GC 2008: Alpha Protocol Updated Impressions

We got to see more of Alpha Protocol at the Leipzig Games Convention, including the safe house, weapons, and character customisation options.

We may have already covered a lot of Alpha Protocol at E3 recently, but we managed to see a little bit more at this year's Leipzig Games Convention. We managed to secure an appointment to see the latest build of the game at the Sega booth, where we saw a couple of new things about this promising spy-based action RPG.

The guiding principle of the game is to make you feel like one of the three J.B.'s:Jack Bauer, Jason Bourne, and James Bond. To do this, Obsidian has the services of writer Chris Avellone, who wrote the acclaimed Planescape Torment, to create the people who inhabit this world. The team is trying to eschew the notions of clear right and wrong and keep the excitement high by giving each character a specific set of interests.

Your base of operations will be kitted out exactly as you'd expect for a spy's home. The developers have clearly watched Mr. & Mrs. Smith, as the gadgets and weapons reveal themselves from regular household cabinets. You'll be able to upgrade nearly every part of the weapons on offer to make them, for instance, more silent for stealth missions or more deadly for close combat. The developers are also pushing the gadget angle with items such as EMP grenades and electronic trip wires.

One of the coolest aspects of the espionage is acting and dressing appropriately for what you're doing and whom you're speaking to. If you're talking to an informant in the street, you'll need to dress casually and act relaxed, and you can choose responses by pressing different buttons on the controller. If you're interrogating someone, you might choose to be threatening by pulling a gun or suggesting violence. That person may well give in to your demands, or may get angry and fight back--it's up to you to judge each situation.

Another cool aspect is the media feedback. Your actions may be reported on the TV news, for example, and you'll also be able to sit down at your computer to check your e-mail. The one thing the team isn't including is vehicles, despite the game's use of Unreal Engine 3 technology.

Alpha Protocol has been in development since the beginning of 2006, but the end is now hopefully in sight for Obsidian. The game is set for release in February 2009 on the PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3.

48 Comments

  • FPSMadPaul

    Posted Mar 17, 2009 10:20 am PT

    BlackCrow2 - Sega are publishing it, THAT'S ALL. Obsidian are developing it!

  • xxxTristamxxx

    Posted Dec 31, 2008 5:41 am PT

    Finally a game that has the potential to be excellent and it has many good gameplay features (ie: Cover System, RPG, Done of custom weapons..etc). Also is sounds like an excellent espionage title. GOOD Espionage titles games are rare and hard to find.

  • Frosty_Briman

    Posted Nov 30, 2008 5:22 pm PT

    Jack Bauer OWNS!!!, cant wait

  • mrbojangles25

    Posted Nov 25, 2008 2:27 am PT

    Writer of Planescape

    Espionage

    Gadgets

    Well, I am sold!

  • TehUndeadHorror

    Posted Nov 24, 2008 7:11 pm PT

    Cars aren't that great anyway =P Hopefully this means they can concentrate on what really matters!

  • wh1te_m4trix

    Posted Nov 24, 2008 2:24 pm PT

    i'm glad there's no driving sequences, to make it some spyhunter crap style? no thanks.

  • blueguykisame

    Posted Nov 21, 2008 3:34 pm PT

    no cars? It better be good to make up for that.. anyways, besides that, sounds great.

  • WarpedCore

    Posted Nov 20, 2008 1:17 pm PT

    Looks good, just hope the graphics get a bit cleaned up.

  • Jagsman

    Posted Oct 19, 2008 11:41 am PT

    To be honest, I've yet to be blown away by any aspect of this game, but it has to be said, Obsidian are just too good to screw this up.

  • wolverinecom

    Posted Oct 9, 2008 7:53 pm PT

    Impressive...this is what I expect from newer games. They have the technology for it, now they have to think outside the box.

  • sethkazzim

    Posted Sep 8, 2008 1:13 am PT

    no cars and stuff to drive???
    nooooooooo!

  • Day_Almighty

    Posted Sep 4, 2008 5:48 am PT

    Promising.

  • BlackCrow2

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 3:56 pm PT

    Its Sega, it's gotta be good.

  • reject09

    Posted Sep 2, 2008 11:21 am PT

    looks pretty good

  • king_bobo

    Posted Aug 29, 2008 11:16 am PT

    This game should be good. Should be...

  • codeman5533

    Posted Aug 28, 2008 3:07 pm PT

    sounds good

  • thenephariouson

    Posted Aug 28, 2008 11:44 am PT

    sounds very nice & fresh, looking forward to this.

  • lucebuce

    Posted Aug 28, 2008 6:28 am PT

    hopefully , this game will kick some serious butt .............i cant as* cause this website doesnt allow swearing

  • The_ripster88

    Posted Aug 28, 2008 3:40 am PT

    it's the first time i've laid eyes on this game n i must say.... i want it.

  • PdPstyle

    Posted Aug 27, 2008 5:02 pm PT

    I hope this game can measure up to Splinter Cell...I really want this game to be good *fingers crossed*

Check Prices: $49.99 – 49.99

advertisement

Game Stats

  • Rank:
    3,571 of 76,690
    (down by 328)
    PC Rank:
    1,218 of 12,544
    Highest Rank:
    13 in 2008
    Tracking:
    1,776 Track It»
    Wishlists:
    803 Wish It»
  • Top 5 User Tags:
    1. alpha protocol
    2. obsidian
    3. sega
    4. rpg
    5. alpha
  • Mature Rating Description

    Titles rated M (Mature) have content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older. Titles in this category may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language. Learn more

Also on

Games you may like…

Users who looked at content for this game also looked at these games.

See More Similar Games