The Reviews

[Purkake]

Hmm the video review was pretty bad and NeoGAF isn't too hot for it either...

 

Oh well, back to Max Payne 2.

 

EDIT: Not really a review, but the Giant Bomb quicklook is out as well.

Edited May 29, 2010 by Purkake

[WorstUsernameEver]

Hmm the video review was pretty bad and NeoGAF isn't too hot for it either...

 

Oh well, back to Max Payne 2.

 

EDIT: Not really a review, but the Giant Bomb quicklook is out as well.

 

Can't say I blame you. Can't say I blame you at all, and being a bit Obsidian fanboy-ish it's painful for me to say this.

[funcroc]

examiner.com review (another well-written review)

[Purkake]

I think the real question we should be asking is: does AP have a Ravel incarnation somewhere in it?

[kirottu]

It really seems to be hit or miss kind of game.

 

My pre-order is already in the mail. I hope I

[WorstUsernameEver]

It really seems to be hit or miss kind of game.

 

My pre-order is already in the mail. I hope I

[Starwars]

The examiner review is well worth a read, well written and level-headed.

[Meshugger]

Based on media reaction and personal reviews, this game seems to be another Bloodlines: Flawed as hell, but several redeeming features.

 

We'll see if i like it.

[Gel214th]

Based on media reaction and personal reviews, this game seems to be another Bloodlines: Flawed as hell, but several redeeming features.

 

We'll see if i like it.

 

Another issue when reading these reviews that we need to take into account is that the Publisher nor Obsidian paid multi millions in marketing.

 

That means there are a lot less kickbacks on review sites for Alpha Protocol. Where they may have been more likely to bump a review score up a notch or two for more popular and mainstream titltes, AP isn't going to get that treatment.

 

Argue all you want, it's the fact with game reviews on many sites out there.

 

ALpha Protocol is a good game. I haven't played it enough to really give an opinion at this point. but my early view is that it is rough around the edges, it is not as super polished as other titles (Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2) but there is a lot of great gameplay there to satisfy just about any RPG fan. In fact even Shooter fans should like the game.

 

I'd rate it, right now, a 7.5 out of 10. Some of the things patches can't fix though. Hacking, Cover system are two of the things I don't particular like.

I love the storyline, Conversation system, Shooting mechanics, environments, story so far, character development.

[Meshugger]

Based on media reaction and personal reviews, this game seems to be another Bloodlines: Flawed as hell, but several redeeming features.

 

We'll see if i like it.

 

I love the storyline, Conversation system, Shooting mechanics, environments, story so far, character development.

 

Which just happens to be the elements that i prioritize + a good soundtrack. I do not care much about the A.I., cover, hacking or graphics for that matter.

[Kabraxis]

Console Plus: 80 out of 100

360 Live: 80 out of 100

 

Two biggest German PC magazines (as far as I know):

 

PC Games: 82 out of 100

Gamestar: 83 out of 100

 

 

Sources:

http://critify.de/search/?q=Alpha+Protocol

and

http://www.pcgames.de/Alpha-Protocol-PC-21...-Macken-748822/

and

http://www.gamestar.de/tests/rollenspiele/...a_protocol.html

 

 

some other German ones:

 

gamepro.de: 87 out of 100 (http://www.gamepro.de/test/spiele/xbox360/rollenspiel/alpha_protocol_test/1965769/alpha_protocol_test.html)

spieleradar.de: 72 out of 100 (http://www.spieleradar.de/PC/test/alpha-protocol/6_11710.html)

4players.de: 80 out of 100: (http://www.4players.de/4players.php/dispbericht/Allgemein/Test/10948/68303/0/Alpha_Protocol.html)

 

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So...

German ratings are pretty high.

Just one or two patches and this game will be unbelievable good.

[SirPetrakus]

Saw the gametrailers review. *sigh* Here's to cantering to the average shooter fan! AP got a 6.4 because of "broken" gameplay. To quote specifically: "Alpha Protocol doesn't play like a shooter, although it certainly looks the part, and it should". Wow, GT! You keep finding new ways to annoy me. So your problem is why does an RPG play like an RPG since it's using the 3rd person perspective? Well, I'd answer that's because it's an RPG that uses the 3rd person perspective, but that's not like it was in the fine print. If they expected Mass Effect or Splinter Cell, those are primarily action games with RPG elements and stealth mechanics respectively, not primarily RPGs with action/stealth mechanics. People should really learn to RPG!

 

Just finished the game with my Recruit - Operative Mike. Will take a more guns blazing approach for my second playthrough, but I've found my Mike, as far as character goes, and I won't be changing much in dialogues, just some in game choices. I can't believe

Mina died like that in the final mission!

I'm gonna do my best to minimize my casualties and make as many friends as possible this time. Plus, I will be going after the "chaste" perk after going the "ladies man" way on my first go.

[edgarcuk]

Just finished the game with my Recruit - Operative Mike. Will take a more guns blazing approach for my second playthrough, but I've found my Mike, as far as character goes, and I won't be changing much in dialogues, just some in game choices. I can't believe

Mina died like that in the final mission!

I'm gonna do my best to minimize my casualties and make as many friends as possible this time. Plus, I will be going after the "chaste" perk after going the "ladies man" way on my first go.

