Alpha Protocol | Xbox 360

About the Game

A person whose life before joining Alpha Protocol no longer exists. Alpha Protocol being a clandestine service without any ties to the US government and specialized in covert operations to protect home and country. Thorton's mission: Assassinate the leader of Al-Samad known as "Shaheed". Shaheed's crime: Destroying a passenger plane in the Middle East.

Story & Setting

After the first mission, players advance the story by sending the protagonist to Rome, Moscow and Taipei, in any order.

Gameplay & Core Systems

In the end, Shaheed is just the beginning of a greater conspiracy and it's up to Mike and players to solve it. Alpha Protocol is a hybrid of role-playing game and shooter, bearing certain similarities to Deus Ex . You take control of Michael Thorton after his initiation into the world of Alpha Protocol, looking over his shoulder. At the start of the game, players have to choose one of four classes (Soldier, Field Agent, Tech Specialist, Freelancer). In addition players have to customize the basic look of Mike, although during the course of the game he is still able to change his appearance at his safe house and certain lockers scattered around the levels.

Standout Features

• The choice mostly determines his past as he can change all pre-defined skills before the final start of the game.
• He is limited to facial features (including color) and clothing, however.
• There's a TV which allows players to keep up with current events (or get new assignments), a weapons locker to choose his load-out with and, more importantly, a computer to check his email and visit the "Clearinghouse".
• The latter is a black market service where players can sell stuff he found during missions and buy additional gear (including weapons, armor and special items) or upgrades like a bigger magazine for the pistol.
• Mass Effect: The conversation system is somewhat similar to Mass Effect 2 , offering several different choices. that do not spell out the whole sentence, but only the tone or topic of the answer.
• Depending on his choice during a dialogue or simply by answering an email a special way and during normal gameplay, not only his relationship with the person he's talking to changes - news of players' actions travel around the world, changing how enemies and friends alike view players even before their first encounter, making it sometimes easier or more difficult for Mike to persuade his opponent.
• If players are more of a peaceful and/or sneaky nature, he can however take the stealth-route.
• This allows him to make one-hit take downs of an unsuspecting enemy as well as avoid many obstacles.

Presentation & Atmosphere

Display support includes HDTV 720p, HDTV 1080i, and HDTV 1080p. Audio support includes Dolby Digital.