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[Bebpo]

Wow, anyone who doesn't care about their rep with Mina should do a full kill run through the CIA listening post. It's :lol

Regardless of if this game is GoTY, I'm pretty damn sure it's Comedy of the Year. I can't think of a game that I've played where I've laughed so much.


And the conversation about Mike's name in Rome safehouse is lolololol.

 

[Cep]

Wow, anyone who doesn't care about their rep with Mina should do a full kill run through the CIA listening post. It's :lol

Regardless of if this game is GoTY, I'm pretty damn sure it's Comedy of the Year. I can't think of a game that I've played where I've laughed so much.


And the conversation about Mike's name in Rome safehouse is lolololol.

Yeah, some of the lines are just pure gold.

 

[Pooya]

Regardless of if this game is GoTY, I'm pretty damn sure it's Comedy of the Year. I can't think of a game that I've played where I've laughed so much.

that it is.
the dog/girl conversation with

Spoiler

Brayko

was so....
:lol :lol :lol :lol

 

[subversus]

I like the first conversation with Scarlet.

Spoiler

The one in the plane. She says that there's something she'd written or done in this mag (I don't remember what she said exactly but the point is that the result of her efforts is in the magazine). Thorton opens the mag, sees half of the double-bage spread ad with the girl in it and asks Scralet if you go suave: "Is it your legs?"

 

[kiryogi]

Oh dammit I wish I went thru as a recruit now. Sounds like Veteran has some pretty interesting choices you can make. Looks like I'll be playing this game at least 3 times now :lol D:

 

[Basileus777]

Oh dammit I wish I went thru as a recruit now. Sounds like Veteran has some pretty interesting choices you can make. Looks like I'll be playing this game at least 3 times now :lol D:

Veteran doesn't really give you much more than the extra skill points. You have a bunch of veteran dialogue options in the graybox and then a few (not many) scattered around the rest of the game.

 

[BudokaiMR2]

Yeah I agree the rewards for being stealthy were cool, and it really did feel like a powerful skill, probably too much so.

But I guess the actual stealth gameplay didn't feel rewarding enough. If that makes any sense. I guess that it is just inevitable in a skill based game, but it bothers me that I can stand in the middle of a small room with 5 bodies around me, slashing at the air in front of the last guy who still hasn't moved for the last 30 seconds. It really did feel like easy mode with a full stealth build.

I have to say I love Heck the most probably. I was expecting to treat him like an asshole after reading his dossier, but that first scene was just gold

 

[kiryogi]

Veteran doesn't really give you much more than the extra skill points. You have a bunch of veteran dialogue options in the graybox and then a few (not many) scattered around the rest of the game.

? I thought it gave some choices that let you pursue two things at once or something? Maybe not D:

 

[Zaphyr]

? I thought it gave some choices that let you pursue two things at once or something? Maybe not D:

Spoiler

In the Brayko mission I got to get the halbech data from the vault AND save my ally from Brayko because I chose the 'veteran' option.

 

[kiryogi]

Spoiler

In the Brayko mission I got to get the halbech data from the vault AND save my ally from Brayko because I chose the 'veteran' option.

Yeah, I heard that so I was excited at what the other possibilities are.

Spoiler

Like maybe being able to save the president and stop the riot in Taipei? Thought I imagine the Madison decision remains the same

 

[Zaphyr]

Yeah, I heard that so I was excited at what the other possibilities are.

Spoiler

Like maybe being able to save the president and stop the riot in Taipei? Thought I imagine the Madison decision remains the same

Spoiler

Madison decision does remain the same. Too much of a plot point I suppose.

 

[D2M15]

I'm pretty damn sure it's Comedy of the Year.

Spoiler

It is unclear how Thorton escaped the medical area, as he encrypted the video to his PDA. To date Thorton has watched the video 147 times.

 

[Future PhaZe]

Honestly I don't know how people are playing this other than as a stealth type of game. The only thing that's making the gameplay any good after the first few hours is the stealth element. I couldn't imagine just blasting through everyone because the gunplay is so awful.

