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Prototype 2 Preview

For PAX 2011, Activision brought out a "near alpha" version of Prototype 2, showing off the sequel's enhanced graphics and tweaked gameplay.

Garnett Lee

August 26, 2011 4:00 PM

For PAX 2011, Activision brought out a "near alpha" version of Prototype 2. But what does that mean exactly? This recent build was meant to show off how much better the new game looks than its predecessor--and it worked. I didn't need to be told that enhancing the graphics engine was an important goal for the game. The evidence was right there in front of my eyes. Along with the game's engine, a number of other tweaks have been made in response to criticisms of the original. For starters, civilians can now be simply set back down when picked up by accident. It's a nice gesture, and one that will likely get some use, because consuming civilians no longer recharges health; only enemies provide a boost. This substantial change in the way the health system works reflects a larger change in the pacing of the game. Rather than constant mass chaos, Prototype 2 offers plenty of opportunity to slow things down and play at a more measured tempo. A new awareness system highlights potential targets in either white or red to indicate whether they can be stealthily consumed. By observing the situation, it's then possible to slowly work around the environment, eliminating watchers one by one instead of just rushing in using brute force powers. In the same vein, a new hunting system features a target sonar system. Like watching the screen on a ship, activating it sends a visible pulse out into the environment, which then "pings" and echo of the target. Once close enough to see them, the target also gets highlighted, making it easier to single them out in a crowd.

Prototype 2 looks significantly better than its predecessor.

This demo also offered the first glimpse into the "yellow" zone of New York Zero, aka the quarantine zone. It's an area where infected refugees take shelter, and it's kept under strict rule by the Blackwatch biological attack response force. Don't mistake them as the good guys, though. They're not only ruthless in their rule; they're experimenting on the refugees. Changing the main character from Alex Mercer to Sargent James Heller reflects the direction of the series to more prominently feature the virus as the central element around which the story builds around. Memories from the people you absorb also plays a bigger part in the game. As they are learned, they open up new missions and help directly advance the plot of the game. Prototype 2 is due out in April of next year on PS3, 360, and PC.

Garnett Lee

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August 26, 2011 4:00 PM

Garnett Lee posted a new article, Prototype 2 Preview.

For PAX 2011, Activision brought out a "near alpha" version of Prototype 2, showing off the sequel's enhanced graphics and tweaked gameplay.
- Cobalt81
  
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  August 26, 2011 5:01 PM
  
  Looks totally awesome, I can't wait for it.
- Serrin
  
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  August 26, 2011 5:24 PM
  
  I enjoyed the first one. Picked it up for 19$? Totally worth what I paid.
- ShXIII
  
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  August 26, 2011 6:21 PM
  
  I enjoyed the first one too until I got to EVERY SINGLE BOSS FIGHT, I don't understand why developers insist on making boss battles so ridiculously hard. It's not fun when you die over and over and have to replay the same shit 5-10 times. I don't mind having to work at it a little bit but why do most developers ruin the flow of a good game with stupid hard boss fights? I ended up using a trainer on the very last boss because I could not kill him and was on the verge of smashing my very nice computer and headed out on a quest to find the asshole who thought it was a good idea to make it impossible.
- Sailor of Fortune
  
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  August 26, 2011 6:23 PM
  
  Looks great, definitely liked the first one more than that electricity guy game. Felt like a bad ass a la Crackdown.
- ragnarthepillager
  
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  August 26, 2011 11:11 PM
  
  So the narrator implies that it's unknown if sarge is working with or against mercer, should we interpret that as maybe the player can pick sides?
  
  Would be nice to side with military instead of consuming all those soldiers :/
  - doomed
    
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    August 27, 2011 1:52 PM
    
    regardless, they are to be terminated.
    
    the narrator says that.
- ArcKnight
  
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  August 28, 2011 9:32 AM
  
  Don't you mean Sergeant?
- three-d
  
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  August 29, 2011 5:23 PM
  
  I'm iffy about them slowing the game down, since I rather liked the frenetic pace of the original.
  
  However, he grabbed a helicopter and punched it in the fucking jaw. No matter how you slice it, that's pretty awesome.