CSBG Archive
Gabe Asks You A Question, Re: Prototype
- by Brad Curran
- in General
- 13 Comments
This gives me all the excuse I need to write about video games here again.
I think comics fans who aren’t video game snobs (re, old and dumb and Burgas) might get a kick out of Prototype. It’s made by the same team as Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction, and plays a lot like what that game, except the main character is basically what would happen if you threw the Hulk, Venom/Carnage, and Mystique in a blender for the ultimate open world amoral superhero game. That makes the fact that DC is publishing the comic tie-in even funnier, even if that is a pretty solid creative team there. I’d rather read Mirror’s Edge, though, and not just because I really want to see how they handle a comic about a parkour runner. (I may be the one and only fan of Screwball.)
You see, the story is a total “government conspiracy creates horrible monsters” cliche. Even when compared to the rank and file video game narrative, it’s pretty lame. That said, I do like the way it unfolds. Whenever you “consume” (violently kill and eat, basically) someone, you access their memories. That helps you find out how you became a HulkVenomCarnageMystique hybrid (you have amnesia, I forgot to mention. Told you the story was cliched). Also, you learn how to operate weapons that way, which makes it a bit like the Matrix if Keanu Reaves snacked on the extras to learn kung fu. How’s that for a high concept?
But really, this is a waste of words. All I should have to say is “In Prototype, you can do a karate kick on a helicopter” to help you decide whether this game is for you. With Chris Sims at some mixer for portly nerds, it falls to me to point these things out until he returns.
13 Comments
Bill Reed
June 19, 2009 at 11:22 am
Everything about this game just felt generic and lame until that comic strip.
Scavenger
June 19, 2009 at 11:43 am
It’d seem to me that Batman: No Man’s Land would be ideal as an open world game.
felgekarp
June 19, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Just seen a billboard with the DC Comics logo on it whilst aimlessly running around.
Greg Burgas
June 19, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Let’s face it, you only need to write “Burgas” and the “old” and “dumb” are pretty much implied, aren’t they?
Brad Curran
June 19, 2009 at 12:53 pm
I like to rub it in. Sue me.
Brad Curran
June 19, 2009 at 12:55 pm
I like it okay, Bill. I’m getting burned out on open world games so I don’t love it, but it’s pretty fun in the 1-2 blocks I’ve been playing it in. I just got Ghostbusters from Gamefly, though, so it may very well not occupy my headspace for much longer.
Brad Curran
June 19, 2009 at 12:56 pm
“It’d seem to me that Batman: No Man’s Land would be ideal as an open world game.”
As long as you get to do something to the Joker after he kills that one person that one time, yes. Like kill him. Or kill him, ressurect him, and kill him again. Or have Hawkman fly him in to a powerline. Something like that. But yeah, good call.
Tom Fitzpatrick
June 19, 2009 at 1:25 pm
My favorite all-time video game is: DRAGON;S LAIR.
heh
Brad Curran
June 19, 2009 at 1:51 pm
You are also old, I’m guessing. Although there’s an arcade with that down here. So, old or stalking me. Only options I can think of.
Kris Bather
June 19, 2009 at 7:35 pm
I agree Brad. I rarely buy new games, but decided to bow down to the hype with Prototype, and I’m glad I did. So far, it’s very fun, but I could see how it could get repetitive. It’s pretty much a prime example of a comic book game without being adapted from a comic.
Stephen
June 20, 2009 at 7:09 am
I played a friend’s copy of this and wasn’t really impressed. It’s a game that’s been done better before, and a game that’s been done to the same level with better lead characters.
I thought Infamous was a much more fun experience overall.
Anyway, I’ve got Tiger 2010 on the Wii to occupy my time for the next, oh, FOREVER. Good lord is that great. Still haven’t figured out if I’m getting Ghostbusters for the Wii or PS3 – PS3′s prettier, but the Wii’s got the better art design and a real two-player mode.
Bill Reed
June 20, 2009 at 9:32 pm
Let me know if Ghostbusters is good. I want it, but I suspect it won’t be sixty dollars good.
tk.
June 23, 2009 at 8:34 am
I had a long weekend and managed to snag both Prototype and Ghostbusters at Blockbuster. Ultimately, while Ghostbusters is incredibly faithful and funny, by the time I got to the fourth mission or so I’m way too busy as the rookie (!) helping up Venkman to fight the ghosts.
Prototype is the one I ultimately kept coming back to; it reminded me a lot of a Spider-Man title, in terms of gameplay, and there were even some obscure parts of NYC that I recognized from playing Web of Shadows. You can do some pretty ridiculous things in Prototype.