Alpha Protocol

I'll get this straight right from the off: Alpha Protocol lacks polish. That being said, a huge replayability factor, a compelling cast of characters, and a unique conversation system delivering well-written dialogue all contribute to making those faults easy to overlook.

A huge positive in Alpha Protocol's favour is the significance of choice. The stances you take with any given character can have effects ranging from the presence or absence of available intel for a selection of missions to your reputation preceding you when dealing with new acquaintances in the future. And nearly everything you do will be scrutinised by someone at some point; by your handler during a mission, for example, or during the flash-forwards after significant events.

Criticism of the game for lacking polish is not an argument without merit. However, be wary of what these criticisms are aimed at. Try not to be fooled by the outward appearance of the game; it is *not* a cover shooter in the vein of Splinter Cell: Conviction or Gears of War. Obviously, taking cover during a firefight is a good idea. But the crucial difference is that in Alpha Protocol player skill is not a valid substitute for Mike Thorton's ability to aim within the game's mechanics. It is an RPG, and as such if you haven't put any ability points into the Pistol skill (for example), don't expect Mike to hit anything very often when using one.

That isn't to say that the game is without legitimate flaws. Animations for actions such as stealth takedowns and kills are limited and repetitive. Enemy AI is rather dumb at times as well, and some of the higher level abilities are ridiculously overpowered (a combination of Shadow Operative and Chain Shot will see you through each boss encounter without exception). Although I have to admit with the latter that it can be good fun to feel like such a badass superspy, as no matter which collection of skills you choose to specialise in you are practically guaranteed a strong build rather than accidentally handicapping yourself out of inexperience.

And let me just add on the subject of boss fights that the encounter in the disco ballroom to the tune of Autograph's "Turn Up The Radio" was inspired.

It was recently announced that Alpha Protocol would be not be receiving the sequel treatment. For me, and the many others who thoroughly enjoyed the game, this is sad news. I do hope, however, that the base mechanics and conversation system are used at the least as the backbone for a new franchise with the polish they deserve. There are simply too many good ideas to be found here for me to want anything less.

I must disagree with the majority of reviewers as I think that this is an excellent game. Yes it's core shooter mechanics aren't up to Gears of War but they are no worse than the first Mass Effect and what really impresses is the level of choice on offer.
What i really loved about this game was that a lot of the decision you are called to make are so morally ambiguous. I like playing as a good guy in RPGs but in Mass Effect that is to easy, just choose the paragon conversation option each time. The only time I felt morally challenged in any other RPG was during Dragon Age where I had to choose between two flawed candidates for king.
This game by contrast really makes you think about your actions. For example do I further world peace by killing a terrorist mastermind but at the expense of causing his organisation to conduct revenge attacks?
I was also impressed by the level of choice available to the player during a mission. For example I started off a level by sneaking in to a base undetected but found that impossible during a later scene in a canyon so i decided to find a good sniping position and take out the guards at my leisure.
This game does have it's faults, the graphics are average and the AI is a bit poor but I found that these were more tyhan outweighed by a really strong notion that my actions during the game really mattered.

I must admit when I first played this game I would have given it a 1 or 2 star rating, but when you get so far though the game and your decisions start to take effect starts to get really fun, I agree that there are some clunky elements to the game and there are a few bugs, the first mission I played I got killed not too far into the mission and when I restarted I found that all the enemies had disapeared.
Firstly the things I like about the game:- Most people have said that they dont like the conversation system I disagree, it makes to think on your feet rather than sitting there deciding what you will say to create the charater you want. Its not about creating a character you want its about how the people react to you.
the second thing I like about the game is that the disicions you make ACTUALLY make a difference to the way the game pans out in a big way like if a character likes or dislikes you or if there scared this depends on the amount of information they will give you or if you are too gunho then there are more enemies in later missions etc. Unlike mass effect (which was still an awsome game) were they only made minor if any changes to the game.
I also like the level up system which I found levels you up in a suttle but effective way with more unlocks and choices thoughout the game.
What I didnt like:- the main problem I have with the game is not the controls which were difficult to get to grips with but when you play it for a bit they are quite good, or the graphics which are a little be dated but graphics dont make a good game I still play games like sonic or half life they are still wicked games but it was the lack of freedom and exploration that I would expect from an RPG even mass effect 2 had more of an exploration element to it and if you played it you will know that its a bit poor on the exploration side of things its a very level based game this made me dissapointed with the buying system as well.
Other than that I have found the story gripping and very entertaining