The game is becoming something of a chore, but the interesting story choices are keeping me going. In terms of characters I prefer the entire ME2 cast to pretty much anyone here other than maybe Thornton, and I'll take Dragons Age's primary characters (Morrigan, Allistair) as well.

As far as taking things from AP to improve Biowares next games I really like the on your feet decision making, and having to actually consider conversations and read characters to form positive relationships.

I'm still having fun with the game, and think that overall the idea was incredible. I'd love to see another attempt at a Spy roleplaying game, but the on the ground mechanics have to be a lot better. If we could just get Splinter Cell like gameplay on the ground combined with the dialogue and roleplaying elements of AP we'd have a great game.

 

[AgentOtaku]

So overall, is PC + 360 controller the way to go on this one?

Getting ready to bite!

 

[duckroll]

So overall, is PC + 360 controller the way to go on this one?

Getting ready to bite!

Yup. That's the sweet spot combo.

 

[AgentOtaku]

Yup. That's the sweet spot combo.

word

 

[kai3345]

Just finished Rome, I literally sat there for at least 5 minutes thinking of my choice for the big decision.

Spoiler

I ended up saving Madison, who then dumped me. Stupid bitch

 

[rollingstart]

The response from critics and whatnot is more surprising given what other games they fawn over. Considering most games are at worst given average marks, AP getting so trashed was unexpected. Personally I enjoyed it more than some of the bigger games this year.

Wow, anyone who doesn't care about their rep with Mina should do a full kill run through the CIA listening post. It's :lol

Regardless of if this game is GoTY, I'm pretty damn sure it's Comedy of the Year. I can't think of a game that I've played where I've laughed so much.


And the conversation about Mike's name in Rome safehouse is lolololol.

this is true

the way characters threat you when they hate you are just as good. The best is in the Rome safehouse where going to talk to the girl is just:

Her: ...Asshole
Michael: ...Bitch

And Heck. Heck is gold.

The mission in taipei where you walk

Spoiler

in that sludge has interesting results too. When I played it as a good guy, Mina was all helpful and slightly joking. When she hated me, she said something like "not enough, I hope" when Mike asked about how many diseases he would get. :lol

 

[Cep]

Heck: Do you want a hot distraction or a loud distraction?

Spoiler

Scarlet:

What's the difference?
Heck: Hot distractions have more fire
Mike: Aggressive
Heck: Alright Mike, Maximum Carnage it is.

Heck is definitely a hoot.

 

[HK-47]

Honestly I don't know how people are playing this other than as a stealth type of game. The only thing that's making the gameplay any good after the first few hours is the stealth element. I couldn't imagine just blasting through everyone because the gunplay is so awful.

The game is becoming something of a chore, but the interesting story choices are keeping me going. In terms of characters I prefer the entire ME2 cast to pretty much anyone here other than maybe Thornton, and I'll take Dragons Age's primary characters (Morrigan, Allistair) as well.

As far as taking things from AP to improve Biowares next games I really like the on your feet decision making, and having to actually consider conversations and read characters to form positive relationships.

I'm still having fun with the game, and think that overall the idea was incredible. I'd love to see another attempt at a Spy roleplaying game, but the on the ground mechanics have to be a lot better. If we could just get Splinter Cell like gameplay on the ground combined with the dialogue and roleplaying elements of AP we'd have a great game.

Well it isnt a party based game so you arent gonna know the characters as well. They dont seem any more or less archetypal than most Bioware characters outside of the rare Mordin or Alistar. So far this game hasnt had many superfluous characters like Bioware usually does. Obsidian has been improving on this since the bloated cast of NWN 2. I also like that these characters stick out do to personality, not backstory and their traumatic past. It reminds me a bit of Valve's approach to characters, which emphasizes dialogue, expressiveness and personality in establishing characters.


And trust me, I've been waiting for Obsidian to improve their polish and base mechanics. but I've played so many good RPGs that arent polished worth a shit and have to be fan patched that I really dont care anymore. I'll just revivist it 3-4 years down the road when it gets modded like most other games in its genre.