 

This is exactly one of the values of AP, which is not highlighted in most of the reviews, specially the bad ones: the character developing and replayability, beyond the bad/good behaviour. I'm on my second playthrough as well, and I'm exploring other approaches and interactions. Despite the graphics, in the dialogues, you can see the instant reactions of your counterparts... sometimes using the confident stance, you can see their faces saying "this bloody arrogant", lol, which is very well achieve in AP.

[tr1pod]

OK.....

 

Played some more. Finished Saudi and you know what? I am actually starting to enjoy it. The beginning is so average it's gonna hurt this a lot, but it does improve. The story starts to kick in.

 

It's just hard to get past the shooting 12 bullets to hit once scenario. Once you adapt to that, it's actually good fun.

Edited May 29, 2010 by tr1pod

[Gel214th]

OK.....

 

Played some more. Finished Saudi and you know what? I am actually starting to enjoy it. The beginning is so average it's gonna hurt this a lot, but it does improve. The story starts to kick in.

 

It's just hard to get past the shooting 12 bullets to hit once scenario. Once you adapt to that, it's actually good fun.

You shouldn't be shooting 12 bullets to hit once.

Concentrate on one type of weapon, boost the stats in that. And Aim.

Right Click...settle...let the crosshairs close...shoot.

 

Even with the pistol when you are fully aimed you can kill with one shot.

[Libertarian]

The problem with most reviewers today is that they review a game for what it isn't and not what it is.

 

I see many reviewers crying about the combat and that there's too many dice rolls going on behind the scenes. Um, hello, this is an RPG, not a straight up shooter.

 

This also happens with games that have no multiplayer component. Many reviewers will dock a game for not having it. I heard a few reviewers pissing and moaning about Alan Wake not having multiplayer. Are they freaking serious? Multiplayer wouldn't work for that game. It'd go as well as it did for The Darkness.

 

Reviewers are often too slow for the position they hold.

Edited May 29, 2010 by Libertarian

[Oblarg]

OK.....

 

Played some more. Finished Saudi and you know what? I am actually starting to enjoy it. The beginning is so average it's gonna hurt this a lot, but it does improve. The story starts to kick in.

 

It's just hard to get past the shooting 12 bullets to hit once scenario. Once you adapt to that, it's actually good fun.

 

That seems to be the trend - the intro sucks because you have no skills yet, but once you get going it picks up.

[Hathur]

Despite the subpar shooter mechanics, I'm delighted with my purchase.

 

I'm playing on hard mode (first playthrough) with a tech specialist.. and honestly, this class is so much fun to play... having a slew of gadgets gives so much flexibility in how to handle situations... I feel like a real spy with this character.

 

I initially started on normal.. and hated it. I felt like I was made of steel.. could walk up to enemies and let them spray bullets in my face for what felt like eternity and I'd barely get hurt.... but on hard, you'll die in 1-2 seconds from point blank gun fire.... this really helps make the game much more appealing as it offsets some of the AI's weirdness and ineptitude at times.

 

Hate pistols... they work like garbage even with skill points invested (chain shot being the exception.. but it feels like cheating)... Shotguns and assault rifles feel right and are useful... Dual SMGS.. I'll never play it... I'm a spy, not a bloody gangster.

[tr1pod]

If they ever make a sequel it has so much potential. Get the A.I right. Change it so you have to hide the bodies (this really bugs me), and up the graphics. Add a save mode, and viola - great game ahoy.

Edited May 29, 2010 by tr1pod

[uniq]

I am suprised that there are so high score considering that the AI is so bad I want to cry, impossible to be really stealthy as the AI sees you through walls if they feels like it

[Niten_Ryu]

Gametrailers review was good. Alpha Protocal with original Splinter Cell stealth and combat mechanics would have been one of the best games this year. Now it's like most of the Black Isle / Obsidian games. You struggle thru the bugs, bad graphics and filler combat, just to advance the great story. I've gone to full stealth in order to skip the combat but unfortunately from time to time, game just force those combat situations on you. That's another big negative for the combat design. If game allow different ways to deal with the enemies, developers shouldn't design encounters where there's only one solution.

[SirPetrakus]

Gametrailers review was good. Alpha Protocal with original Splinter Cell stealth and combat mechanics would have been one of the best games this year. Now it's like most of the Black Isle / Obsidian games. You struggle thru the bugs, bad graphics and filler combat, just to advance the great story. I've gone to full stealth in order to skip the combat but unfortunately from time to time, game just force those combat situations on you. That's another big negative for the combat design. If game allow different ways to deal with the enemies, developers shouldn't design encounters where there's only one solution.

Get the skill "shadow operative". Presto! It's from the stealth tree. Also, usually to get out of that tight situations, the level is designed in a certain way for you to just do one little thing to beat it. Just find the thing. I did not find the combat tedious at all, I had great fun with it. All the game required of me, was not be an idiot and charge straight in CoD style. When I did something wrong, it was my **** up and I'd reload my last checkpoint. If you don't like real-time RPG combat mechanics ... well, maybe New Vegas can compensate? It's OK for a game to just not be your cup of tea, gameplay-wise, but that doesn't necessarily mean bad.

[Ausir]

If you don't like real-time RPG combat mechanics ... well, maybe New Vegas can compensate? It's OK for a game to just not be your cup of tea, gameplay-wise, but that doesn't necessarily mean bad.

 

How so? New Vegas is also real-time, just like FO3.

[juncaj8]

^^

It's in real time with some turn based gameplay (vats).

[funcroc]

GamePro - 3.5/5