time killer perspective...)

You mean during the time reviewers would be gearing up for there E3 coverage? Putting a game out during E3 is tricky so I do not see anything wrong with an embargo to try keep your game above the fray. Today most of the sites are still putting up impressions and responding to news from E3.

Sorry, but what do reviewers have to do to "gear up" for E3 coverage? Other than wait for E3?

Sorry, but what do reviewers have to do to "gear up" for E3 coverage? Other than wait for E3?

articles don't write themselves. I assume that is what the reviewer time is spent on pre-E3. not to mention the games that are still being released pre-E3 that they still must review. So they have their normal workload and throw the E3 extravaganza on top of that which includes making travel plans, probably a ridiculous amounts of meetings which consist of planning which team members will visit each event at the show and write about it.

knowing some editors/journalists I hear often how they also have to assist or completely do the story layout and art, not to mention web content.

Game is pretty fun, side mission are not that great, just races or finding people to absorb, main story is alright. I would not say it is god mode since I have died plenty when getting swarmed by very stong infected people and shot by rockets but you def have superior abilities that make people with guns wastes of time.

articles don't write themselves. I assume that is what the reviewer time is spent on pre-E3. not to mention the games that are still being released pre-E3 that they still must review. So they have their normal workload and throw the E3 extravaganza on top of that which includes making travel plans, probably a ridiculous amounts of meetings which consist of planning which team members will visit each event at the show and write about it.

knowing some editors/journalists I hear often how they also have to assist or completely do the story layout and art, not to mention web content.

Sorry, but articles don't need to be written PRE-E3, as the news all happens AT E3. And if the argument is that they can't review games before E3 happens because they're too busy with other games they have to review, that makes no sense.

I can understand not being able to review a game that review copies go out during E3, but when stuff like that happens up to a month before the release I can't see that being the problem with Prototype.

And remember, 99 times out of 100 an embargo on reviews for anything (games or movies) means the item being reviewed will not live up to expectations. That's why there were no review screenings of Terminator this summer.

I've been hearing so much about Crackdown lately and wondering why I never tried it. Thank you, this forum, for reminding me there is a demo. Just tried it and it was pretty bloody fun.
I remember Brad Shoemaker, from GiantBomb, mentioning in their pre-E3 podcast that he was hoping to receive their review-copy of Prototype that Friday so he could play it during the weekend. And a few days later updated that it arrived while they were away at E3. Maybe lots of sites are in this situation. But I still remain skeptical.
Every video I watch of Prototype screams my kind of fun. How could that sort of mayhem be bad? Only lots of bugs, bad camera or bad controls could screw it up and given its development cycle I'd be surprised if those issues remain. So I'm still really looking forward to it but waiting on a purchase to hear some informed opinions.
Game is pretty fun, side mission are not that great, just races or finding people to absorb, main story is alright. I would not say it is god mode since I have died plenty when getting swarmed by very strong infected people and shot by rockets but you def have superior abilities that make people with guns wastes of time.
What platform did you play it on and how long did you get with it. Prototype isn't showing on your gamercard so I'm guessing pirated on PC?

Yeah, I bummed there are no reviews of this game. I was looking forward in getting a new game since there's been a drought. However, I want to read some reviews before I drop the bucks on this...

Definitely not a good sign.

What platform did you play it on and how long did you get with it. Prototype isn't showing on your gamercard so I'm guessing pirated on PC?

I played on 360, I have 2 since I play lots of system link games and my main TV died (bulb out on the DLP) so until I get that fixed tomorrow I was playing on my other 360 with my non-gold account.

Some stores do indeed have it today, but you might want to call first ;).

Jason

Gamepro posted a review (http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/210739/prototype/) and they seem to love it.
I played on 360
Cool. Thanks for your impressions of the game.

I pick it up on teh way home tonight, but I also have a magic tourney and class tomorrow night, so feh I'll get to play a little before bed.

got to play for about 90 minutes, first impressions:
GOOD:
+controls make sense and are responsive enough. Interestingly enough teh game slowdown action right when you need it to while in close combat.
+graphics nary a stutter or chug and plenty of action. Textures are pretty good for what's going on in your screen.
+story actually has a decent mechanic for moving forward as you consume certain people related to your plight you gain a key memory(pre cut scene) which then is activated on a map which connects all the dots of the story.
+gore to max
+no broken moral system do what you want.
+you have to collect your powers form other creatures created by the same plague which justifies the very in depth upgrade mechanic.
+speaking of every upgrade is useful in some way and bad ass.

NEGATIVES
-the game pulls the ole' hey look your a god, oh wait no now your weak and have to work your way back to the fun monster you were in the first 5 minutes of the game(though earn the upgrades is really fun and come rather quickly).
-camera goes to crap indoors, the auto lock works well but not well enough when you have 4 walls and a ceiling around you.
-collison detection wonks out at times it will play nice with flying a climbing through the city but when it comes time to grab and consume a tasty solider it can be tough to do while moving.

