Prototype 2

(Activision for Xbox 360)
By Mike Delano

There’s not much to like about Prototype 2‘s story. Military man James Heller’s expletive-and-rage-filled quest to uncover those responsible for the death of his family and the bio plague terrorizing NYZ (New York Zero) doesn’t offer much in the way of compelling characters or narrative. That disappointment quickly washes away, though, the first time you use your superpowers to run straight up the side of a skyscraper, glide from rooftop to rooftop, and dropkick a helicopter out of the sky. It’s those kind of crazy moments that define this sequel. Like its predecessor, it’s concerned with over-the-top, large-scale destruction above all. A fantastic new tendrils attack even lets you to create an instant monument of death, allowing you to string together bodies and debris between buildings using rubbery, fleshy tethers. Then you can feel free to slowly twist the camera around with fetishistic glee and admire your quivering testament of hate. The pacing of the game is kept varied by plenty of side missions that exist outside of the critical path to the game’s conclusion, offering opportunities to expand your arsenal and unlock extras like character skins and developer commentaries. It’s easy to get hooked on the freedom offered by Prototype 2‘s hyper-violent sandbox, just brush off the story and ready your appetite for destruction.
(www.activision.com)