By John Walker on March 27th, 2009 at 5:14 pm.
Each new Prototype trailer has us giggling like children at the gorish ludicrosity of it all. Running up the sides of buildings, caving in heads on the sides of buildings, throwing cars at helicopters, morphing into a giant fisted madman. These are just some of the things we do when we’ve watched them. A little joke for you there. Below is the latest trailer, which gives you a top 10 reasons why you should want to play it. And frankly, they had us with “Projectile Dysfunction”.
Kieron had a little play of it last month, and you’d do well to read his impressions here. Looking at the footage, it’s hard to imagine how this Hulk-meets-Rampage open city madness could be anything other than fun, and Kieron had a great time with it. It’s still a few months away, but is due to arrive in June – the perfect timing for a summer blockbuster nonsense-fest.
27/03/2009 at 17:24 Jim Rossignol says:
BIFF!
27/03/2009 at 17:27 suibhne says:
Okay, that’s ridiculously entertaining.
27/03/2009 at 17:29 Ian says:
Oh my, did he just elbow drop a tank??
27/03/2009 at 17:29 Steven Hutton says:
The main reason I play games is to liveout a childish power fantasy. I am thus EXTREMELY excited about prototype.
27/03/2009 at 17:31 Surgeon says:
Kapow!
27/03/2009 at 17:38 Rudolfo says:
zomg, is that a game where you can’t die? If so, I want one!
27/03/2009 at 17:38 Markoff Chaney says:
This is better and better looking with every showing.
I also feel that should be a new violence setting – None / Green / Red / Ludicrous. I know which one I’d opt for.
27/03/2009 at 17:39 heartless_ says:
Why does someone that can smash a tank with their backside, hop in one and drive off in it?
27/03/2009 at 17:48 Dominic White says:
Rudolfo: If it’s anything like the developers previous game, Hulk: Ultimate Destruction, then it is possible to die, but it will literally take an armys worth of firepower to do it.
Later in Hulk, the enemy start bringing out giant robots to deal with you, and fights with them could level whole city blocks. I hope Prototype has that kind of escalation of firepower.
27/03/2009 at 17:49 Lambo says:
@heartless-
Because then you can enter your tank and win in the games optional “prettiest tank” contest that unlocks the games tank customization which lets you change between the three different shades of green on the turret!
Or at least it better, or else I’m not buying the game.
27/03/2009 at 17:49 Okami says:
@Ian: Actually he first shot the tank with a rocket launcher while flying through the sky and then elbow droped the tank!
27/03/2009 at 17:52 SlappyBag says:
I like I just came a little…
27/03/2009 at 17:52 Steven Hutton says:
@heartless
I think we both know the answer to that: “Because it’s awesome!”
27/03/2009 at 17:56 mandrill says:
This just looks like an excuse to blow stuff up and destroy everything without consequence. It is a damning indictment of the state of video gaming today where its all about the mindless violence.
Guess what? I’m REALLY looking forward to it XD
27/03/2009 at 17:58 motherpuncher says:
This is like superjail but a videogame. Violence porn is fun!
27/03/2009 at 18:13 Wurzel says:
Re: #2, I think when it gets to the point of almost flight and being able to run all the way up buildings it’s beyond the remit of ‘parkour’
27/03/2009 at 18:18 MrFake says:
I peed a little.
Also, #11: Free-Camera Replay! … please?
27/03/2009 at 18:26 theleif says:
Once in a while, a game is being made that you indistinctly know you’ll love. This i one of them.
27/03/2009 at 18:27 LQB says:
I have no idea whats going on but it looks pretty awesome.
27/03/2009 at 18:32 Pags says:
Fuck it, I’ve been cautiously optimistic about this and it has finally moved into the category of ‘do want now’.
27/03/2009 at 18:44 Matzerath says:
His insatiable hatred of helicopters is infectious.
27/03/2009 at 18:59 sbs says:
that stuff is frighteningly close to the kind of shit i do when i have lucid dreams.
27/03/2009 at 19:01 hydra9 says:
As an old codger born on January 1st, 1908, I approve of this game.
27/03/2009 at 19:06 AJ says:
What’s with all the civilian slaughtering?
27/03/2009 at 19:24 Alex says:
Oh god looking forward to this so much. I am also in the camp of people playing games for absurd power and this looks like a few steps above Crackdown. AWESOME.
27/03/2009 at 19:25 CG says:
I think this game pinpoints exactly what we secretly want from all games, which is to be a horrible vicious monster.
27/03/2009 at 19:55 Deadend says:
Yes yes, being able to blow up a tank, or steal it is quite awesome. But did anyone else see the bit where you steam a guy’s appearance, then point a finger at someone else and accuse THEM of being you? As that was the best part.
27/03/2009 at 19:56 Pags says:
Yeah that was the bit that moved it into the realms of ‘do want now’ for me.
