Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Prototype delivers a high-octane action experience built around Alex Mercer’s deadly viral abilities. From the moment you grasp his shape-shifting power—grabbing enemies, consuming them, and donning their identity—you realize the game encourages creative approaches to every situation. Whether you’re sneaking into a fortified military base as a soldier or leaping onto a rooftop to ambush a helicopter, Alex’s toolkit makes traversal and combat feel fluid and explosive.

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The upgrade system further deepens the gameplay loop. Evolution points earned by completing objectives and dispatching foes can be invested in a variety of enhancements: claw strikes, armored fists, projectile shields, and more. Unlocking these powers not only diversifies combat styles but also rewards exploration, as certain advanced abilities require you to consume specific marked targets scattered across Manhattan.

Outside the main story missions, Prototype offers a robust suite of side activities to keep players engaged. You can tackle time-trial rooftop races, skirmish events where you pick a faction, and “Hunter Hunted” scenarios that reverse the tables, forcing you to evade military pursuers. Landmark and memory fragments hide throughout the city, unlocking story cutscenes and Web of Intrigue entries that shed light on Alex’s past while granting valuable evolution points.

Graphics

The rendering of a 2010-era Manhattan is impressively detailed, with iconic landmarks like Times Square and Central Park faithfully recreated. The city’s verticality is accentuated by dynamic lighting and weather effects, making rooftop chases and high-speed glides particularly scenic. Though not next-gen by today’s standards, the environments retain a gritty realism that complements the game’s dark theme.

Character models shine when Alex triggers his grotesque transformations. The visceral splatter of biomass shrouding his limbs during combat, the warping of his suit when executing a brutal ground pound, and the tense animations of the infected creatures all contribute to a palpable sense of power rooted in horror. Minor clipping issues and occasional texture pop-ins are present but rarely detract from the visceral spectacle.

Performance is generally stable on the original release platforms, with smooth frame rates even in the most chaotic battles. Camera angles intelligently follow Alex’s high-speed maneuvers, avoiding nausea-inducing shakes while emphasizing the scale of destruction. The art direction leans into a dark, almost comic-book aesthetic that suits the game’s over-the-top premise.

Story

Prototype’s narrative centers on Alex Mercer, a genetically enhanced being who awakens with no memory of his past. Branded as a monster by both the military and the infected horde, he embarks on a dual quest for vengeance against the biotech firm Gentek and for answers about his own identity. This personal journey drives the game’s core missions, giving weight to each confrontation and city-wide rampage.

The Web of Intrigue is a clever storytelling device: as Alex consumes key individuals, short cutscenes reveal fragments of Gentek’s experiments and Mercer’s involvement. These breadcrumbs gradually piece together a larger conspiracy, keeping players invested in piecing together the truth. Elizabeth Greene, the game’s secondary antagonist, offers a formidable foil as her viral transmutation spreads chaos across Manhattan.

Pacing is brisk, with the main plot unfolding through a mix of dramatic cutscenes and in-engine dialogues. Side missions rarely feel like filler—they often tie back into Alex’s quest or expand on the game’s bleak setting. The voice acting is competent, particularly in emotional moments when Alex confronts the human cost of his abilities and the collateral damage he leaves in his wake.

Overall Experience

Prototype shines as an unrestrained open-world action title that prioritizes freedom and spectacle. The seamless integration of traversal, combat, and story exploration makes every rooftop leap and brutal takedown feel satisfying. Players who relish unrestricted movement and unmatched power fantasies will find Alex Mercer’s arsenal immensely gratifying.

While some missions can become repetitive—primarily when clearing multiple military zones—the variety of side activities and the allure of uncovering Mercer’s past help mitigate fatigue. The city itself becomes a playground of destruction, and the ability to warp into any civilian identity adds a unique stealth dimension that differentiates Prototype from other sandbox games.

For gamers seeking a dark, adrenaline-fueled romp through a virus-infested Manhattan, Prototype remains a compelling choice. Its innovative mechanics, engaging story hooks, and visceral combat create an experience that entertains from start to finish, leaving players eager to unleash Mercer’s powers on anything that stands in their way.

Retro Replay Score

7.6/10