From start to finish, “Prototype 2” is about one thing only: slaughtering everyone.
With an arsenal that combines super-powered brawling and an array of military weapons, causing havoc and mayhem is just plain fun.
In the original, Alex Mercer became a genetically modified dealer of death after getting infected with a virus that turned most people into mutants. This time around, he shares his abilities with a disgruntled soldier named James Heller — who then goes on the warpath looking for revenge against the people who killed his family.
There’s a military coverup, a bunch of shady dealings, and the defense company in charge of it all is experimenting on the city’s population. So you won’t feel bad about killing tons of people.
| ‘Prototype 2’ |
| » Systems: Xbox 360, PS3 » Price: $59.99 |
| » Rating: 4 out of 5 stars |
The powers given to Heller turn him into a pulsing-red cross between the Hulk and the Spider-Man villain Carnage. He can bound down the street, run up the sides of buildings, leap over huge gaps and even glide for short distances. He can also pummel his way through a battalion of troops, lift and throw huge vehicles, and grow claws and blades.
But you don’t have to play the game a straight brawler. Stealth can also play a huge role … if you want. Heller can absorb other people and take their forms at a later time. This can be used to sneak into highly guarded military facilities to assassinate targets.
The game retains all of the high points from the original. Strong gameplay will drag you in early, and the plot will keep you hanging around. There are a bunch of beautifully rendered cut-scenes that advance the story, but sometimes they come a bit too often. The voice acting and sound effects are fantastic. And while the cursing and grisly squishing noises really lend themselves to the story, they keep the game from being safe for youngsters.
The open world lets you tackle missions however you want, offers plenty of room to explore, and there are many side challenges and hidden collectibles to find.
However, “Prototype 2” offers more of the same. Now that’s not a bad thing in this case — it just feels a little bit stale. But it’s still tons of fun, and that’s hard to discount.
“Prototype 2” is all about feeling powerful. While it may overdo it in a few places, the game delivers on nearly every level.
