Prototype 2 (2012)

This is how you go out with a bang.

Developed by Radical Entertainment and published by Activision, Prototype 2 is the sequel to the 2009 action-adventure game Prototype. In the original Prototype, a plague unlike any seen before is sweeping across New York and killing people en masse. You played as an amnesiac named Alex Mercer. Voiced by Barry Pepper, Alex Mercer discovered that while he had no memory of his past, he possessed incredible power including shape-shifting, durability, and immense physical strength, the kind of strength that allowed him to pull off such feats like drop-kicking helicopters. Eventually Mercer learns his powers come from the Blacklight virus which is the same virus that is destroying New York. I won't go into the specifics because it's a game you absolutely must play but long-story short Mercer saved the day as all video game protagonists do. Or did he?

Mercer. Heller. Heller. Mercer. Let's get it going.

Prototype 2 takes place two years after the events of the first game and centers on a new protagonist, U.S. Marine Sergeant James Heller. Sergeant Heller is returning home from Iraq and discovers his wife is dead and his daughter is missing. Not only that, but a virus strangely similar to Blacklight is slowly creeping through New York putting the city in jeopardy once again. Worse yet it seems that Alex Mercer himself may be at the heart of it. Heller rejoins the military and after encountering Mercer himself, is thereafter infected with the same virus Mercer contracted. When Mercer informs Heller that the situation isn't what he thinks it is, Heller's world is turned upside by a national conspiracy, a potential pandemic, and a Darwinian conflict that will bring the city to its knees.

Shepherd of Fire

From a narrative standpoint the game is mostly similar to the original. Protagonist gets viral powers and has to save the people of New York from a threat that no one else can stop. Like Mercer, Heller has to fight against the PMC (private military company) Blackwatch and the genetic research company Gentek. However, Mercer has his own faction which rounds out this black waltz and places Heller in a scenario where he can't trust anyone, even those who claim to be his closest allies. Similar to the first game there are plot-twists but here they're presented in a much more logical fashion and it's very effective to boot. The game is good at building a sense of paranoia and I found myself questioning if some of my allies were any different than the enemies I hunted down.

Allies or Enemies?

Cutscenes are presented using both in-game graphics and CG where everything is in black and white, and all colors are muted but red, blue, and yellow. It stands out immediately and gives the game's presentation a unique feel. The story is good enough to keep most gamers interested but it certainly helps that the gameplay is on a level of BADASS few games can touch.

Prophet is that you? This isn't Crysis.

For those who didn't play the first Prototype, it was similar to the Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction which was also made by Radical Entertainment. Prototype 2 follows suit and what this means is Heller can toss cars like they were nothing, rip tanks and helicopters apart with his bare-hands, and take an RPG like a champ. Heller can also turn his arms into claws, giant fists, a viral whip, a blade capable of slicing through a tank and then some. Heller's powers will also evolve when he gains a certain level of experience points which can be used to buy some seriously badass upgrades. These upgrades can be used to improve offense, defense, unlock new moves, and improve Heller's already existing abilities.

IT'S OVER 9000!!

For example, you can improve Heller's accuracy with firearms, his effectiveness at piloting tanks, helicopters, and so forth. There's even an upgrade you get early on that makes Heller completely immune to bullets. It's a good thing too because Prototype 2 throws everything at you. Heller will be attacked by tanks, combat helicopters, a hoard of infected, Brawlers, evolved humans, Blackwatch mercenaries, and the U.S. Army. I've had some truly epic battles in plenty of non-scripted, real-time gameplay scenarios. One of my favorite memories of this game is when I was chasing after an evolved while Brawlers, Blackwatch soldiers, tanks, and helicopters were gunning for me. After hitting a Brawler with a brainbuster, I threw a car at some Blackwatch mercenaries, before leaping over an enhanced soldier, pouncing a helicopter, and tossing the charred remains at a tank before continuing the chase.

Those infected have no idea what they're up against.

The challenge in Prototype 2 may be substantial or minimal depending on how well you play but to a greater extent the game is about empowering the player like few before it have done this effectively. Heller is immensely powerful and early on the skilled player will be tearing apart tanks and taking down helicopters with Shoryukens. The game's story and presentation justifies this level of strength as: 1) Heller is infected with the same virus that made Mercer the most powerful life-form on the planet 2) Blackwatch considers Heller a threat to the entire organization and 3) Gentek considers Heller a potential global threat.

Constantly evolving.

