Prototype - Xbox 360 (360), Playstation 3 (PS3), PC Previews


	Platform Xbox 360, Playstation 3, PC Genre Action Publisher Vivendi Developer Radical Entertainment ETA October 2008
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Prototype

Developer Radical Entertainment is finally breaking free of licensed properties! And really, the last three games -- aside from the Crash games -- the Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction, Scarface: The World is Yours, and The Simpsons Hit & Run, was all in preparation of their next foray into the open world action genre, Prototype, which is due in the latter part of 2008.

Prototype puts you in the role of Alex Mercer, a shape shifting superhuman, and plunks you in the middle of New York during a viral outbreak. The military -- the Black Watch Special Forces -- is involved, of course, and there seemingly plenty of mutant freaks running around as well. It's a recipe for plenty of action,

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destruction, and, surprisingly because these superhuman games are generally rated "T", BloodRayne levels of general evisceration and disembowelment.

If you wanted to put it into Marvel comic book terms, Alex Mercer is like a combination of Spider-Man (finesse), Mystique (shape- shifting), Hulk

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(power), and Wolverine (slicing and dicing, heightened sensory abilities). He has the ability to fall huge distances and not get hurt; in fact, when he lands he sends out a shockwave, which can flip cars over. Alex can snap light standards with his bare hands and toss vehicles around with ease. There are many videos of Alex running, flipping, and jumping -- running up buildings, grabbing onto helicopters mid-flight, then taking out the pilot... the options are many in such a city as New York. But if that weren't enough, there are also vehicles that can be accessed.

These powers are augmented by his ability to consume human forms and assume their identities, which also allows Alex access to their memories. The ability to consume other identities looks like it will also be the driving force behind the narrative -- government oversight, etc. -- and the way to progress through the mystery of what's going on.

Prototype seems to be on good footing (at least based on the videos available) and based on the experience of Radical Entertainment, particularly with The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction, this will be the next superhuman sandbox hit. While that summation may seem over effusive praise for a game I have yet to actually play, it just indicated how much I'm looking forward to getting my hands on it come October 2008.

- Omni

(April 16, 2008)