Alpha Protocol

1. MarcusManus

   Jun 13, 2011

   10

   I specifically signed up for metacritic to review this game. This game is highly underrated, and from someone who has played games for over 15I specifically signed up for metacritic to review this game. This game is highly underrated, and from someone who has played games for over 15 years now, i think it is an injustice to see this game score poorly. The level of engagement in this game, the storytelling, the detailed files and information intelligence gathering makes this game unique and truly satisfying. This is not a dumb persons game. Someone who is impatient(most of the younger generation) and dislikes reading will not enjoy this game. It can be a shooter, but it is a thinking mans spy game with real consequences to your actions. To play a game that TRULY changes outcomes based on your decisions is an enjoyment to play. Thats what makes it so much fun. Make your choice. stick with it. don't reload or re-save, and carve your own destiny in this excellent game. Steam has it for maybe 30 dollars right now. This game is for someone who enjoyed games like mass effect, the witcher, baldurs gate, splinter cell. etc. Splinter cell was done well, but was defenitely not as immersive as this game, and wasnt as satisfying. I felt a real connection to the characters in this game and knew my actions would depend on them living or not. Control wise, the game is passable and not dazzling. but with a story that really gets you immersed, it doesnt matter. texture resolution is high, and gives faces a level of realism that is good. Its not all about flair; its about style, an intelligent story and a deep plot. Its very sad to see games like this not get a sequel because of impatient, brain dead gamers. Cheers,… Expand

   • 32 of 42 users found this helpful
2. ThanatosMk2

   Jun 20, 2011

   10

   Like all great RPG games, it has a serious number of bugs. The shame of it is Obsidian knew about this ahead of time and shipped it out theLike all great RPG games, it has a serious number of bugs. The shame of it is Obsidian knew about this ahead of time and shipped it out the door with them. Gameplay and storyline more than make up for these deficiencies though.… Expand

   • 1 of 4 users found this helpful
4. AndymanMessiah

   Mar 23, 2011

   9

   Alpha Protocol is a fun, over the top love letter to spy fiction that rewards you for taking the longer route rather than running andAlpha Protocol is a fun, over the top love letter to spy fiction that rewards you for taking the longer route rather than running and gunning.
   
   Voice acting is top-notch and the improved cinematic dialogue is nowhere near the crap Bioware's Mass Effect pulled. Conversations sound and look like conversations.
   
   The problems some players seem to have with this game are horrendously exaggerated. After playing through the unpatched game several times I have to wonder if it's not a whole bunch of faulty computer rigs that causes problems. Not to say that Alpha Protocol doesn't have it's fair share of problems, but absolutely not any more so than other Unreal Engine games. My guess is that Sega didn't give the critics their pile of "ignore all bugs"-money like EA did.… Expand

   • 2 of 5 users found this helpful
5. Antictra

   Mar 7, 2021

   8

   Alpha Protocol is the game of the genre similar to Mass Effect series, but in the "espionage" setting of post cold war "war on terrorism"; IAlpha Protocol is the game of the genre similar to Mass Effect series, but in the "espionage" setting of post cold war "war on terrorism"; I have found it to be done in a very interesting way, giving a player quite a lot of opportunities to change the result of the game. The choices matter in this game and bring consequences; the game still is quite linear and suffers from technical limitations of its engine... still worth to give it a try… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
6. Overvulture

   Nov 9, 2015

   7

   A glorious flop, Alpha Protocol is a highly ambitious project with great ideas but weak gameplay. Sitting in the Deus Ex genre ofA glorious flop, Alpha Protocol is a highly ambitious project with great ideas but weak gameplay. Sitting in the Deus Ex genre of rpg-stealth-action-espionage, it offers a customizable protagonist and a game world that reacts to your chosen style of play and personality to present a long, branching storyline where your choices really do matter. Friends might betray you, enemies might become allies, and the plot has plenty of ways it can wrap up. Stealth mechanics are passable and easily broken by overpowered skills, combat is fairly generic, but between plot and player choice and overall style, it creates a distinct sense of immersion and does a fine job really making you feel like a spy. Frustrating at times, but satisfying, it's worth a look if you enjoy a game you can play any way you want to.… Expand

   • 2 of 3 users found this helpful
7. themediocritic

   Apr 2, 2020

   6

   A 2020 Review - Alpha Protocol (PC, 2010)
   
   Score: 6/10 Mediocrity Score: Mediocrity on a Good Day. While taking it slightly out of contextA 2020 Review - Alpha Protocol (PC, 2010)
   
   Score: 6/10
   Mediocrity Score: Mediocrity on a Good Day.
   While taking it slightly out of context - Christian Donlan with Eurogamer describes it best, "[Alpha Protocol is] a contemporary super-spy mod of Mass Effect...".
   