In my playthrough I might have died once or twice but that's largely because I was familiar with the mechanics as they're nearly identical to the first game. But someone coming in fresh will likely find the game challenging and so Heller's OP status probably won't stand out that much for them. I don't think the difficulty or lack thereof is detrimental to the game in any way, but I felt the need to point it out. This game is about power and Heller has that in spades. There are some missions that require stealth but even if you get caught you can usually power your way through and complete your objective.

Can you hear me now?

Similar to other open-world games, Prototype 2 places you in a large, bustling city where you head to different mission objectives on the map. The main missions are given to you by characters you meet who are integral to the plot, while side missions are sprinkled throughout. Completing side missions will not only reward you with upgrades and XP but they'll also reveal additional secrets about what goes on in Gentek and Blackwatch via some very intriguing cutscenes that make use of quick cuts, eerie echo effects, and some disturbing dialogue that really shows how messed up some of these characters are.

Beats American Airlines.

Due to the infection Blackwatch has instituted martial law so some areas are restricted. To enter them you'll need to disguise yourself to slip in unnoticed. Heller will be attacked on sight if spotted by Blackwatch, but if you're disguised as a civillian they won't know it's you. Try walking onto a base however and you'll find yourself greeted by alarms and gunfire. So sometimes you'll need to sneak up to a Blackwatch mercenary or scientist while disguised as a civilian and then consume your target so you can take on their appearance and enter a particular base or area. Some bases have doors that will only work for a particular DNA and so you'll need to find the person carrying that DNA and consume them before being able to gain entry. And you'll need to do it covertly. Things like gliding, jumping off rooftops, and benching cars tends to standout no matter your disguise, so while the game allows you to go all out whenever you want, it's good at building scenarios where discretion is the better part of valor. In addition to an interesting story and fantastic gameplay it helps that the cast of characters is interesting even if leaning more heavily on tropes.

You wouldn't like him when he's angry.

Our main character U.S. Marine Sergeant James Heller is the Angry Black Man of the game but to an extent he has a lot of characterization that goes beyond that trope. Heller is coming home from his tour in Iraq and learns his wife is dead, daughter is missing, and he has to ally himself to the prime suspect to get to the truth. He's been dealt quite the hand and this is without the whole plague thing looming over New York. While Heller is prone to fits of rage we see he's very compassionate towards the people he cares about and doesn't hesitate to help people in need even if he knows he himself will be in a great deal of danger. Some of his dialogue is funny as he can be quite snarky towards people he has an uneasy relationship with, and he never backs down from anyone even Mercer. His angry black man status aside he's actually a good character I found myself empathizing with.

He is evolution.

Predictably enough, Alex Mercer serves as the games ultimate antagonist. Despite being the face of Prototype he turns heel in the sequel for reasons that aren't fully explained. While this is a short-coming of the script, Mercer himself plays an interesting and at times unpredictable villain. He's affable, forthcoming with information, but there's also a sinister, bone-chilling attitude about him when he discusses some of the most horrible plans he has in mind for the human race. His dialogue with some of the other characters also drives home just how dangerous he is because no matter how inhumane his orders are his followers act on them without question. Mercer stays one step ahead of everyone and when the situation between he and Heller reaches its breaking point it leads to a believable and well presented climax.

Talk about complicated.

Dana Mercer returns from the first game and pulls triple duty in not only fighting against Gentek, Blackwatch, and Alex, but also supporting Heller, and serving as a human character in this Darwinian conflict between people who have the potential to destroy the world. She knows what her brother is doing is wrong but she keeps moving forward, fighting against him because it's the right thing to do. She suffers more than anyone else in this story but she never gives up. Her resources and intellect make her the third most dangerous target on Blackwatch's hit list, surpassed only by Heller and her older brother. The gaming community can have their Lara Crofts and Fem Shepherds, but I'll stick with Dana Mercer.

As a whole the game's score isn't outstanding. The music isn't bad by any stretch, I just can't see any major reason to buy a soundtrack. However, I will say "Murder Your Maker", the theme played during the final showdown is not only fitting but very intense.

Available on all systems.

The game isn't perfect. Some of the missions (infiltrating bases, hijacking intel drops) can get repetitive, the motivations behind Mercer's heel turn aren't exactly believable, and if you're looking for a really challenging game you probably won't find it here. But the gameplay is addicting, it has a great presentation, characters that made me care about them, and some truly great battles. A very much appreciated New Game+ feature is also in place to ensure that your powers carry over in successive playthroughs and there are plenty of Blackwatch secrets to collect. If you're looking for a fun action-adventure game look no further.