OVERALl based on only a couple hours, it's decently made sandbox game with a capable and professional structure. Once you unlock the air glide and air dash, travelling becomes really fun and hands on just like spiderman 2 was. The main missons so far have been well done but the secondary missions have just been races so far(tough and overall fun, but just races). Then again you're no hero in this game so why would you be saving people and such. Your in it to become a blood god not save tina's baloons.
lots fo stuff to collect in teh hidden nooks of the city.

Sorry, but articles don't need to be written PRE-E3, as the news all happens AT E3. And if the argument is that they can't review games before E3 happens because they're too busy with other games they have to review, that makes no sense.

I can understand not being able to review a game that review copies go out during E3, but when stuff like that happens up to a month before the release I can't see that being the problem with Prototype.

And remember, 99 times out of 100 an embargo on reviews for anything (games or movies) means the item being reviewed will not live up to expectations. That's why there were no review screenings of Terminator this summer.

articles don't need to be written pre E3? do you have a job or ever worked, or taken a moment to do any critical thinking?

even before E3 starts there is tons of speculation and fanboy hype going on, web traffic at all these gaming sites increase due to that. That increased web traffic allows these sites to sell lots of advertisements. Other than the Christmas season with all the blockbusters coming out this is one of the biggest cash cow times for gaming media. Now if they aren't writing articles PRE-E3 how are they going to cash in? So that means they are working around the clock cranking out as many BS articles as they can to keep all the Cheeto dust covered, neck beard wearing, mouth breathers to come back to their sites often in order to cash in.

in the case of Prototype there is certainly something odd going on with the review embargo. There is no good reason that there aren't reviews of this game.

I am just addressing your idiotic statements like "Sorry, but what do reviewers have to do to "gear up" for E3 coverage? Other than wait for E3?"

articles don't need to be written pre E3? do you have a job or ever worked, or taken a moment to do any critical thinking?

even before E3 starts there is tons of speculation and fanboy hype going on, web traffic at all these gaming sites increase due to that. That increased web traffic allows these sites to sell lots of advertisements. Other than the Christmas season with all the blockbusters coming out this is one of the biggest cash cow times for gaming media. Now if they aren't writing articles PRE-E3 how are they going to cash in? So that means they are working around the clock cranking out as many BS articles as they can to keep all the Cheeto dust covered, neck beard wearing, mouth breathers to come back to their sites often in order to cash in.

in the case of Prototype there is certainly something odd going on with the review embargo. There is no good reason that there aren't reviews of this game.

I am just addressing your idiotic statements like "Sorry, but what do reviewers have to do to "gear up" for E3 coverage? Other than wait for E3?"

I can understand a slight increase in articles pre-E3 due to speculation, but do you seriously want to argue a point that the week before E3 is just as busy as the week of E3? Really? And honestly other than Ars Technica, every single gaming website out there has articles that take maybe 10-15 minutes to write *MAX*, as they are all almost exclusively blog posts now. Just a quick glance over some Joystiq posts during the week before E3, I can't find a single one more than two paragraphs long (only looked at a sample though, not every one).

But using your argument, how exactly does IGN manage to create 5 XBox 360 reviews, 3 PS3 reviews, and 2 Wii reviews during that week (and another 2 on day one of the show), then?

Of course it's a busier time, but to say that reviewers can't do their job because they're *getting ready* for a conference is ludicrous.

First impressions!

This is game kind of strange in the way it's designed.

It starts you off with every power unlocked for tutorial purposes, and then throws way too many informational dialog boxes up at you. It makes you not want to care! Meanwhile you'll basically experienceing sensory overload from the craziness of the extreme jumping, tank throwing, the jumping infestation of bloody mutants and crashing helicopters.

Suddenly everything gets taken away from you and they begin to develop the character while...teaching you more stuff!

I feel like they should have completely removed the into tutorial level and just let the player slowly learn abilities as they unlock them like most games in this genre (which, to be fair, the also do)--but just choose the latter.

About an hour into the game the difficulty ramps up to extreme difficultly (at least for me it was) and out of nowhere. I died 8 times during this specific sequence involving several of the most generic bloody-skinless-Silent-Hill-monster-thingys you've ever seen. It was pointless, boring and left me wanting it to end so I could just get back to the city, runnning and jumping--which, right now, is the only fun thing to do in the game.

Since the comparison will be inevitable with inFAMOUS--I'll go there. These games really are nothing alike. Yes, they're both open-world games with super-powered protagonists, but when you sit down with both games and play them, they feel so different in gameplay, asthetic and atmosphere! Overall I think Cole is a more interesting charcter (even though he's really not that interesting) and the world he travels around in is incredibily more exciting and detailed to play in. Hell, inFAMOUS even has a story that is, at the very least, slightly intruiging too.

