Posted April 01, 2024
Alpha Protocol's finale... Utterly sucks.
One of the best aspects of Alpha Protocol as a game is that you're given multiple choices in how you approach scenarios. You can choose to execute a potential villain or arrest him or actually work with him for the greater good. You can approach situations guns-a-blazin' or try sneaking your way past enemies. You can even pay for other people to stage distractions so you can have less difficulty in accomplishing your mission.
So how does the finale play out? BY TAKING AWAY YOUR CHOICES.
You're forced to fight your way through the Alpha Protocol base, with stuff blowing up around you, a dozen enemies a la Max Payne, and said enemies being bulletsponges. And despite you possibly having good relations with AP staff members, Darcy opens fire on you and you LITERALLY tell Westridge to "Fuck Off", thus denying you the chance to talk them down and see your POV.
Of all the ways to end an RPG built around choice, this was NOT how you should've done it. I guess they were trying to emulate Mass Effect: In that other game, the climax was Sovereign and Sarin raiding the Citadel to destroy it, with explosions and wrecked buildings and tons of enemies. But here's the thing: In that other game, you were Shepard: A squad commander who had two squadmates to back him up during the onslaught. And by this time, your squadmates of choice would've been more than ready for the job. So fighting bulletsponge enemy armies made sense. Alpha Protocol's enemy encounters were designed to be one-man affairs, and so trying to do something similar to the Battle of Citadel in a game built around subterfuge and choice makes no sense.
One of the best aspects of Alpha Protocol as a game is that you're given multiple choices in how you approach scenarios. You can choose to execute a potential villain or arrest him or actually work with him for the greater good. You can approach situations guns-a-blazin' or try sneaking your way past enemies. You can even pay for other people to stage distractions so you can have less difficulty in accomplishing your mission.
So how does the finale play out? BY TAKING AWAY YOUR CHOICES.
You're forced to fight your way through the Alpha Protocol base, with stuff blowing up around you, a dozen enemies a la Max Payne, and said enemies being bulletsponges. And despite you possibly having good relations with AP staff members, Darcy opens fire on you and you LITERALLY tell Westridge to "Fuck Off", thus denying you the chance to talk them down and see your POV.
Of all the ways to end an RPG built around choice, this was NOT how you should've done it. I guess they were trying to emulate Mass Effect: In that other game, the climax was Sovereign and Sarin raiding the Citadel to destroy it, with explosions and wrecked buildings and tons of enemies. But here's the thing: In that other game, you were Shepard: A squad commander who had two squadmates to back him up during the onslaught. And by this time, your squadmates of choice would've been more than ready for the job. So fighting bulletsponge enemy armies made sense. Alpha Protocol's enemy encounters were designed to be one-man affairs, and so trying to do something similar to the Battle of Citadel in a game built around subterfuge and choice makes no sense.