Alpha Protocol Preview

After receiving “an extensive preview of the E3 build”, IGN has put together a two-page preview of Obsidian Entertainment’s Alpha Protocol.

Aside from direct decisions, you’re also going to shape your character through a hefty upgrade system. There are several types of operative you can become. You can lean on tech, be more of a straight-forward soldier, a stealthy spy or any mix in between.

You have nine different skills to upgrade to level 10. Eventually you choose a specialization, which allows three associated skills to be raised to level 15. Each skill, at different levels, offers up some extra abilities through perks. You can get the Chain Shot, for example, which slows time so you can paint multiple targets for a barrage of rapid-fire shots. The Tech Aptitude skill boosts the power of your gadgets and eventually earns you the Field Stripping perk, which enables you to change your weapon customizations on the fly. How you progress your character is going to affect how you approach missions, simply because of your skill set.

Upgrading your character’s stats is only half of your customization. You’re a spy, so weapons and gadgets are part of the trade. Don’t discount your inventory it can make or break your mission. Depending on your character’s class, you have a set amount of weapons and gadgets you can carry. Before each mission, it’s up to you to decide how to prepare yourself. You can add custom items to your weapons (sights, silencers, pistol grips, etc.), upgrade your armor (which affects your endurance and noise you make while moving), and choose your gadgets (remote mines, EMP charges, radio mimic, etc.).