Alpha Protocol, originally revealed in 2008, is a third person espionage RPG. I’m going to tell you right now that the game is not memorable in the least bit. Essentially, bad guy X has weapon Y and it’s your job to stop X and retrieve Y. As you run around, you gain money and experience which can be used to level up Super Agent Michael Thorton. Although you already have my general take on the game, hit the link if you want to know why it just missed the mark.

Alpha Protocol isn’t a bad concept by any means. Essentially, it brings in a variety of gameplay elements into one game. Not only is this an RPG, every decision you make effects the story (think Mass Effect). While every element is enjoyable, it’s just not very good.

Yes, I’ve already moved on to the negative aspects of the game. The overlying problem with Alpha Protocol is that it just isn’t very good at anything. When I began the game, I figured it would be fun to try to be stealthy.  Ten minutes later I gave up. The game just doesn’t play as  stealth games should (think Splinter Cell). Furthermore, it doesn’t help that the camera angles suck. There’s nothing better than staring at a glitched wall when you’re being chased by guards.

In terms of being an RPG, Alpha Protocol once again does a mediocre job at best. Leveling your character is rewarding; however, the dialogue system is not. Instead of the Mass Effect approach of having a general idea of what you want to say, Alpha Protocol gives you only emotions to choose from. While this sounds good, I ended up choosing options that did not reflect those emotions.

Essentially, everything in Alpha Protocol is sub-par. While this doesn’t sound horrible, it is. The problem is that every time I play, I only see elements that other games have done much better.  While I’m all for trying new games, I refuse to play through a game that feels like a so-so mix of everything I’ve played for the past two years.

[A copy of the game was provided by the publisher for review purposes.]

Alpha Protocol is out now for Xbox 360, PS3, and PC for $60.00.