14 DAY TRIAL // What we know:
Radical Entertainment has managed to create a pretty solid new franchise with 2009’s Prototype, and now the development team has a chance to show that its ideas about open world action games have legs, by designing a sequel that takes the best concepts and develops them in interesting ways.
The biggest changes seem to have been made to the mutations, with new character Heller able to create forms that are more powerful and use objects around him, including the weapons from tanks, in order to get more options during fights.
There are also new powers, like radar to pinpoint threats and quest items, and a new ability to infect enemy soldiers and then use them against their own units.
The plot of Prototype 2 will involve both the Heller versus Mercer conflict, which should make for some pretty interesting set-pieces, and wider tale about Blacklight, the virus, how New York City is being affected and how the threat can be ended.
Prototype 2 currently has a launch date of April 24 in North America and April 27 in the rest of the world, with the game set to be playable on the PlayStation 3, the Xbox 360 and the PC.
Why it matters: Prototype was an uneven game that had a couple of very exciting mechanics and the sequel has the chance to deliver a tighter, smaller game package that focuses on a set of core mechanics, like a more organic mutation process and more big mutant versus mutant fights.
The story should also be more important this time around, with Joseph Heller motivated by revenge and clearly set up as a tragic hero, one that can only complete his own quest by causing those around him much harm.
Prototype 2 also offers Activision a much-needed chance to diversify its portfolio after a long period during which it has relied on just World of Warcraft and Call of Duty for revenue.
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