But hey, who knows right? Perhaps Prototype will take a drastic turn somewhere and will change my mind. I hope it does because I want to play a good video game.

Oh, and the game's graphics are about as dull as can be. :(

I know that sequence and while I never died I admit it was tough. remeber to eat soldiers when you can to gain health also once you beat the monsters down consume to them to instakill and get pretty much all your health back. as well as a lot of XP. Also have you explored the genetic memory map? I found that it added a bit more to the story and to mercer's chaecter and imfamy.

I can understand a slight increase in articles pre-E3 due to speculation, but do you seriously want to argue a point that the week before E3 is just as busy as the week of E3? Really? And honestly other than Ars Technica, every single gaming website out there has articles that take maybe 10-15 minutes to write *MAX*, as they are all almost exclusively blog posts now. Just a quick glance over some Joystiq posts during the week before E3, I can't find a single one more than two paragraphs long (only looked at a sample though, not every one).

But using your argument, how exactly does IGN manage to create 5 XBox 360 reviews, 3 PS3 reviews, and 2 Wii reviews during that week (and another 2 on day one of the show), then?

Of course it's a busier time, but to say that reviewers can't do their job because they're *getting ready* for a conference is ludicrous.

I honestly think you are vastly under-appreciating the time it takes to plan and cover E3 even for the bigger sites. There is a lot of work that goes on before E3 goes on, and there is a lot more time necessary than just 10-15 minutes to cover a game. You can certainly find all the suspicion you want, but for me it seems more logical that the publisher wanted to avoid being swept away by E3 coverage. Case in point how many of you paid attention to Red Faction last week or the week before that?

I'm still very much enjoying the game. I now have the whip fist and enemies that used to piss me off our now my favorites to pick off from a far. the side quest variety has improved. My favorite is when you have to sneak into a miltary base and stealth consume key military personel in order to operate certian weapons and vehicles(as well as collect air strike tokens). Since the base is swarming with men you have to really sneak around and it made me feel like "the thing". The best part though is the huge XP you gain while collection key personel
B, which you can immediatly spend to slaughter all the soldiers in the base. Then you can go out side and destroy the base for even more XP.
BTW all the unique consume animations(each power has quite a few) are really awesome. My fav is grabbing a dudes head while facing him and kneeing him in the face and your knee immediatly sucks him in.
I had to stop myself in order to do my nightly rock band session.

My fav is grabbing a dudes head while facing him and kneeing him in the face and your knee immediatly sucks him in.
Thanks for the updated impressions. Kneeing a guy in the face and then consuming him with said knee sounds so awesome. Now that the reviews are out I'm sure I'll enjoy it, probably too much. Even reading the lower scored reviews make me want the game. Having a big sandbox with lots of brutally spectacular toys is a partial description of my game nirvana. I'm out of town but will pick it up next week when I return.

This game can be whatever you want it to be really. You can:

1) run around as an old lady picking up cars and running up buildings and then tossing the cars at helicopters / civilians

2) grab a tank and take a stroll through Central Park mowing down pedestrians

3) walk the streets pushing everyone you come into contact with and/or consume them and laugh at the 'YAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!' scream

4) kill the infected and their bases

5) kill the military and their bases

...the list goes on...

I am really having fun with it. It is a true sandbox game. More so than inFamous is.

I ****ing love this game.

The insanity of Crackdown dialed to "11" Snagged it from Blockbuster yesterday afternoon, and haven't stopped playing it since.

It's absolutely brutal, and the animations for consuming people/things are varied with each power and each one is revoltingly awesome. The devastator powers are insane with the amount of carnage they unleash.

I find the controls excellent, once you get used to them. You'll pull off some amazing feats once you get accustomed to the lock on system and button layout. Running up the side of a 100 story building as you launch a civilian at a helicopter, gliding from hijacked chopper to chopper, expertly destroying a group of enemies as you bounce of building after building you really feel like a god, more so than any other game.

The city is pretty generic, but it doesn't matter much since you spend most of the time flying through it at mach speed. I absolutely love the atmosphere once you enter an infected zone... the sky turns a deep red, crows caw and circle, buildings are ablaze, and the sound of absolute mayhem below are astounding. Once you get to the hive, the pure amount of **** going on is second to none. It's obvious why the graphics don't shine in any area, because there's no way they could have captured the pandemonium of these warzones while achieving maximum fidelity. Even with all that the game runs super smooth, with no slowdown or frame tearing evident(there might be some tearing, but I haven't noticed)

I'm renting the 360 version of Prototype, and was hoping you guys could help me out with a sound issue. The game (supposedly) supports 7.1 DTS Neural Surround and my receiver has a neural surround setting, so I toggled the DTS Neural Surround on and switched my receiver to neural surround. The game will seemingly only output stereo sound with those settings, so I switched my receiver back to Dolby IIx to get 7.1 that way. Has anyone else had this problem? Here's my setup: Xbox 360 connected via HDMI to a Sony STR-DG1000 receiver with seven speakers and a sub-woofer.