 

[Gamer @ Heart]

Im so glad i quit my hard stealth run and restarted on normal SHit would have been absurb.

Does veteran start with double the stats?

 

[Cep]

Well it isnt a party based game so you arent gonna know the characters as well. They dont seem any more on less archetypal than most Bioware characters outside of the rare Mordin or Alistar. So far this game hasnt had many superfluous characters like Bioware usually does. Obsidian has been improving on this since the bloated cast of NWN 2. I also like that these characters stick out do to personality, not backstory and their traumatic past. It reminds me a bit of Valve's approach to characters, which emphasizes dialogue, expressiveness and personality in establishing characters.

Those two are quite possibly the best Bioware has to produce (Outside of maybe BG2, which I have not played).

And trust me, I've been waiting for Obsidian to improve their polish and base mechanics. but I've played so many good RPGs that arent polished worth a shit and have to be fan patched that I really dont care anymore. I'll just revivist it 3-4 years down the road when it gets modded like most other games in its genre.

Just as long as you are not expecting anything fancy (Unreal Engine 3 and all).

 

[Llyranor]

It's probably a pretty divisive game reviews wise.

Hahaha http://free-pc-guides.com/games/dif...vs-us-reviews-whos-right-and-whos-wrong-01928

Many of you have probably noticed how many radically different Alpha Protocol reviews are out there, both in terms of overall scores but also regarding the appreciated/criticized elements. If you take a closer look at these articles (online or written) you will observe that two trends exist: one that consists of bashing almost all the game’s components, and another one that appreciates the game as a blend that’s ultimately better than the sum of its parts. While both currents identify almost the same issues (mostly graphics and AI departments) the first review category finds these issues “game breaking”, while the latter views them only as some flaws that could have been avoided, but don’t damage the entire gaming experience.

The existence of the two very oposite trends didn’t initially intrigue me too much but, after putting the pieces together, I’ve realized that the “negative” one is emphasized almost exclusively within the US reviews, while the “positive” trend is made out almost entirely out of European Alpha Protocol reviews.

 

[HK-47]

The difference between the US and Euro reviews surprises me not a bit.

 

[Nickiepoo]

Euro reviewers are more forgiving of flawed diamonds eh.

 

[Cep]

Euro reviewers are more forgiving of flawed diamonds eh.

Have you seen the RPGs that come out of East Europe? They sort of have to be more forgiving.

 

[HK-47]

Have you seen the RPGs that come out of East Europe? They sort of have to be more forgiving.

You want a flawed gem or polished stone? Frankly I like the Euro devs a lot more. Especially the Russians.

 

[D2M15]

euros like talking and yanks like shooting derp derp

 

[Y2Kev]

You want a flawed gem or polished stone? Frankly I like the Euro devs a lot more. Especially the Russians.

Depends, how am I feeling?

Also, "flawed gem" is pretty generous for AP. IMO.

 

[Cep]

You want a flawed gem or polished stone? Frankly I like the Euro devs a lot more. Especially the Russians.

I want a polished Gem.

I too like Europeans devs more, but I am under no illusions when it comes to the quality of their work.

euros like talking and yanks like shooting derp derp

I like doing both in equal measure.

 

[WanderingWind]

Depends, how am I feeling?

Also, "flawed gem" is pretty generous for AP. IMO.

I think it qualifies on the strength of its writing and RPG systems alone.

 

[Cep]

I think it qualifies on the strength of its writing and RPG systems alone.

Well those are really all it has to go on.

 

[Tears For Fears]

Sie is the sexiest woman in-gaming hands down. End scene with her was BADASS.

 

[D2M15]

Sie is the sexiest woman ingaming hands down. End scene with here was BADASS.

Also

Spoiler

"Michael, can you please hurry up and kill your friend."

I'd high-five you if I wasn't tied down. Great character/costume design for the ladies overall, though I wish Scarlet had kept her Iron Maiden tee from the concept art (but that was never going to happen.)

Also I want to be

Spoiler

Omen Deng

when I grow up.

 

[WanderingWind]

Well those are really all it has to go on.

And on an RPG, that is all that matters.