   Tags: A few words or tags that come to mind are: entertaining, anticlimactic, buggy, bittersweet.
   
   Avg. Time to beat: 13 hours
   Quickest Speedrun: 1 hour, 39 minutes
   
   Ten years after its release, Alpha Protocol still sneaks by with a passing grade. A spy thriller, action role-playing game from Obsidian Entertainment casts Michael Thorton as the spy protagonist. Diving deeper into the world, you'll be split between safe houses in Taipei, Rome, and Moscow where you'll execute various missions. While I found this title to be quite buggy and shallow in some respects, it still managed to entertain and amuse its way into my recommended list - even if narrowly. Many accounts have detailed the many missteps between Obsidian and Sega, but ultimately lack of direction and organization is what led to this release not being more of a slam dunk. Alpha Protocol has entertaining gameplay and the narrative, characters, and dialogue hold up well. Unfortunately where it sags down is in its lack of depth. Many components or aspects of the game either feel shallow and unfinished, or appear to be directly lifted and shifted in from other games (like Mass Effect in terms of leveling up, skill progression, and combat). I feel much today about this game as I did the first time I played it. And In a way, it's satisfying to see that my opinions on some things don't change through the years. I just wish in the case of Alpha Protocol, they weren't so bittersweet.
   
   Pros:
   - Character progression and leveling are rewarding and leave you excited to play further.
   - Shooting the AI like fish in a barrel. It's also a barrel of fun.
   - Reputation system makes conversation and dialogue choices all the more interesting.
   - While minor - cool thematic settings, locations, and safe houses. They breathe some extra life into the game.
   - Great and fitting characters. While there are some exceptions, most play their part well and add an extra bit of intrigue.
   - Unique concept we don't see enough of. Spy action RPG.
   
   Cons:
   - AI is absolutely dreadful and brain dead.
   - Unfulfilling ending conclusion. Especially with the characters outside of Michael.
   - Dialogue options can feel shallow and limited. The responses based on options can be a bit off.
   - The main character, Michael Thorton. I just don't like him.
   - Bugs & Crashing are a present and occurred numerous times.
   - Limitations of stealth and the options to employ it.
   
   It's an odd experience in that I found it entertaining and wanted to keep playing, but on a component level, I found a mess of problems across the board. I think the entertainment in Alpha Protocol ultimately boils down to getting more stuff so you can kill more bad guys, rinse and repeat. Multiple weapons, armor, and gadgets; Lots of which can be upgraded or modified in some way. As you level up and your skills refine, you can really feel the difference in combat and gameplay. It does get a bit repetitive at the end of the game which felt appropriately long. Overall I found the game to be quite entertaining. All issues aside, I still enjoyed Alpha Protocol and would recommend it. Just keep your expectations realistic if not low.
   
   Alpha Protocol is almost exactly how I had remembered; good but not great. A lukewarm, bittersweet, "so close" kind of game. It got some things right, but did a lot wrong - or sometimes even really wrong. Part of what makes Alpha Protocol good is it taking a different approach in being an action spy RPG adventure that has a skill map and leveling up involved. Very standard fare for modern fantasy games, but not for action games and certainly not any spy ones. It's just such a cool and refreshing genre and idea. Unfortunately, that alone is not a sufficient selling point to lure people into playing. It had a rough time during development and had to be majorly redone in parts. I think it shows through in many spots, but for the most part, holds up. I'd fully support either an HD re-release or a new title in the series.
   
   If you're wondering where Alpha Protocol can be purchased, sales for Alpha Protocol halted in Summer 2019 due to expired licenses for music within the game.
   
   If you have any interest in gaming history, I strongly recommend the following article which provides back story and interviews with the developers about the making of the game. It's quite a fascinating read that highlights why some aspects of the game seem so messy or poorly thought out.
   
   https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-09-06-the-making-of-alpha-protocol-obsidians-secret-best-rpg
   
   Thanks for reading!… Expand

   • 3 of 4 users found this helpful
8. sapuman

   Oct 20, 2019

   0

   В принципе, неплохая задумка сделать сплинтер целл с элементами РПГ, колесом диалогов и взаимоотношениями, но благодаря криворукостиВ принципе, неплохая задумка сделать сплинтер целл с элементами РПГ, колесом диалогов и взаимоотношениями, но благодаря криворукости разработчиков получилось забагованное, кривое говно.… Expand

   • 1 of 2 users found this helpful

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