Goldeneye 007

Shaken, not stirred. Underwhelming, not impressive.

I was warned about this game, and that it fails to live up to how good you want it to be, based on the original N64 classic.

Unfortunately, the reports were spot on. The game offers nothing new or impressive. Its a bog standard Run, get shot, hide until screen gets less red shooter.

The story line is bland, voice acting more so. Graphics are average, and after the first 3 levels, I really had lost all motivation to carry on playing the game. And I review the game like I felt when I played it. Sub par, and if anything, longer than it needed to be.

Rating - 3/10
Fair Price - £8

Prototype 2

I feel... taller. And mutated. And I have a sword for hands.

You gain the ability to morph your hands into multiple items.

Prototype 2 follows on from the mould of the first. A virus is let loose in New York (where else), which turns its victims into flesh eat monsters. Your new character (James) is infected by the primary character from Prototype 1 (Alex Mercer), who gives you his gift. Instead of becoming brain dead, the special strand of virus you obtain mutates your DNA, giving you super human speed, strength and abilities, as well as the vital ability to consume others and assume their form - your primary tool in being stealthful. The game mixes both stealth play and all out attacking well.

A couple of things before I continue -

1. New York. Again. Virtually every film and game based around zombies, mutant.. it's based in New York. I wish that there was slightly more variety in locations. Apart from the name and cliche that the game is set in New York, I can't imagine it is geographically accurate. I have never been, but I can't imagine Private Military bases every few blocks. Base the game in Manchester or Liverpool (fairly complex DNA in the people there anyway). Get the Greyhound and set the game in Boston, Chicago.. Just something slightly different would be appreciated.
2. An additional side effect of the virus is apparently the replacing of all socially acceptable adjectives in the brain to extensive swear words. Prototype 2 is very, very sweary. A !&@# load of !&@#s come !&@#ing streaming out of almost every mother !&@#ers mouth and every !&@#ing opportunity. Not to be played around children.

Your character can use the environment to eliminte the zombie threat. And the army, who areof course trying to kill you as well..

 The game itself is ridiculously fun. Sandbox games are often limited in enjoyment duration - either it takes far too long to do anything "cool" you lose interest, or it gives you far too many abilities to master with the learning curve of running into a brick wall. Prototype 2 has managed to control these aspects perfectly. The game itself is fun from the beginning, spoon feeding you new skills at a speed which allows to master each one. Graphically, the game is nothing special, there is nothing ground breaking in terms of music, or voice acting. But the game is undeniably fun.It manages to do what few games do and completely immerses you in a different reality and lets you have fun with it.

Eventually you'll be able to hijack tanks, helicopters, weapons.. Whilst the story follows a pretty standard zombie/infection path, the gameplay keeps you hooked, and like a good sandbox game should, you often find yourself roaming around the map doing odd bits and bobs rather than missions.

I have really enjoyed playing Prototype 2. Its pretty £%#!ing good.

Rating - 8/10
Fair Price - £28