I have my PS3 hooked up the same way, and have absolutely no problem getting 7.1 out of supported PS3 games and movies. Does the PS3 version of Prototype support LPCM 7.1 maybe? Does the generic neural surround setting on my receiver not work with the DTS version? Is it the game? Is it the 360? Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated.

Played a couple hours yesterday and it was totally awesome! I actually ended up dreaming about playing it more so I'm hooked. I've capriciously concluded this is the best sandbox game ever. The mayhem and insanity is just cranked to the highest I've ever seen. And I've been really surprised at how well the camera and engine keep up, I haven't seen a stutter in the framerate yet. I've seen some graphical and AI glitches but they were all more humorous than anything.
All those poor pedestrians. I've already killed thousands of them but it's so damn fun. Sprinting down a crowded street with your shield out and knocking hundreds of people to the ground while listening to them curse you. Picking up police cars mid sprint, then they engage their lights and sirens, just about the time I jump in the air and hurl them at crowds in Time Square.
Even with all my crazy powers, I'm still dying. The Hunters are the most relentless enemy I've faced in a game for a long time. They are just as fast and agile as I am so it takes some skill to take them down cleanly, especially when they group up. And from what I read I expect the game to remain challenging throughout.
I know the game isn't perfect but right now it feels like it is to me. My productivity is going to take a big hit from this one.
Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated.
Did you turn Neural Surround on in the game's Options->Audio menu? Oh yeah, and congratulations on your first post, you've been lurking for a while :)

Played a couple hours yesterday and it was totally awesome! I actually ended up dreaming about playing it more so I'm hooked. I've capriciously concluded this is the best sandbox game ever. The mayhem and insanity is just cranked to the highest I've ever seen. And I've been really surprised at how well the camera and engine keep up, I haven't seen a stutter in the framerate yet. I've seen some graphical and AI glitches but they were all more humorous than anything.
All those poor pedestrians. I've already killed thousands of them but it's so damn fun. Sprinting down a crowded street with your shield out and knocking hundreds of people to the ground while listening to them curse you. Picking up police cars mid sprint, then they engage their lights and sirens, just about the time I jump in the air and hurl them at crowds in Time Square.
Even with all my crazy powers, I'm still dying. The Hunters are the most relentless enemy I've faced in a game for a long time. They are just as fast and agile as I am so it takes some skill to take them down cleanly, especially when they group up. And from what I read I expect the game to remain challenging throughout.
I know the game isn't perfect but right now it feels like it is to me. My productivity is going to take a big hit from this one.

Did you turn Neural Surround on in the game's Options->Audio menu? Oh yeah, and congratulations on your first, you've been lurking for a while :)

this team took their last game, Hulk: Ultimate Destruction and turned up the awesomeness a few notches.

I still do miss the light-hearted mini games that hulk offered like gamma golf, people baseball, and field goal kicking with cars. The mini games in Prototype don't match up with these no matter how much I like the glider events.

this team took their last game, Hulk: Ultimate Destruction and turned up the awesomeness a few notches.

I still do miss the light-hearted mini games that hulk offered like gamma golf, people baseball, and field goal kicking with cars. The mini games in Prototype don't match up with these no matter how much I like the glider events.
I've enjoyed all the side missions I've tried so far. The glide event was really cool and also the rooftop racing. But I'm a sucker for that kind of stuff, I just wish Radical implemented online leader boards for the events.
I remember watching a friend play Hulk:UD briefly so I'm not sure what gamma golf and people baseball are but they sound absolutely awesome. Do the enemies compare between the 2 games? I'd expect Hulk had military but did it have anything like the different infected types?

I've enjoyed all the side missions I've tried so far. The glide event was really cool and also the rooftop racing. But I'm a sucker for that kind of stuff, I just wish Radical implemented online leader boards for the events.
I remember watching a friend play Hulk:UD briefly so I'm not sure what gamma golf and people baseball are but they sound absolutely awesome. Do the enemies compare between the 2 games? I'd expect Hulk had military but did it have anything like the different infected types?

gamma golf just had a huge ball and you had to hit it with a giant iron girder, the course was the city, so you had to hit the ball down streets, over buildings to a certain location.

people baseball had a different name in the game but I forgot it, but it just dropped guys from helicopters at you. You were on top of a building and just smashed them (baseball style) with an iron girder again and it would record distance.

kicking field goals with cars with probably my favorite though. They'd put the uprights out there and a bunch of respawning cars near you, kick and kick and kick.

Hulk had varying enemies from just regular troops, tanks, helicopters, guys in mech Hulkbuster suits of varying size. There was a hulkbuster small version which was the same height as hulk, they were fast and fun to smash. they didn't pose any threat unless there were like 4 of them and more enemies around. The large hulkbusters were like the size of a two story building.

