Alpha Protocol -- All-In-One.

I've completed Alpha Protocol for the Xbox 360. Alpha Protocol was developed by Obsidian Entertainment and published by SEGA. Alpha Protocol met with less than stellar reviews when it launched in May of last year. It also comes from Obsidian who are known for developing sequels to the games of other companies. In fact, Alpha Protocol is their first original effort not connected to something else. Obsidian are also sort of known for a buggy end product. Alpha Protocol is an RPG with an espionage theme. The game sets out to replicate a spy thriller and actually does a pretty good job at doing just that. If I were to compare Alpha Protocol to another game it would have to be Mass Effect. One of the biggest complaints you'll hear about the Mass Effect series is that BioWare have forgotten their RPG roots and Mass Effect is really just an action game with Choose Your Own Adventure character and story development. You'll go through the game until you're provided with a choice of A or B and that's the limit of Mass Effect's depth. The same complaints can't be applied to Alpha Protocol. In both the action and story or character development every little thing you do counts in ways you can both see and not see. Everything has a potential repercussion and everything hinges on your choices. And it's not just at the predetermined spots for the major choices. It's not as obvious as that. It's constant. No matter how insignificant the conversation may seem. And the changes can be extreme. To the of degree of not seeing entire levels or characters. The number of variables that can factor into the ending is rather impressive. The character progression side of the game is just as impressive. You'll be given a certain number of points to spend on leveling up. You can spend them in numerous categories that really can alter how you'll play the game on the action side of things. From specific weapon specializations to stealth and hand to hand and gadgets and more. You really can play it your way. Play the game like Rambo with assault rifles or shotguns, or like a ninja and take down enemies in silence, or use every gadget under the sun to outsmart enemies, or any combination thereof. I really liked the flexibility in the action half of the game and the depth of possibilities on the story and character side of the game. So what's the problem? Why was the game treated so harshly by critics? The game isn't going to win any awards for graphics. They're competent and a tad less than they should be for what amounts to a mid generation release. The game also continues Obsidian's track record for buggy games. I never encountered anything that was truly game breaking but it is annoying to lose progress and have to reload. And you will have to reload. Alpha Protocol was well worth the $20 entry fee. I'm giving the game a 7.