 

[Nickiepoo]

Have you seen the RPGs that come out of East Europe? They sort of have to be more forgiving.

I enjoyed STALKER

So yeah.

 

[Cep]

And on an RPG, that is all that matters.

No.

 

[Zenith]

5.7/10

The bad just outweighed the good.

 

[HK-47]

Depends, how am I feeling?

Also, "flawed gem" is pretty generous for AP. IMO.

But we dont care about your opinion, Kev. Shun the non believer.

Spoiler

<3

 

[HK-47]

No.

Geez are you a flip flopper.

 

[D2M15]

Geez are you a flip flopper.

His avatar needs more blue.

 

[Cep]

Geez are you a flip flopper.

No, I find myself to be pretty consistent.

I think that AP is a broken mess in most ways not directly tied to the Dialogue/Writing.

I very much enjoy these, so I personally like the game very much.

When I attempt some level of objectivity however...

 

[Prime crotch]

You want a flawed gem or polished stone? Frankly I like the Euro devs a lot more. Especially the Russians.

not even out-of-the-box STALKER was as rough as AP turned out

 

[HK-47]

not even out-of-the-box STALKER was as rough as AP turned out

Sounds like Bloodlines/Arcanum too me!

 

[Sloane]

Have you seen the RPGs that come out of East Europe? They sort of have to be more forgiving.

Why would German / Spanish / French / UK magazines care about games that come out of East Europe? And what exactly does Alpha Protocol have to do with those? :lol

 

[Prime crotch]

Sounds like Bloodlines/Arcanum too me!

actually both those games were better made than AP, even with all the bugs; even the writting left me disapointed, but at least the writers noticed what they were doing wrong, that's why there's so many hilarious shit throw in

AP is weird as a game, sometimes is pretty fun other times is dreadfully boring. I think had they gone with dice rolls for the aiming and not a cone of randomness, that would have helped

 

[legbone]

Sie is the sexiest woman in-gaming hands down. End scene with her was BADASS.

i too think SIE is amazing. i am waiting for a price drop but i am so tempted to go get the game just so i can start working towards bedding her.

 

[Reluctant-Hero]

i too think SIE is amazing. i am waiting for a price drop but i am so tempted to go get the game just so i can start working towards bedding her.

SIE is awesome, too bad I didn't get to interact with her more. I'm nearly complete on my first playthrough (Rookie on normal, specializing in Assault Rifles, Toughness and Martial Arts).

I made a few choices that resulted in both SIE and Sis barely being present in my playthrough.

Spoiler

I chose Albatross over SIE as my handler when I went looking for Surkov at the Embassy. Then I didn't do the boat mission soon enough to meet SIs and I lost the option for run the mission entirely.

This resulted in me getting angry email from SIE after I

Spoiler

saved Madison

. And Sis

Spoiler

came out of nowhere to rescue me from the lab table in Alpha Protocol HQ

, that was the first time I saw her in my entire game.

Like others have said, AP is a diamond in the rough. It's a shame that many US reviewers have given it low scores. Now I need to finish the endgame and begin my Veteran run!

 

[Danne-Danger]

not even out-of-the-box STALKER was as rough as AP turned out

Eeeeeeeeh that's a bit of a stretch. I mean the shooting kinda sucked in that one too until you got a decent weapon (and even then if you hit anywhere besides the head your shots would have basically no effect). And then you had the quest system, and the degradation not working properly, broken missions and a lot more crashes.

 

[jim-jam bongs]

I've kind of tired of this game. It's probably because I played it so much in such a short space of time but once the strengths of the game lose their shine it really does get pretty mediocre. Not that I haven't enjoyed the time I spent with it, it was certainly top-tier in the writing stakes which is important to me. But the gameplay is ultimately just too full of bugs, glitches and downright stupid design-choices, like high-level Shadow Operative being absurdly overpowered so that they didn't need to find a more interesting way to make stealth viable in the end-game.

This might seem pretty harsh, but earlier in this thread I likened AP to Deus Ex. On a more sober evaluation I'd say it's closer to Invisible War in most areas.