27/03/2009 at 20:02 Petethegoat says:
Jesus, I was looking forward to this, but frankly, those running animations put me off it all together. I really hope they get changed before release.
Maybe I’ve just been spoiled by GTA 4′s animation (which, incidentally, plays beautifully on my two machines).
27/03/2009 at 20:02 A Button says:
I’m hoping you can still run around like a horrid little monkey after stealing someone’s appearance.
The hoody is not doing it for me.
27/03/2009 at 20:07 monkeyhat says:
For me it was the part where he jumps on top of a car, grabs it, and throws it at a helicopter in one smooth motion. Very fluid.
27/03/2009 at 20:08 DD says:
good GOD this game looks so sweet!
27/03/2009 at 20:15 Chalkster says:
*head explodes*
27/03/2009 at 20:17 clive dunn says:
right, hang on now everyone, just who the hell is going to clear up all that mess?
27/03/2009 at 20:30 Mil says:
Looks a bit too violent for my taste. It’ll be interesting to see if there is any gameplay depth beyond the spectacular visual element.
As an aside, I’m wondering if there will be a PC outrage about this game. To me it would seem a much more obvious target than RE5, but I’m often wrong about these things. If there is, what will be the angle?
27/03/2009 at 20:45 Matzerath says:
This game is called ‘Prototype?’
Gee willikers, I wonder what one of the late-game twists/bosses is going to be?!?!?!?
27/03/2009 at 22:05 NeonWraith says:
Oh my holy god. DO WANT. I must admit I’m almost unafraid to ask, but, um…what’s the plot about?
27/03/2009 at 22:33 Lord_Mordja says:
This game looks like it will the the ultimate asshole-simulator.
I can’t wait.
27/03/2009 at 22:42 Rudolfo says:
I love this comments thread. Such vicious critique of a game so well conceptionalised and executed.
Especially “damning indictment of the state of video gaming today where its all about the mindless violence” cracked me up.
27/03/2009 at 22:58 Adventurous Putty says:
WE ARE THE RPS HIVEMIND. YOUR PRAISE AND ADULATION IS APPRECIATED AND BEEN CATALOGED INTO OUR DATABASE.
RESISTANCE IS FUTILE. JOIN US OR YOU WILL BE ASSIMILATED.
27/03/2009 at 23:05 Pijama says:
That game should be called “OMFG”.
Also, what the fuck, the hoodieman consumed the guy in front of everyone and nobody got scared shitless? :|
Other than that, I am looking forward for it. Sometimes, escapism is better done playing a PEARL OF TOTAL RAGE. :)
27/03/2009 at 23:28 Dracogeno says:
A Tetsuo simulator.
I always wanted one.
I miss the ragged cape though.
27/03/2009 at 23:41 Pags says:
KAAAANEEDAAAAAAAAA!
28/03/2009 at 00:02 Commentor says:
This looks extremely fun. The beginning somehow felt a bit weird, though. Then, when he hijacked the helicopter, I realized it. This somehow seems a lot like Mercs 2. I liked Mercs 2, but only played about 20 hours before I stopped. I have a feeling this will be much, much better, though.
28/03/2009 at 00:24 MetalCircus says:
Wow. I want this very much. Looks like Crackdown (one of the most fun games ever) crossed with the hulk with shapeshifting thrown in for good measure. Hurrah for childish fantasy games!
28/03/2009 at 00:47 Arathain says:
Hulk: Ultimate Destruction was tremendous fun- pretty much the perfect Hulk game. This looks like that, only way slicker and faster and more brutal. Loverly.
Hmm, and Hulk had a very decent control system too, so more big hopes.
28/03/2009 at 01:31 Benga says:
looks like the Thing vs Mercenaries so pretty damn sweet!!
28/03/2009 at 01:37 Phil H says:
Fuck yes, this is continuing to look like a worthy followup to Hulk: Ultimate Destruction, but the bit that got me with this trailer is the Patsy, that was absolutely brilliant and I have a feeling I’ll be doing that a lot!
28/03/2009 at 02:04 Beastman says:
I must admit I’m almost unafraid to ask, but, um…what’s the plot about?
The what?
28/03/2009 at 04:08 Post Maker says:
Kotaku gave this a run over on their site as well, and I have to say that the comments over there are almost enough to make me cry. Gigantic, sprawling threads filled to the brim with people completely missing the point of this game and busily congratulating each other on how smart they are.
One person actually complained about how the windows aren’t transparent and that the player isn’t able to see the inside of every single building. It’s a complaint so grounded in fantasy that I have grasping even the idea that he might think about whining about it.
28/03/2009 at 04:16 MA6200 says:
Oh, wow.
The whole trailer was pretty badass, but they had a sale early on I think, when he grabbed the special forces guy and surfed down the street on his corpse.
