the-espionage-rpg
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Metareview: Alpha Protocol
While we may have found Alpha Protocol to be a "technical nightmare," it doesn't mean we should all just close the book on it. No, other outlets surely have opinions on Obsidian Entertainment's "Espionage RPG" and we'd be remiss if we didn't bring them into the discussion. Let's get to it! CVG (8.4/10): "Alpha Protocol's a technical turkey but it's also a gripping, innovative and deserving of both success and a sequel. It might look like a dog, but dig deep and you're in for an undercover treat - it's a stonking feeling when a game we were expecting to stink turns out to be a revelation. If you've any interest in RPGs that also deliver explosive action, don't let this double agent slip through the net." Eurogamer (7/10): "Like Worcester Sauce, Alpha Protocol's separate ingredients might be slightly unappetising, but they come together in a quietly effective manner. Unlike Worcester Sauce, it will certainly frustrate you more than it should, and in between the deathlike character models and bizarre misapplications of things like depth of field effects, it will struggle to convince you the team had enough time to finish it up." Videogamer (6/10): "Despite its myriad of shortcomings there's a moderate amount of fun to be had with Alpha Protocol. It's a game that's more enjoyable than it probably should be, a game that's better than the sum of its parts. There's a lot of potential hiding under the flawed shell, and although Obsidian has failed to coax it out this time around, I hope somebody does the concept justice in the future." Destructoid (2/10): "Alpha Protocol, to its slim credit, has its basis in noble and ambitious ideas, and those ideas are even well executed on the whole. However, while the ambitious stuff hits the mark, the bog standard gameplay has suffered beyond measure. You can build the most magnificent castle in the world, but if the foundations are made out of wet feces, everything's going to crumble and fall apart before your very eyes. Alpha Protocol is a castle that's collapsed in crap. Proof that even the most accomplished of visions are worthless if the fundamentals aren't in place." %Gallery-19776%
For every Alpha Protocol video, there's a Joystiq post
Being a spy means being versatile. Sometimes you have to scrap the plan and just wing it. Believe us, we know all about that. This latest Alpha Protocol trailer embodies the importance of impromptu solutions to unexpected problems. It shows us that for every ambush, there's an escape; for every system, there's an override; and for every chicken nugget, there's an appropriate dipping sauce. Okay, we contributed that last nugget of wisdom, but that doesn't make it any less sage! Alpha Protocol launches on June 1 for PC, PS3 and Xbox 360.
Alpha Protocol trailer asks, 'Who is Michael Thorton?'
Isn't he the guy who wrote Jurassic Park? No wait, that's Michael Crichton. Our bad. Michael Thorton is protagonist super spy in Alpha Protocol, Obsidian's upcoming Espionage RPG™. As you can see in the trailer above, he's a dude who likes to knee chumps in the face ... and run through laser-heavy hallways in slow motion, apparently. We get it, broseph: you're a spy. You drink martinis, drive expensive automobiles and get all the exotic babes. That's all well and good, but we have one problem with the above highlight reel, Mr. Thorton: Don't ever go around blowing up helicopters. That job is best left in more capable hands.
Pre-order Alpha Protocol for in-game bonus packs
Are you planning on pre-ordering The Espionage RPG? It may not be at the top of your list, but after hearing about the pre-order bonuses ... well, that probably won't change. Still, if you're planning on picking up the game anyway, they're worth placing an order for. Alpha Protocol will be offering pre-orderers two different in-game packs, depending on where you decide to make your purchase.The Assault Pack, available from GameStop, unlocks a bunch of the more beefy weapons in the game, as well as giving access to two "exclusive specially modified weapons and extras." The Stealth Pack, available from GameCrazy, is very similar, but is more skewed towards quietly picking off enemies with tranqs and suppressors. Check out the Sega blog for full details.
Alpha Protocol: The Espionage RPG: The Release Date
Sega of America has announced the release date for Obsidian's Alpha Protocol, whatever that is. Oh, it's "The Espionage RPG." How helpful! That game will be out on October 6.In addition to the date announcement, Sega released the North American box art, which can be found in our gallery. We must warn you, however, before you rush into the gallery, full of hope for a more exciting, distinctive box art image: it's exactly the same as the UK box art seen yesterday, with the "PAL" label changed to "NTSC" and the PEGI rating box changed to an ESRB box. It's still the same Pseudo-Bourne standing up in front of geography class.%Gallery-19776%
Reminder: Alpha Protocol is The Espionage RPG
So, in case it wasn't made absolutely clear by the box art, here's what Obsidian Entertainment's head-slammin' Alpha Protocol isn't: The Overwrought Fantasy RPG The Contemplative Neo-Classical RPG The Effervescent Dating RPG The Number One Best Selling RPG An Espionage RPG That Other Game About The Secret Agent and Stuff Joking aside, it's quite likely that we're simply oblivious to the subtitle's significance to the plot -- the one involving a sneaky rocket-propelled grenade that taps your phone and then blows off your ear. See if you can spot it in the developer diary embedded after the break.%Gallery-19776%
