Alpha Protocol puts a new twist on the RPG style, but does it work?
As well as being the game's title, Alpha Protocol is the name of the agency which you, Michael Thorton are employed by. That is, until you are betrayed by this organisation and forced continue your mission as a rouge soldier. This mission consists of investigating different locations throughout the world to uncover the truth and prevent a third world war from breaking out.
The strongest point of Alpha Protocol is it's storyline. It is compelling and feels as though it could have been taken straight from the pages of a best-selling novel. The great thing is that it would take you around three times longer to complete this game than to finish reading a best seller. Unfortunately, the A-grade plot is not done any justice by it's voice acting. The acting from some characters is respectable but from the majority it is bland and unsuited to the current circumstances taking place. This often mocks the mood of a serious in-game event in a comedic way. In addition, the game's sound design is very mediocre. Weapons sound soulless and the music drags and is uneventful most of the time. It seems as though the sound was tacked on at the end of development.
There are also some more technical issues with Alpha Protocol which will arise throughout the course of the game. The levels may be set in quite interesting and uncommon locations, but they are very linear. The level settings will force you to use a lackluster cover system whenever the camera doesn't get in your way and the AI is below average for a shooing game. They are, in fact, so incompetent that you will most likely find yourself passing a level using only melee attacks and a few bursts from your assault rifle. The amount of equipment at your disposal is unessential. You will have little need for EMP charges and incendiary grenades when you could just as easily kick an opponent to death as hurl a grenade at them.
Bearing some sympathy, Obsidian got the RPG theme right with Alpha Protocol. In every conversation, you are given a dialog tree with a selection of responses which can dramatically effect the outcome of the game depending on how you act to certain characters. You can also customise your loadout before each mission with different weapons at attachments from the "Clearinghouse" online arsenal. These features add up to create an interesting experience and manage to cover up the problems that the game bears.
Alpha Protocol could have potentially been an excellent game, but unfortunately was let down by some distinct errors. It is not by any means a bad game, in fact it should be praised for it's ambitious efforts, but it is not a game which will be highly regarded in the gaming industry.