ALPHA PROTOCOL

[FiOth]

What happened to ALPHA PROTOCOL is surely the worst crime committed against gaming since the abandonment of the Dreamcast by SEGA...

Seriously. As a dedicated RPGer I had pre-ordered the game quite some time before its release but decided to cancel since I read a lot of overwhelmingly negative reviews. Little did I know about how epidermic the judgment of most "journalists" has become these days and how easy it is for a game to fall under the radar - and the public's good graces - if it doesn't include flashy tech and exposed breasts...

It's not the pretties game you've ever played, not by a longshot. But interesting artistic direction and abundance of different locales keep things interesting

First things first, this is an RPG experience to the core. The amount of decision-making and serious consequences you will have to face is such that it makes most of the other big competitors in the genre seem simplistic and predictable in comparison. Don't take this the wrong way, I absolutely LOVE titles like Dragon Age: Origins, Fallout 3/ New Vegas and Mass Effect - I personally consider the second installment the best western non-free-roaming RPG of all time - but really, here the stakes in terms of what you do and what you can expect are MUCH higher. Who lives and who dies, who will be the games main villain and who will be your partner are just some examples. Suffice to say, there is a ton of replayability here and to witness each outcome one will have to plan carefully and dedicate lots of time.

I could really go on forever about the game's graces, but of course it's not all bags of gold and rainbows. The game's tech is pretty archaic - it positively looks like an average XBOX title from 2005 - and some of the mechanics are quite problematic. Worst of all, the AI is totally unpredictable, in the worst possible way. Enemies will spot you without seeing you, they will react by lobbing grenades and shouting profanities just as they go down from a bullet. It gets old fast.

The game's progression system borrows heavily from BioWare's masterpiece. Well, nothing bad in using something that works, lack of inspiration aside

But apart from all this, AP is really a rough diamond like few we've ever seen. It wouldn't be an overstatement to call it one of the 10 best RPGs I've ever played and believe me, I've played most.

So if you consider yourself a dedicated RPG fan and are willing to look past some old tech and the occasional bug do yourself a favor: Experience this title. Like each and every one of its characters, AP is full of charisma and wit... even if it sometimes looks a little wrinkled.

[Logan]

I always kind of wanted to play this since I heard it was sort of like Mass Effect, but Casey said it was terrible! Maybe I'll give it a go!

This should go on the website too!

[FiOth]

I always kind of wanted to play this since I heard it was sort of like Mass Effect, but Casey said it was terrible! Maybe I'll give it a go!

This should go on the website too!

As you have already noticed I love AP. It fell under the radar, BADLY. Damned critics and patienceless people!

Again, thank you for your kind words.

[TalesOfPants]

I was always on the fence with this and still am.

I'll snag it for cheap when I have a gap in my gaming glory, but with Disgaea 4 and Catherine coming up, I don't think that'll be anytime soon.

[FiOth]

I was always on the fence with this and still am.

I'll snag it for cheap when I have a gap in my gaming glory, but with Disgaea 4 and Catherine coming up, I don't think that'll be anytime soon.

I wager an ORANGE that you will love it if you give it a shot. Care to raise me? xD

[TalesOfPants]

I wager an ORANGE that you will love it if you give it a shot. Care to raise me? xD

Don't gamble against someone who works for a casino in Nevada. The house always wins, my friend.

I doubt I'll LOVE it, but I'm fairly sure I'll ENJOY it.

[FiOth]

Don't gamble against someone who works for a casino in Nevada. The house always wins, my friend.

I doubt I'll LOVE it, but I'm fairly sure I'll ENJOY it.

Don't doubt t3h FiOth, he used to work in a cemetery! (not really)...

But wait, THIS guy does! xD

[TalesOfPants]

Holy tits, another Primus fan too.

You and I are going to be great friends, methinks.

[FiOth]

Holy tits, another Primus fan too.

You and I are going to be great friends, methinks.

As someone stated before, Primus is the only band that SUCKS and ROCKS at the same time. Les is the best Christian Bale imitation evah'! xD

... or is it the other way around?

[TalesOfPants]

As someone stated before, Primus is the only band that SUCKS and ROCKS at the same time. Les is the best Christian Bale imitation evah'! xD

... or is it the other way around?

Christian Bale wishes he could play bass even half as mighty as Les does.

[FiOth]

Christian Bale wishes he could play bass even half as mighty as Les does.

Les is t3h best... even when he is dressed like this! xD

[TalesOfPants]

The scene with them all riding the coin-op horses is probably the greatest thing ever. It never gets old. xD

[FiOth]

The scene with them all riding the coin-op horses is probably the greatest thing ever. It never gets old. xD

Well spoken. You, ser, are of good taste!

[Casey]

It was horrible Logan!

Not even playable!!

I even have other friends who actually play video games who feel the same.

[FiOth]

It was horrible Logan!

Not even playable!!

I even have other friends who actually play video games who feel the same.

Despicable person...