28/03/2009 at 04:50 Weylund says:
Is… is it wrong for a human being to love a game in “that way”?
28/03/2009 at 05:10 Scandalon says:
Some things look impressive, I can see why it was delayed. Most of the animations still looked…off. I hope they actually do something with the “I’m a pissed off jerk and don’t care if I kill innocents” angle…
28/03/2009 at 10:39 Ian says:
Actually it was when they brought out the giant robots that I mostly got bored of Hulk: Ultimate Destruction, which is a shame because it was almost as much fun to just move around the city as Spider-Man 2. The big robots just didn’t feel enough like you were hitting them. They were more like a giant block with a health bar, even when you were tossing cars and stuff at them.
28/03/2009 at 11:14 grey_painter says:
@MA6200
What sold it for me was after surfing the guy he kicked him into a tank causing the tank to explode. Using people as deadly projectiles looks very fun and stupid in the best way.
28/03/2009 at 12:14 Tei says:
*THIS* is my new definition of awesome.
28/03/2009 at 13:13 hydra9 says:
@Post Maker:
Best to avoid most of the comments threads on Kotaku, if you want to retain a little glimmer of faith in humanity.
28/03/2009 at 13:28 A-Scale says:
Hur Hur they said pwn and a word that sounds like erectile. I am so glad that they did market research on how to appeal to the 18-24 year old male demographic. I feel like they’re talking right to me!
28/03/2009 at 14:09 Rei Onryou says:
Blowing up helicopters by using people as projectiles? WIN!
Using people as skateboards? WIN!
Assuming this actually gets good reviews on release, I’m sold.
28/03/2009 at 16:32 Chaz says:
Wow this looks like what you get if you pumped Crackdown full of drugs and then soaked it in the blood of an unholy sacrifice, and I want it.
28/03/2009 at 19:40 Meat Circus says:
When Crackdown goes bad. Really bad. Bad like a honey badger on a narky bender.
28/03/2009 at 20:53 Leeks! says:
That might actually be so much fun that there will be no fun left for anything else. Like the end of Akira, but with joy.
28/03/2009 at 21:50 Inanimotion says:
I am so utterly confused after watching that trailer.
28/03/2009 at 21:59 Arathain says:
What on earth is there to be confused about? It’s a game with spectacular running about and smashing.
29/03/2009 at 04:08 egg says:
Guess there’s something wrong with me. Because after watching the trailer, I was not amused.
29/03/2009 at 07:13 Testicular Torsion says:
Ditto. I can see why people are excited about it — it looks like a ton of fun, frankly. The fluid running and jumping looks sweet. The “Patsy” part was ridiculously awesome. But I just can’t get past the “let’s kill lots of people, soldiers and civilians alike, in increasingly cruel and gory fashions” thing.
I’ve tried, really. A friend of mine is a programmer on the game, so I’m trying hard to like it each time a new trailer comes out, but they all seem to be glorifying gratuitous bloody violence on a massive scale, which I just can’t get past. Sigh.
29/03/2009 at 11:28 Saul says:
Fuckin’ wow. Finally a game not made by Valve that I can get excited about.
29/03/2009 at 12:21 Levi says:
Wow. You guy serious!? I’m… I’m… pumped! It’s amazing and beautiful.
@Testicular Torsion: Just imagine each person you kill as your boss, or someone you hate… you can do so many things. Oh gosh I can’t wait.
I LOVE PROTOTYPE!
29/03/2009 at 15:01 Arathain says:
I admit I have problems with the indiscriminate nature of the violence. I’m not a huge fan of civilian slaughter. Still… it does look like a lot of fun, and enthusiasm can overcome some of my distaste. But I think that’s a good reason to be put off.
29/03/2009 at 15:44 Post Maker says:
They don’t do a very good job of showing it, but a large number of the civilians are infected and hostile to the player. Early on it is just total slaughter, but if you’re careful you can avoid hitting anyone but your enemies.
Which makes a bit of sense really, since given that the main character doesn’t really have any level of fine control over his powers he’d have a hard time not hitting people by accident.
29/03/2009 at 16:00 JKjoker says:
it’s good to see a game that doesn’t care about realism these days, i miss the old days where a machine gun shot would launch an enemy 20 meters in the air, and 3 shots would allow his carcass to reach escape velocity and maybe get to the moon in 5 minutes :D
29/03/2009 at 18:37 DrazharLn says:
“I’m not a huge fan of civilian slaughter. Still… it does look like a lot of fun, and enthusiasm can overcome some of my distaste.”
That could so easily be attributed to any of the warlords of history, or perhaps to Bomber Harris
30/03/2009 at 07:59 Catastrophe says:
I know this is blasphemy but… is anyone else considering getting it on their Xbox360?