Prototype 2 PS3 review

Developer(s): Radical Entertainment

Publisher(s): Activision

Platform(s): Playstation3, XBox 360, Microsoft Windows

Release date: April 24, 2012

The original Prototype was an exhilarating, open world gore fest that gave players insurmountable powers to wreak havoc throughout Manhattan. Whether Prototype 2 surpasses its predecessor really depends on how well you remember the last title. The game feels more like Prototype Version 1.5, rather than a full-fledged sequel. It’s underwhelming, but far from disappointing.

The Good

-Makes you feel unstoppable

-Nice Graphics

-Great animations

The Bad

-Repetitive           

-Too Easy

-Too Short

-Unlikable protagonist

Prototype 2 tries to set itself apart by making the original game’s protagonist, Alex Mercer, into a villain. We take the role of James Heller, a solider who blames Mercer for the death of his family. A suicide mission serves as a lengthy tutorial, bringing Heller close to Mercer, who then releases the Gentek virus. This gives Heller shape shifting superpowers, but Mercer’s intentions remain unclear.

The darker tone of the sequel hints at a deeper storyline, but the unlikable protagonist and repetitive missions leave a lot to be desired. Heller is hypocritical and his crude attitude makes you feel disconnected from the character.

The visuals are the sequel’s biggest improvement. The city is varied, detailed and boasts incredible lighting. While the character models lack the same finesse, they’re less repetitive than before. The animations are more fluid and Heller’s powers look deliciously brutal. I’m impressed by the steady framerate, which stutters only during the most heated battles.

Prototype 2 gives you powerful moves from the get go, which speeds up the overall pacing but consequently takes away the challenge. The sequel is too easy on the medium setting and the finale is a walk in the park. I highly recommend raising the difficulty in order to fully enjoy the game. Despite some brutal enemies, their attempts at bringing you down are laughable. With such godlike powers, you rarely die in the game, making it significantly shorter than its predecessor.

The mission structure is repetitive and unoriginal. Rehashed mission objectives fail to make full use of your powers, with a handful of exceptions. Every other task requires you to find a scientist or soldier, devour them, and move on to destroying a creature or some generator in a heavily guarded facility. Stealth is required on certain levels, but it feels unrefined and an afterthought.

Side missions are thrown in to prolong the adventure, but they are few and far between. The powers have been overhauled since the last game, with the addition of a very cool Bio-Bomb move that allows you to implant an enemy with biological explosives.  Unfortunately, the wow factor of the original is gone. Everything has a been there, done that vibe and I’m surprised that the developers played it so safe.

Prototype 2 is a real treat for newcomers to the series, but fans of the original might walk away disappointed.  The game plays and looks great, but considering the lack of new ideas, repetitive missions, a wasted story, and the introduction of a cloddish hero, Prototype 2 serves well as a weekend rental, but it's unworthy of being called a true sequel.

Review by Tin Salamunic.

Final Score	“Very Good”	7.5
Graphics	Fantastic environments and great lighting. Fluid character animations make the action look and feel great.	8.0
Gameplay	The movement is very fast, fluid, and fun. Using the powers is a blast but you also feel too powerful at times.	8.0
Story	There are glimpses of potential that are completely ruined by an unlikable, new protagonist.	7.0
Sound	Nothing in the sound department stands out, which is both a good and bad thing. The sound never distracts, but also adds nothing to the immersion.	7.5

Posted in: Activision,Prototype 2,PS3 Reviews,Radical Entertainment