Forum Overview :: Alpha Protocol

Bullshit. by Lizard_King 06/06/2010, 6:38am PDT There hasn't been an rpg that attempts and succeeds at choice like this since voice acting took over. If you're looking for Mass Effect (tightly scripted action and events with a few key junctures and variables that don't really change the arc), it's not that. It makes you think that it's System Shock or Deus Ex at first in terms of stat implementation, but it's actually pretty well balanced for not making you incompetent but still having the upgrades matter. It also avoids "just upgrading a number that pops up over the enemies' heads" like Borderlands. If you haven't watched Chris Avellone and his fellow nerds describe the thinking behind it, and why it's not Baldur's Gate or Fallout, it's worth checking out. The writing and plot is Tom Clancy's RPG, but the implementation is interesting enough that it lends a great deal of complexity and flavor to what should be a shallow experience. The action sets up gamey conventions for the Hollywood spy's moves, and for the most part succeeds. The minigames (lockpicking, hacking, etc) are probably the best I've seen in a while (esp. lockpicking), although they do not work as well with keyboard controls. The whining about the hacking is ridiculous...the game gives you many ways to accomplish goals and you can completely ignore huge parts of the game if they are not to your liking. I went full stealth and nonlethal, whereas my wife has apparently decided she is Jack Bauer with even looser ethics and much greater firepower. Both approaches seem to be giving very different results, but the hardest part was just unlearning the pursuit of brownie points instead of making narrative choices. That's a feature, not a problem. The caveat is that if you played the PC version only I could see being upset with it. The graphics are glitchy, and the combat can be frustrating thanks to those problems. The xbox version is far superior in terms of optimization. I would still play it if PC was my only option, but the xbox and presumably the puss3 version (?) are where it's at. Either way, I'm pretty sure the 360 controller is the best way to handle it. Rent, then buy to support the cause.

6.0 on Gamespot by Fortinbras 06/05/2010, 6:15am PDT     There's nobody writing on Gamespot who has an opinion you should trust. Nobody. by Ice Cream Jonsey 06/05/2010, 12:55pm PDT     too generous NT by jeep 06/05/2010, 11:09pm PDT         Bullshit. by Lizard_King 06/06/2010, 6:38am PDT             The game has held up well, almost through to the end by Lizard_King 06/07/2010, 7:56pm PDT             title of presentation: But Thou Must (obviously from dragon quest/final fantasy) NT by Sword of Justice 06/07/2010, 9:22pm PDT                 The end of the game is really classy by Lizard_King 06/08/2010, 5:36am PDT                     It's like a WRPG. ^_^ NT by Jhoh Cause..... 2 06/08/2010, 9:22am PDT             Writing's useless if the play control sucks by jeep 06/17/2010, 2:58pm PDT     6.0 from yatzee also :( by Sword of Justice 06/17/2010, 3:29am PDT         That's what a positive yahtzee review looks like. by Lizard_King 06/17/2010, 5:58am PDT             I refuse to believe Obsidian made something better than shit by Worm 06/17/2010, 6:46am PDT                 You're free to do so. I'd be shocked if you played it. by Lizard_King 06/17/2010, 2:44pm PDT                     Well is it five dollars yet? by Worm 06/17/2010, 7:26pm PDT                         I paid 10$ for EDF by Lizard_King 06/17/2010, 8:05pm PDT                         $7.50 - 20% at D2D. by Lizard_King 12/13/2010, 1:39pm PST                     You and Jerry should talk about games together. Get his AIM. Please. NT by Gutsby 12/27/2010, 9:44pm PST                         He's just kidding, Jerry. No one will get your AIM, nor will they talk to you. NT by Please come back from the river 12/30/2010, 7:10pm PST                             Jerry has been on my XBL friends list for years now by Lizard_King 12/30/2010, 9:29pm PST                             i would enjoy tasting him NT by 0_-0 12/30/2010, 9:40pm PST                                 Hot. I want to have sex with your corpse. NT by Jerry Whorebach 12/30/2010, 10:17pm PST                                     do you know wh o is w a tc hing you now, jerry? NT by 0_-0 12/30/2010, 10:32pm PST                                     I don't know how I got this reputation as a corpse-lover... by Jerry Whorebach 12/31/2010, 1:09am PST     Is it just me, or are the controls for this the most sluggish in any game, ever? NT by Ice Cream Jonsey 12/27/2010, 12:18pm PST         I'm not sure which part of the game you are referring to by Lizard_King 12/31/2010, 8:11am PST             Re: I'm not sure which part of the game you are referring to by Ice Cream Jonsey 12/31/2010, 12:55pm PST                 My warezed version ran like shit so I'm getting the xbox 360 one on ebay by Worm 01/02/2011, 12:42am PST                 The hospital escape is a tiny slice of stupid in big Tom Clancy dumbass pie by Lizard_King 01/02/2011, 1:23am PST