Poll: Alpha Protocol, is it worth it?

[nightwolf667]

Nobody is saying Mass Effect's writing/story is perfect. But better than Alpha Protocol's? By miles. And better than most games? Yes.

Indeed. AP is fantastic. I was critisizing ME's writing, and was suggesting how to improve ME's writing.

Sorry, I misread your post. Nevermind. Mass Effect's writing just isn't that good.

If you think AP's plot wasn't good, then I suspect you may have missed, you know, large chunks of the plot. I'd recomend a replay, but I doubt it would help you. Given that Mass Effect's straight forward plot is more your speed... well, there's nothing really wrong with that for you. For me, I'd like something with a little more meat.

Compare Mass Effect's story to Oblivion's or Fallout 3's or pretty much any JRPG, and you'll be damn thankful that Bioware is still around. Nobody else truly puts story first on the priorities list.

Well, I am rather glad they still exist, but more for gameplay than their writing.

I need a game with story good enough to base books on. That's Mass Effect...three and counting. Will they ever make a book based on any part of Alpha Protocol? Highly doubtful. Partially because it steals more than enough from Mass Effect to begin with, and partially because the game will be in the bargain bin in three months.

Sooo by that logic since Halo has more books that Mass Effect that means Halo's writing is superior to Mass Effect's. I mean they've at least eight and a running comic and an anime.

But hey, the novels are better than the crap Karpyshyn spits out in the pages of his... can you really call them novels? It's more like literary diarrhea to be honest. I once read part of a chapter of his along side the Eye of Argon and unfortunately his did not improve upon the comparison. And we all know that the Eye of Argon is quite possibly the worst piece of fantasy ever written.

Books that come out about video games are a marketing ploy, they are labeled as marketing by publishers and most often contracted out to the writers who are on staff at the publishing house. Unfortunately, Bioware made the mistake of handing over the novelizations of their video game to one of their lead writers which was a mistake. Other companies are smart enough to hire an experienced author or let the publisher pick for them. That's why the books on any scale, including the drek that gets tossed around in the tie-in lines are not worth wiping your ass with.

Seriously, I'd take Karen Traviss any day of the week and I despise her and her Fettish.

 

[AllLagNoFrag]

Well, I made the mistake of buying this game, being another fan of the Mass Effect Universe and only taking one opinion from someone saying that this is like a Mass Effect game but, with spies. This is right BUT, the better answer would be its a crap version of a Mass Effect game. Besides the timed dialogue which is a clever addition, there is nothing in this game that no other game has done way better. Just when I wanted a mod that auto-completes Bypass minigames for my Mass Effect games, I would gladly do them rather than the frustrating mini-games in Alpha Protocol.

As for romance, as some people are interested in and the huge question "How far does it go?" (Im answering this just in case you are wondering). It is no more "satisfying" or "Tasteful" than the ones shown in Mass Effect 2. Literally for 3 out of the 4 romance options, its a kiss and black out screen. Thats all.

This game is a 4th grade stealth shooter too with many reported bugs. I found that the main character that you play as *Michael Thorton* can open doors but, not close them and can leap off one side of a ledge, but not the other etc.

At best, this game is just worth a rent or going over to one of your friend's house to play.

 

[Starke]

I didn't say that the number of books counted for diddily.

I need a game with story good enough to base books on. That's Mass Effect...three and counting.

Hmm... based on what you wrote, yeah, you did. Now, that might not have been your intent, but it is what you said.

Just that the story needs to have depth enough in order for the option for a book adaptation to be there.

Well, that certainly explains how there's tie ins for the Underworld films and three tie in novels for Hellgate: London. No. Wait, that didn't make sense. There's this thing called marketing. You do understand marketing right? Would you like to make a point that actually follows logic?

While we're on the subject, that certainly explains why there is no adaptation of Mass Effect. The novels are tie ins that desperately try to plug the leaking plot holes that are taking on water. Not, you know, adaptations.

It was very rare for older games to have a book based on them, even if the story was incredible, but that doesn't mean there COULDN'T have been a book based on Torment.

In point of fact there is one.

And Alpha Protocol just doesn't have that kind of depth.

I'm not so sure. See, when I played AP, I actually understood it. But, I can understand that isn't a mutual aspect of our discussion.

That's why there will never be a book based on its story.

Again, it's not like there will ever bee a good Mass Effect novel, so on the whole basically no difference.

Well, that, and the aforementioned plagiarism in part of Mass Effect.

I'm confused, is this the same way Mass Effect plagiarized Killswitch? Or the same way Mass Effect plagiarized Jade Empire?

This all comes down to opinion of course, so neither one of us is going to bring the other over to our way of thinking.

Well, I understand your inflexibility. But, if you'd bring a good argument with evidence to the forefront, I'd listen.

In terms of the games as a whole, though, I think it's safe to assume that I hold the opinions of the vast majority on my side when I say that Mass Effect > Alpha Protocol.

If we're going to be democratic, Twilight > Mass Effect. Yeah... the majority of entertainment consumers are perennially idiots.

Actually, if we're using that logic, and that example you can certainly set up the argument that the more popular something is the lower it's quality will be. I'm not saying this is 100% the case. But, you have films like the Michael Bay Transformers films or, for that matter the Twilight films raking in the cash while Watchman dies in the box office.

And just to preempt your response to that statement: no, I don't hold the opinions of the majority in very high regard, lest we review Bush getting elected twice.

Yeah, that and incumbents have a humongous vote advantage. In senatorial races it runs around 90%. The President doesn't quite get that, but it is close.

I do think, however, that there are plenty of intelligent individuals scattered within that majority along with all of the ignorant.

Unfortunately, like fans of Alpha Protocol the intelligent seem to be in the minority. Though, as with other things, there does seem to be a psychotic media spin on the subject.

 

[LikeTeeth]

it's like ME1 except the story isn't shit and the combat's a bit shoddy. Definitely worth a buy, support Obsidian they do mostly good work

did you say me1s story is shit!? heresy!!! its a witch! burn him!

YOU GET THE ROPE I'LL GET THE BURNING TOOLS

 

[Volafortis]

I'm considering getting it for PC.

I also loved ME1 & 2, although I'd say AP should be compared to Deus Ex more than ME, from what I've seen. No matter, I love Deus Ex.

 

[Starke]

I'm considering getting it for PC.

I also loved ME1 & 2, although I'd say AP should be compared to Deus Ex more than ME, from what I've seen. No matter, I love Deus Ex.

Yeah, Deus Ex is a much more accurate comparison. It's definitely in that same territory of a sneaker you can choose to shoot your way through.

EDIT: BTW: I love seeing the Kestrel as your avatar.

 

[Serioli]

I really enjoyed it but definitely should be played as a SPY game and not a shooter/GoW clone. Story is very changeable and not simply related to good/evil choices. I'm starting my 4th playthrough now. (Veteran playthrough woo!)