Hulk UD and Prototype are basically the same game with different skins. Prototype allows for more though like vehicles and weapons. But if you get bored in the future you should pick up Hulk on the cheap. It is backwards compatible and still runs in 720p. don't bother with the 360 Hulk though, not the same team, just a mere imitation.

gamma golf just had a huge ball and you had to hit it with a giant iron girder, the course was the city, so you had to hit the ball down streets, over buildings to a certain location.

people baseball had a different name in the game but I forgot it, but it just dropped guys from helicopters at you. You were on top of a building and just smashed them (baseball style) with an iron girder again and it would record distance.

kicking field goals with cars with probably my favorite though. They'd put the uprights out there and a bunch of respawning cars near you, kick and kick and kick.

Hulk had varying enemies from just regular troops, tanks, helicopters, guys in mech Hulkbuster suits of varying size. There was a hulkbuster small version which was the same height as hulk, they were fast and fun to smash. they didn't pose any threat unless there were like 4 of them and more enemies around. The large hulkbusters were like the size of a two story building.

Hulk UD and Prototype are basically the same game with different skins. Prototype allows for more though like vehicles and weapons. But if you get bored in the future you should pick up Hulk on the cheap. It is backwards compatible and still runs in 720p. don't bother with the 360 Hulk though, not the same team, just a mere imitation.

I still have my Xbox copy which is funny my son just popped it in the 360 yesterday to play. That was one of my favorite games. Yes, stay clear of the 360 version :D

Did you turn Neural Surround on in the game's Options->Audio menu? Oh yeah, and congratulations on your first post, you've been lurking for a while :)

Yeah, it's on. I gave up on that issue and just bought the PS3 version. It has true 7.1 sound. It doesn't have a neural surround option like the 360, so I guess the only way to get 7.1 is via HDMI (on the PS3 version). It's not a huge difference, but if there's a 7.1 option I like to utilize it.

got to play for about 90 minutes, first impressions:
GOOD:
+controls make sense and are responsive enough. Interestingly enough teh game slowdown action right when you need it to while in close combat.
+graphics nary a stutter or chug and plenty of action. Textures are pretty good for what's going on in your screen.
+story actually has a decent mechanic for moving forward as you consume certain people related to your plight you gain a key memory(pre cut scene) which then is activated on a map which connects all the dots of the story.
+gore to max
+no broken moral system do what you want.
+you have to collect your powers form other creatures created by the same plague which justifies the very in depth upgrade mechanic.
+speaking of every upgrade is useful in some way and bad ass.

NEGATIVES
-the game pulls the ole' hey look your a god, oh wait no now your weak and have to work your way back to the fun monster you were in the first 5 minutes of the game(though earn the upgrades is really fun and come rather quickly).
-camera goes to crap indoors, the auto lock works well but not well enough when you have 4 walls and a ceiling around you.
-collison detection wonks out at times it will play nice with flying a climbing through the city but when it comes time to grab and consume a tasty solider it can be tough to do while moving.

OVERALl based on only a couple hours, it's decently made sandbox game with a capable and professional structure. Once you unlock the air glide and air dash, travelling becomes really fun and hands on just like spiderman 2 was. The main missons so far have been well done but the secondary missions have just been races so far(tough and overall fun, but just races). Then again you're no hero in this game so why would you be saving people and such. Your in it to become a blood god not save tina's baloons.
lots fo stuff to collect in teh hidden nooks of the city.

good comment :D

Man I'm loving this game.
I'm curious about everyone's opinion of the storytelling? The story seems to be criticized in every review. I've found the story pretty generic but good by video game standards. What gives it an edge is the Web of Intrigue mechanic. I'm really enjoying catching little bits in each memory and then putting them all together.
Is anyone attempting the Pt(Achieve a Platinum Medal in all Events) achievement? It just seems insane. I've done really well in many of the events and have never received a Platinum. Anyone have a clue whats required to earn them?
And one final question. What is everyone's favorite powers? My favorite is constantly in flux but it's currently muscle mass with the shield. My least favorite is the Hammerfists. They are still fun but too slow and the blade negates most of its benefits.

I really like the storytelling elements...having to consume a person to unravel a little more was a cool idea, and I found myself going out of my way once I saw that little red icon pop up on the map. I do wish they were a little more creative with them, a comic book style cutscene ala inFamous would have been neater than the generic B stock footage they are using.

I found the side missions to be the blandest part of the game, and just kinda stopped doing them. I think you have to earn gold in all side missions before you can unlock platinum.

Not sure if you've unlocked it, but the blade drop was the most useful move in the game for me. It's devastating to hunters and super soldiers, since they don't have an answer for it.

