Alpha Protocol Preview

Obsidian Entertainment’s Alpha Protocol seems to be getting quite a bit of preview coverage lately, with another article popping up at VideoGamer.

Three main dialogue stances, aggressive, suave and professional, present themselves at the bottom of the screen, all tied to face buttons. A countdown bar quickly evaporates you only have a couple of seconds to pick what approach you’re going to take with each line of dialogue. As in Mass Effect, you don’t know exactly what you’re going to say the text you’ve selected only gives an idea of what’s going to be said. Mike and Grigori chat words flow quickly and smoothly the countdown ensuring there are no awkward pauses during exchanges, as in so many video games. Perks are acquired as you make nice. Dossiers are unlocked as you gain intel. Grigori tells you to seek out Sergie Serkov, a man who runs several businesses in Moscow. He may know who shady faction Halbech is dealing with. Mina, who talks to you via an earpiece, runs checks as you chat.

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Alpha Protocol employs a dossier system that enables you to gather intelligence on factions and key NPCs. As you near 100 per cent completion on these dossiers, you’ll unlock dialogue options you wouldn’t have access to otherwise. You might have the option to say something that’s personal to them they might respect your background check, or they might hate you for touching a nerve.

And the story reacts to every decision, too, right up to the endgame. Who you’ve killed, who you’ve let live, who you’ve shagged (yes, Alpha Protocol has sex) it all has an effect. That’s why reputation is important. That’s why you should care.