Alpha Protocol Preview from MSXbox-World

MSXbox-World is offering up their own impressions of Alpha Protocol (archive link), after checking out the game firsthand during last month’s GamesCom event.

Alpha Protocol Preview

We saw a lot of games at GamesCom’09 but there was one which tickled our fancy perhaps a little more than the others, not in terms of graphics as that accolade goes to SEGA’s other game Bayonetta; but for sheer intrigue Obsidian Entertainment’s Alpha Protocol really raised the pulse and looked every bit as enticing as all the developer movies, trailers that have been showcased thus far.

To recap about the game, you play as secret agent Michael Thorton, a man on a mission or two except unlike other more rigid spy games, you are able to tailor Michael to suit your own style. That means, changing his appearance to suit how you would assume the role if you were an agent. The customization might not be as deep as some other games (Michael’s face remains the same) but there’s enough variety to tinker with to keep things interesting enough, especially as you’ll be seeing a lot of your character during the cut scenes/dialogue moments.

Alpha Protocol offers up an action role playing game experience with many facets interwoven to create an intriguing story, dynamic characters and edge of your seat gameplay. We we’re told during our presentation that there will be some 30 hours of story to play through culminating to 7 different story endings. The other thing that’s worth noting about the story is the fact that players can tailor the outcome based on decisions made through their interactions with the other characters. There seems to be a tug of war element where with various handlers and leaders to please or piss off, you’ve got to choose wisely as to who you’ll support, and as always you’re not going to please everyone all the time.

We were shown a mission where a female operative made her presence known and the option was given to execute her or let her live. In this instance the demo showcase that letting her live broadened the story path and allowed her father’s (Albatross) G22 unit to actually aid on the next mission. Had she been killed then a very different path would have been trodden. It’s not just black and white either, kill or be killed. Players will be given enough background info to key characters so that the choices made are well informed and that much harder. It’s this element that makes the game such an interesting prospect filled with opportunity and much replay value.

Michael will travel the globe from Rome to Saudi Arabia meeting handlers in safe houses and interacting with them as more missions are given, yet another layer to the game is how this interaction works and how the player can determine the outcome by controlling Michael’s attitude. During conversations you’ll be able to choose your responses depending on what kind of character you want to be. Indifferent, positive, arrogant, reserved, you name it, and not cosmetic either, because depending on your attitude will determine how you’re viewed by the handlers and NPCs. Push things too far and your standing will take a turn for the worse, say the right things to the right person and you’ll garner a lot more respect and in turn, more info or more rewards (reputation points).

The game offers huge levels of character customisation beyond Michael’s appearance. Not only will you be able to upgrade weapons and armour, but also his skill in terms of what sort of agent he will be. You prefer marksmen, then there are options to be more proficient in this field, you want to be more stealthy, then there are level up options here as well. Something for everyone, and making each game play different from the next, it is an RPG after all.

Our demo showed Michael on board a boat to take out a specific target, it’s interesting that with non important characters you have the option to kill or knock out if you’re being more stealthy. What’s more, the stealth relies more on looking around your surroundings and using cover rather than relying on meters, shadows and such like, making a more visceral experience. The game can and by the looks of things will often result in shoot-outs where stealth is no longer viable, especially when you have to deal with other factions vying for the same objectives as you. The combat seems to be solid enough and with plenty of gadgets and weapons to use means blasting through enemies should be as fun as the rest of the game.

Alpha Protocol is scheduled for release in October 2009 and is looking like an impressive game, so much so that it’s probably the most interesting game we’ve seen coming out of GamesCom’09. We’re certainly very impressed of what we’ve seen and can’t wait to get our hands on for a proper play. Keep your eyes peeled for this game as it will surely be a benchmark game for action RPG fans this Winter.

Preview By: Robert Cram