I'm surprised there isn't more talk about this game, it's easily in my running for one of the best I've played this year. It might not be the prettiest, even though it's technically impressive, but the game is so much goddamn fun. My must-play list this summer was Prototype, Red Faction, and InFamous. I finished the first two, and I'm currently working my way through InFamous. So far Infamous is pretty meh, and I had more fun playing through Prototype than Red Faction.

Been having fun with this and Red Faction. Now I have Fight Night 4. Not looking good for me and the weekend. I still need to make it up to the IMAX to see Transformers 2

I really like the storytelling elements...having to consume a person to unravel a little more was a cool idea, and I found myself going out of my way once I saw that little red icon pop up on the map.
Same here. It may be subtle and unintentional but I like how the icon will popup even during missions and events. No matter what I'm doing I always make a b-line for the person.
I still need to make it up to the IMAX to see Transformers 2
That's opening this weekend? I think I'll just wait for the HD D ... I mean Blu Ray. I can wait a couple months to enjoy another of Michael Bay's beautiful asinine turds. Anything to not add to his bulging ego.

Been having fun with this and Red Faction. Now I have Fight Night 4. Not looking good for me and the weekend. I still need to make it up to the IMAX to see Transformers 2

Same here. It may be subtle and unintentional but I like how the icon will popup even during missions and events. No matter what I'm doing I always make a b-line for the person.

That's opening this weekend? I think I'll just wait for the HD D ... I mean Blu Ray. I can wait a couple months to enjoy another of Michael Bay's beautiful asinine turds. Anything to not add to his bulging ego.

every review I've read(several from online critics I trust) have called it utter tripe. and it has not 1 but two charecters who will replace jar jar binks as the most racially insulting and stupid charecters that fans will hate til the end of time. most fo the reviews also acknowledge that action scenes are even harder to follow and the majority of the excessive robot screen time is taken up by robot sidekicks instead of favorites like prime, megatron and bumblebee and such.

every review I've read(several from online critics I trust) have called it utter tripe. and it has not 1 but two charecters who will replace jar jar binks as the most racially insulting and stupid charecters that fans will hate til the end of time. most fo the reviews also acknowledge that action scenes are even harder to follow and the majority of the excessive robot screen time is taken up by robot sidekicks instead of favorites like prime, megatron and bumblebee and such.

with the first movie sucking so much ass it isn't surprising about the second.

I'd rather xbox360bot and Mountain Dew bot kill off all other robots even optimus and megatron. than they can go snowboarding and be extreme while Michael Bay has explosions going off in the background.

Sorry to have derailed the thread but I just read some reviews and I wanted to comment.
The first movie was terrible but I've seen it several times and had fun with it. The second is 2 and 1/2 hours!:eek: What were they thinking! Get in, show some awesome robots and sexy ladies, and get out.
and it has not 1 but two charecters who will replace jar jar binks as the most racially insulting and stupid charecters that fans will hate til the end of time.
This was the thing about the first movie that drove me crazy. Most of the black characters were obscene caricatures. And then, to add insult to injury, the jive talking robot was immediately torn in half during the final battle. Just ridiculous.
I'd rather xbox360bot and Mountain Dew bot kill off all other robots even optimus and megatron. than they can go snowboarding and be extreme while Michael Bay has explosions going off in the background.
Now this is an idea. And with 200 million to play around with, those background explosions would be killer.
On a final note, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen The Game is reviewing surprisingly well. It might be wise to forgo the film and rent the game.
Back on topic, the blade and armor combo in Prototype should be declared the Mess Some Stuff Up Suit.

I'm renting the 360 version of Prototype, and was hoping you guys could help me out with a sound issue. The game (supposedly) supports 7.1 DTS Neural Surround and my receiver has a neural surround setting, so I toggled the DTS Neural Surround on and switched my receiver to neural surround. The game will seemingly only output stereo sound with those settings, so I switched my receiver back to Dolby IIx to get 7.1 that way. Has anyone else had this problem? Here's my setup: Xbox 360 connected via HDMI to a Sony STR-DG1000 receiver with seven speakers and a sub-woofer.

I have my PS3 hooked up the same way, and have absolutely no problem getting 7.1 out of supported PS3 games and movies. Does the PS3 version of Prototype support LPCM 7.1 maybe? Does the generic neural surround setting on my receiver not work with the DTS version? Is it the game? Is it the 360? Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated.

i have the same issue with the xbox version. It said to enable DTS and I chose on, but the receiver still displayed dolby digital. Is there anything I could be doing wrong and yes, i've checked all settings in the xbox settings. Anyone else experience the same?

I don't want to spoil anything for anyone, so hopefully anyone who replies can put it in a spoiler tag, but what is the secret to defeating Elizabeth Greene. Got pretty frustrated and I don't like to spend hours trying over and over. Was making progress but I must be missing something.



On another note, I am really enjoying the game but I have to admit it is very challenging. There are so many combinations and powers to remember and different things work on different enemies.
Even though you have a lot of power, when the military and everything else gangs up...you don't make it very long.

