Last week, Sierra hosted a party for its forthcoming third-person action/adventure game Prototype. Tucked away in a corner, the company's producers showed off a live demo of the game in action, still in an early state but impressive nonetheless. The publisher was kind enough to give us a run through, and thus far, the game looks incredible.

In the game, you control Alex Mercer, a stranger who has no idea who he is. All he knows is two things. Number one, a military group called the Blackwatch wants him very badly. Second, he has the power to shape shift to the point of gross mutation. In fact, he can copy any one or thing he comes across, be it a chum on the street or a superhuman creature sent out by the Blackwatch. It's do or die at this point, and Alex will do anything to stay alive and discover the roots of his mysterious past.

Prototype definitely has a vibe similar to Radical Entertainment's previous game, The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction. The main anti-hero in the game has the power to trash New York City any way he chooses, punching cars and jumping on top of them, as if they were springboards. He can also run up walls (a feature that stood out in the Hulk game) and perform other acrobatic feats, such as flips over fences or grasping onto overhangs. However, there are differences between this guy and the Hulk. For example, he can climb into vehicles and use them, such as a tank.

One part of the hands-on demonstration showed him shooting down a chopper with a powerful mortar shell. The supernatural capabilities are a plus as well, such as the ability to summon spikes out of the ground to impale surrounding foes or grow protective armor to avoid taking massive damage from groups of enemies.

Visually, Prototype's environments are very detailed, bringing a troublesome New York City to life. The town bends around its huge buildings and streets and showcases plenty of interaction with real folks, running around in fear and taking damage from the game's antagonist. Constant military forces pour out throughout the city, with multiple enemies on-screen at once and larger vehicles such as tanks and helicopters coming into play -- and this doesn't include the supernatural beasts. There are a few visual hitches, but overall, Radical Entertainment created a magnificent looking environment.

Sadly, the demo ended way too soon, but the stage is set for an action epic, and Prototype shouldn't disappoint.

Related Links

Prototype Game Guide

Sierra