Ignore my current play-time on Steam. I've already finished the game twice before getting it through Steam, plus Steam sometimes doesn't track my time for some reason. Also, be prepared for a kinda lengthy review (at least considered lengthy for your average Steam review) and spoiler-free.

This game is a hidden gem. Despite it's many flaws (simplistic AI, kind of linear levels and minor gameplay bugs that don't happen as often as other people claim), the parts that make this game shine are so well done that it surpasses many other acclaimed Action RPGs out there. The story and the characters REALLY react to what you've done and said to them. I won't spoil any of them, but these character interactions work so well with the many plot twists that happen in the story thanks to those relationships you build, either positive or negative.

The second act (which composes the vast majority of the game) is divided in other sub-arcs which are at the same time divided in many missions [WE NEED TO GO DEEPER]. The order in which you play that second act is entirely up to you and the order in which you pick the missions can affect in a way the rest of the missions in the same sub-arc and even in the other ones, so re-playability value is high as there are many combinations in the order you can play the missions.

Choices. Many games give you a binary system of choices of good and bad. Alpha Protocol not only offers you more than two choices in many instances, but more can open up depending on the amount of Intel you've gathered. And even the actions in-mission can carry consequences, so not all the choices are done only during dialogues. Man, every time I google about Alpha Protocol or watch some youtube videos of it, I find a new thing about its story. I really have no idea of how many ending world states there are anymore.

As for gameplay, this is one of the things people tend to complain the most and often they are as right as they are wrong. Movement can feel a little "floaty" for some, but that can be adjusted with some tweaks to the .ini files (still the fact that it has to be a manual fix is kind of an issue, but nothing extraordinary and most importantly, it can be fixed). Using the weapons is considered "hard" or "unsatisfactory" for many, but I personally think they match with an RPG game (which, in case you didn't read the subtitle of the game, Alpha Protocol is). You have to steady your aim before taking a shot, and that can be improved spending ability points in you character in the relevant areas, and still, even after you maxed out a weapon's stats, using it is not a walk in the park, but it definitely is easier to use. So people complaining about weapons are missing the point of the system that reigns their use and just want a mindless bang-bang experience. AI-wise, as I mentioned earlier, is kind of simplistic (they follow a fixed path until they see you or something catches their eye), but the way in which the AI enemies are distributed through the levels compensates for that simplification. Playing with a stealth build and succeeding at not raising alarms or not even getting into a firefight sure is the build that brings the most satisfaction. Gear customization is not as thorough as other RPGs, but it is extensive enough to have a variety of options to choose from. The same can be said about the main character's customization.

In the audio department, music is good enough, great even (that main theme sure will make you pump adrenaline, plus a certain boss fight will have you tapping the floor with your feet at the same rhythm as the music). As for audio effects, the same can be said. Not bad, not excellent, but descent enough. Voice acting is great, never being over the top despite having some characters that are.

Graphically, the same can be said as with the audio. Not bad at all, but if you're a "graphics w***e", this is definitely not for you.

In conclusion, this Role-playing game succeeds at... well... letting you play a role in the story, so viscerally that a second playthrough is guaranteed to give you almost as many surprises as your first one. Despite the gameplay, audio and graphics not being at the same level as the story -and the depth at which you can manipulate it-, they're not lackluster at all and in fact get heavily compensated by a truly player-guided story.

It's such a shame that a second installment of this game is not very likely (though Obsidian has said before they would like to, but SEGA owns the rights, so is up to SEGA to say yes, and that's very unlikely). At least a spiritual successor would be great.

Personal score: 8/10

Ignore my current play-time on Steam. I've already finished the game twice before getting it through Steam, plus Steam sometimes doesn't track my time for some reason. Also, be prepared for a kinda lengthy review (at least considered lengthy for your average Steam review) and spoiler-free. This game is a hidden gem. Despite it's many flaws (simplistic AI, kind of linear levels and minor gameplay bugs that don't happen as often as other people claim), the parts that make this game shine are so well done that it surpasses many other acclaimed Action RPGs out there. The story and the characters REALLY react to what you've done and said to them. I won't spoil any of them, but these character interactions work so well with the many plot twists that happen in the story thanks to those relationships you build, either positive or negative. The second act (which composes the vast majority of the game) is divided in other sub-arcs which are at the same time divided in many missions [WE NEED TO GO DEEPER]. The order in which you play that second act is entirely up to you and the order in which you pick the missions can affect in a way the rest of the missions in the same sub-arc and even in the other ones, so re-playability value is high as there are many combinations in the order you can play the missions. Choices. Many games give you a binary system of choices of good and bad. Alpha Protocol not only offers you more than two choices in many instances, but more can open up depending on the amount of Intel you've gathered. And even the actions in-mission can carry consequences, so not all the choices are done only during dialogues. Man, every time I google about Alpha Protocol or watch some youtube videos of it, I find a new thing about its story. I really have no idea of how many ending world states there are anymore. As for gameplay, this is one of the things people tend to complain the most and often they are as right as they are wrong. Movement can feel a little "floaty" for some, but that can be adjusted with some tweaks to the .ini files (still the fact that it has to be a manual fix is kind of an issue, but nothing extraordinary and most importantly, it can be fixed). Using the weapons is considered "hard" or "unsatisfactory" for many, but I personally think they match with an RPG game (which, in case you didn't read the subtitle of the game, Alpha Protocol is). You have to steady your aim before taking a shot, and that can be improved spending ability points in you character in the relevant areas, and still, even after you maxed out a weapon's stats, using it is not a walk in the park, but it definitely is easier to use. So people complaining about weapons are missing the point of the system that reigns their use and just want a mindless bang-bang experience. AI-wise, as I mentioned earlier, is kind of simplistic (they follow a fixed path until they see you or something catches their eye), but the way in which the AI enemies are distributed through the levels compensates for that simplification. Playing with a stealth build and succeeding at not raising alarms or not even getting into a firefight sure is the build that brings the most satisfaction. Gear customization is not as thorough as other RPGs, but it is extensive enough to have a variety of options to choose from. The same can be said about the main character's customization. In the audio department, music is good enough, great even (that main theme sure will make you pump adrenaline, plus a certain boss fight will have you tapping the floor with your feet at the same rhythm as the music). As for audio effects, the same can be said. Not bad, not excellent, but descent enough. Voice acting is great, never being over the top despite having some characters that are. Graphically, the same can be said as with the audio. Not bad at all, but if you're a "graphics w***e", this is definitely not for you. In conclusion, this Role-playing game succeeds at... well... letting you play a role in the story, so viscerally that a second playthrough is guaranteed to give you almost as many surprises as your first one. Despite the gameplay, audio and graphics not being at the same level as the story -and the depth at which you can manipulate it-, they're not lackluster at all and in fact get heavily compensated by a truly player-guided story. It's such a shame that a second installment of this game is not very likely (though Obsidian has said before they would like to, but SEGA owns the rights, so is up to SEGA to say yes, and that's very unlikely). At least a spiritual successor would be great. Personal score: 8/10