I don't want to spoil anything for anyone, so hopefully anyone who replies can put it in a spoiler tag, but what is the secret to defeating Elizabeth Greene. Got pretty frustrated and I don't like to spend hours trying over and over. Was making progress but I must be missing something.



On another note, I am really enjoying the game but I have to admit it is very challenging. There are so many combinations and powers to remember and different things work on different enemies.
Even though you have a lot of power, when the military and everything else gangs up...you don't make it very long.

The best course of action is to first equip the "armor" ability and keep it equipped at all times to minimize the amount of damage you take. Now head down one of the alleys a block or so away from Elizabeth (this way, her attacks can't harm you) and consume as many people/hunters as you can to fill your health bar to unlock the Critical Mass ability. Consuming Hunters is the fastest and quickest way to do this, but you'll have to weaken them first--the Blade ability can get the job done quickly. Once you've gained enough health for Critical Mass, it's time to unleash your Devastator attack. Now you'll have to get close--but not too close--to Elizabeth in order to unleash the attack, but you'll want to stay just out of range of her appendages attacks. Try staying on the outside of the damaged wall that spans the street and unleash your attack from there (again, by holding X & B on 360, or Triangle & Circle on PS3). This will inflict a good amount of damage to each of her appendages. Now if you upgraded your Critical mass ability, you should be able to immediately follow-up with either one or two more devastator attacks. If these attacks weren't enough to stun Elizabeth, return to the alley to consume more enemies to regain the Critical Mass ability.

After depleting the health of all of Elizabeth's appendages, her main body will fall over stunned. Equip the Blade power and lay into her open mouth-area to deal some heavy damage. Once she comes to, repeat the strategy above until she goes down for good.

That fight is really easy if you have the right powers, but it can be rather long. There's a reason they give you so many tall buildings....I would hit her with the blade drop from the roof, and then retreat back up.

I would wait on the ledge until she shot those green orbs and debris at me(you can be close to the edge and they won't hit you) and then lock on her and jump off with the blade drop. 99% of the time the debris she throws as you're falling completely misses. Once you land, run back up and do it again. I didn't use the armor suit during this, as the speed advantage was needed to get away fast. She'll send a few hunters up every few minutes, which can be used to refill your energy. If you don't have the blade drop, I'm sure any other air drop move should work. I would recommend buying the blade drop asap though, as it makes hunters and super soldiers really easy to drop.

Thanks for the two quick replies

Formula...That was exactly what I was doing, however, I was neglecting to move in for the final kill. Thanks for the very throrough explanation.

Cooter...Good advice, I will try that as well. I have most of the powers/abilities as I spent some time flying around destroying water towers. I do have the blade drop.

Can someone please explain to me what "Genre" of game this is? Is it really a merely a "SandBox" type game, with missions ala "GTA:IV"? I really like the look of Prototype, but if it is just a mission game with LONG BORING TRAVELING SEQUENCES I'll just get bored after 2 hours. I appreciate any comments.

Can someone please explain to me what "Genre" of game this is? Is it really a merely a "SandBox" type game, with missions ala "GTA:IV"? I really like the look of Prototype, but if it is just a mission game with LONG BORING TRAVELING SEQUENCES I'll just get bored after 2 hours. I appreciate any comments.

it's sandbox trhough and throuygh. Yes there are missions but the true fun is in the violence you deal and power your character has. in some respects if you lack creativity you may not find enough to do in the game. If you've played crackdown then you should expect a similar experience.

Sandbox sounds good. If your biggest annoyance is travel time, your character can traverse the entire city very quickly due to your jumping and gliding abilities.

Unless it's cheap, I would also try before you buy. People either seem to hate the game(for various reasons) or love it.

My initial response to this game when I started playing it was "why the hell did I waste money on this game? Why to people think this is good? This is the worse piece of crp I have played since PDZ." However, I did pay full price for it so I figured I better dam well play it, and I had vacation already scheduled. So I am playing along and thinking that compared to crackdown or assassins creed this is lacking. There is no trying to figure out how to climb...just running up buildings *yawn* what is the effort in this.

But then I got the air dash and the glide and by the time I finished story mode some 50 hours later (yes I spent a lot of time just running around the city destroying crp and looking for orbs [have all but 13 of them] and getting the destroy stuff achievements) I think I actually had more fun with this game then I did with Batman.

Sure Batman has better graphics, better sound, better voice acting, better (ok standard comic bookie) story. But this game had, to me, the better fun. The boss battles were better because you could figure out how YOU wanted to approach them. You could do them as quickly or as tactically (aka slow grind) as you wanted (well except one). You had an entire city of doing wicked takedowns and were not limited to waiting for a guy to walk under your gargoyle. Sure you didnt have the cool karate fighting but there were plenty of different moves to master if you like that sort of stuff instead of just pounding X or Y. I just had more fun.

