'Prototype' video game review

You've got superpowers in the palm of your hand in this mutant mayhem game

Paul Semel

Posted July 1, 2009

Special to Metromix

Developer: Radical Entertainment (“The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction”)
Publisher: Activision Blizzard
Available On: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC
Reviewed On: Xbox 360

With a mutant anti-hero running around an open city, spending his time trying to figure out what happened to him and fighting mutants, the third-person action game “Prototype” sounds a lot like the recent “inFAMOUS” (and the last couple “Hulk” games…and the last bunch of “Spider-Man” games…). But while the two are similar enough that you might not want to play them back-to-back—perhaps a nice racing game will cleanse your palette—there are enough differences to keep these games from being redundant.

In “Prototype,” a virus has turned some New Yorkers into zombie-like mutants and monsters, and the military has moved in to restore order. You, however, don’t play a member of the military, but as a superpowered mutant who hasn’t lost his humanity. Instead, you’ve gained the ability to morph your hands into super sharp claws, blades and spikes. Which is handy (see what we did there?), since neither the mutants nor the military like you very much.

How you got this way, though, is a mystery. One you have to solve through exploration, information gathering and shape-shifting yourself into other people so you can get into otherwise inaccessible places…which you then explore while gathering information.

But while “inFAMOUS” played like a shooter (and your powers were rather Jedi-esque), and “Prototype” is a hack & slasher (and your powers are rather Wolverine-esque), these games are otherwise pretty similar. Both are set in “Grand Theft Auto”-like open worlds that are easily navigated but still rather huge, with areas you have to clear out or take over. There are also plenty of side missions that will give you great insight into your predicament, as well as stronger powers. More importantly, “Prototype,” like “inFAMOUS,” has tight controls, plenty of enemies to battle and a story engaging enough to keep you playing.

What keeps them from being redundant, though, is the aforementioned combat. Because of it, “Prototype” ends up feeling a lot more visceral and action movie-esque (not to mention bloody). It also, when coupled with the way you navigate up and around Manhattan’s skyscrapers by leaps and bounds—not to mention that said skyscrapers are Manhattan’s, and not some generic city’s—makes “Prototype” feel more like such Spider-Man games as last year’s underrated “Web of Shadows.” You can even morph your hands into super strong fists that resemble the metal gloves the Hulk always makes in his games by smashing two cars together.

Bottom Line: Like “inFAMOUS,” this action game also has some truly electrifying moments.