To me the first 20 min - hour were aweful. Having all the power and trying to figure out what the hell is going on and trying to read the tips as your getting pounded on all sides within the terrible red environment. Then having no power and just running up buildings which requires no skill at all. But then the game really REALLY comes into its own. If you like cool massive distruction that can be as mindless or as tatical as you want then this is a good game for you. If Spiderman and Hulk were like this I may have to go back for them, but I will miss Mercers cool powers.

There's no demo for this game yet, right?

I'm really curious about it, but I just played the Dark Night demo and began wondering how the two (if at all) compared. Is this similar in the "punch punch kick" combo style of combat? Or is this more dynamic?

-JR

There's no demo for this game yet, right?

I'm really curious about it, but I just played the Dark Night demo and began wondering how the two (if at all) compared. Is this similar in the "punch punch kick" combo style of combat? Or is this more dynamic?Prototype's definitely much more than just "punch punch kick." But not necessarily for the better. My advice is to track down a copy of The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction and play that instead (it's an original Xbox title on the BC list). Prototype is essentially the same game and it's by the same development team, only Prototype is much, much worse. I'd try renting it first.

EDIT: And, yes, the new Batman game is easily ten times better than Prototype. Prototype is the kind of game you pick up in two years in a bargain bin and play for a few hours before putting away for good.

There's no demo for this game yet, right?

I'm really curious about it, but I just played the Dark Night demo and began wondering how the two (if at all) compared. Is this similar in the "punch punch kick" combo style of combat? Or is this more dynamic?

-JR

completely different... batman is ten times the game prototype is.

prototype is like a really crappy version of crackdown, but instead of law enforcement, you're an infected, mutating, confused guy.... prototype isnt a bad game IMO, but it doesn't compare to crackdown (where it is most similar) and it's not in the same league as batman (which is in no way similar), IMO.

Thanks for the feedback guys. I'll hold off on this for now, and keep my eyes open for a price drop or a used copy.

-JR

I have an unopened copy of Prototype that I can still return. There are so many other good games coming out right now that I'm tempted to exchange it for something else and then rebuy it later when it's in the bargin bin. It will probably drop to $30 before next summer.

I bought this game simply because of how much I liked Hulk:Ultimate Destruction from last generation. But I guess this isn't as good?

I have an unopened copy of Prototype that I can still return. There are so many other good games coming out right now that I'm tempted to exchange it for something else and then rebuy it later when it's in the bargin bin. It will probably drop to $30 before next summer.

I bought this game simply because of how much I liked Hulk:Ultimate Destruction from last generation. But I guess this isn't as good?

it's much better than hulk ultimate destruction.

I bought this game simply because of how much I liked Hulk:Ultimate Destruction from last generation. But I guess this isn't as good?
Clearly formulanerd and confidenceman aren't fans but I really enjoyed Prototype. I haven't played HulkUD but the idea that they took that framework and made it worse is unbelievable.

I've previously given my thoughts on the game in this thread but I'll reiterate: Prototype rocks!! Just navigating the city is fun. The destruction is completely over the top. The enemies match up well. Vehicles are cool. The upgrade tree works. Mixing and matching your different powers mixes up the fighting. And the story is fine. The game has its issues but I don't see how anyone couldn't have fun playing it.

Fun is what matters most to me. That's what I liked about Hulk:UD, it was fun!

Fun is what matters most to me. That's what I liked about Hulk:UD, it was fun!

and it's more fun, there's a larger more realistic city to play in, a wealth of puny humans to obliterate, no moral system to speak of and you actually feel even more powerful than the hulk.

Clearly formulanerd and confidenceman aren't fans but I really enjoyed Prototype. I haven't played HulkUD but the idea that they took that framework and made it worse is unbelievable.

I've previously given my thoughts on the game in this thread but I'll reiterate: Prototype rocks!! Just navigating the city is fun. The destruction is completely over the top. The enemies match up well. Vehicles are cool. The upgrade tree works. Mixing and matching your different powers mixes up the fighting. And the story is fine. The game has its issues but I don't see how anyone couldn't have fun playing it.
Completely agree. May not be the best game technically (Graphics, VO and such) but it is freaking fun. I will warn you though that the first hour or so can be offputting. My initial reaction was "this game sucks" but then 50 hours later I am ready to go back and get more of the achievements. Having all the powers and just running around the city does Rock!

I love just tarzan swinging beteween helicopters. i thought it was great.

If it's anything like Hulk:UD (only better?) then I think I'll keep it. I'll give it a go this weekend.

i think the game is pretty decent, but not as good as hulk was.

if you have it wrapped in the package, and can take it back for $60 while still having plenty of other games to play, i'd definitely wait for the $30-$40 price point.

Yeah, that's probably a good idea. I don't have too much extra time for extra games now anyways. It'll probably drop sooner than later.