Unplayable on the Steam Deck. Please fix game to make it playable. Tried different protons and never worked. Thank you.

GAME IS BUGGED!! CHECK THE DISCUSSIONS TO FIX IT!!

solid fun from the early 2010s! a amazing power fantasy game as well as a decent little bit of lore between the two games. First is better for story but second is leagues better in game play!

PROTOTYPE 2 is a brutal, high-octane open-world action game that embraces chaos, mutation, and power fantasy to a degree rarely seen in the genre. Developed by Radical Entertainment and released as a sequel to the original Prototype, the game shifts focus from Alex Mercer to a new protagonist, James Heller—a military man turned bio-weapon—whose story is driven by revenge, rage, and a thirst for answers in the wake of personal tragedy. The game wastes no time establishing its tone: it’s violent, fast, and unapologetically bombastic, offering players a sandbox of superhuman destruction set in a quarantined New York ravaged by a viral outbreak.

From the beginning, PROTOTYPE 2 distinguishes itself through its protagonist. James Heller is a more grounded and sympathetic character than Mercer, fueled by the loss of his family to the Blacklight virus. His motivations are simple but emotionally resonant, and while the game doesn’t delve deeply into nuanced storytelling, it offers enough weight to justify his increasingly extreme actions. The narrative unfolds through cinematic cutscenes, military conspiracies, and Heller’s interactions with various factions within the broken city. The script leans heavily into gritty, foul-mouthed intensity, which suits the game’s tone even if it sometimes borders on over-the-top melodrama.

Gameplay is where PROTOTYPE 2 truly excels. The core mechanic—shapeshifting bio-powers—returns from the first game but is refined and more fluid. Heller can leap over buildings, sprint up vertical surfaces, glide across the skyline, and decimate entire squads of enemies with grotesque tendrils, claws, and hammers formed from his own body. Combat is a blend of melee brutality and strategic power management, as different enemy types require different approaches. One moment you’re slicing tanks in half with your blade arm, the next you’re stealthily absorbing a soldier to infiltrate a heavily guarded compound. The sense of empowerment is nearly unmatched in open-world gaming.

Traversal is exhilarating. The game turns urban exploration into a superhuman playground, with Heller’s parkour and gliding abilities making movement both fun and efficient. This freedom of movement enhances the game’s pacing, allowing you to jump from story missions to side content without interruption. While some of the side activities can become repetitive, such as locating Black Boxes or hunting specific infected targets, they’re generally fast and rewarding enough to not overstay their welcome. The game also introduces upgrades and mutations that allow players to tailor Heller’s powers to their preferred playstyle, adding depth and personalization to the carnage.

New York Zero, the game's open world, is divided into three zones—each representing a stage of infection and control: the Red Zone (complete chaos and destruction), the Green Zone (military-controlled), and the Yellow Zone (a crumbling, civilian-infested middle ground). Each area has its own atmosphere and mission types, though the city as a whole doesn’t offer the variety or vibrancy of more traditional sandbox games like GTA V or Watch Dogs. Still, it’s effective in conveying the scale and severity of the viral outbreak, and the level design supports the player’s need for fast travel and dynamic combat encounters.

Combat is visceral and chaotic, with a satisfying feedback loop. Heller’s powers are visually distinct and incredibly destructive, which makes experimentation enjoyable. Whether you’re tearing through a horde of infected with the Whipfist or turning a tank’s cannon against its allies with a well-timed hijack, the game rarely fails to deliver adrenaline-pumping action. Enemy variety improves as you progress, introducing tougher infected creatures and heavily armed military units that require tactical thinking and proper power usage. Boss fights can be a mixed bag—some are intense and cinematic, others feel like extended button-mashing exercises—but they generally provide memorable moments in the story.

Technically, PROTOTYPE 2 holds up well for a game of its generation. The graphics, while not cutting-edge by modern standards, are solid, with smooth animations, impactful particle effects, and good environmental detail—particularly in the more devastated Red Zone. The soundtrack is appropriately aggressive, filled with pounding drums and atmospheric tension that underscore the violence and drama unfolding in the city. Sound design is equally strong, with roars, explosions, and power effects that lend weight to every encounter. Voice acting is rough around the edges but fits the gritty aesthetic, especially Heller’s growling, no-nonsense delivery.

Despite all its strengths, PROTOTYPE 2 has its share of weaknesses. Mission design occasionally feels formulaic, with many objectives boiling down to “go here, kill that, escape.” The game’s reliance on stealth mechanics can also be hit or miss—absorption missions are clever in concept but sometimes fall victim to simplistic AI or trial-and-error frustration. Additionally, the open world, while vast, isn’t as interactive or reactive as it could be, which limits immersion outside of combat. Civilian AI is largely decorative, and the world doesn’t evolve dynamically based on your actions, which might disappoint players looking for a more living, breathing environment.

Nevertheless, PROTOTYPE 2 is undeniably fun. It delivers on its promise of outrageous, superpowered mayhem, and does so with more polish and finesse than its predecessor. It refines nearly every system from the first game, making for a smoother and more satisfying experience overall. The character progression system, combat options, and traversal mechanics combine to create a thrilling sense of power and freedom, wrapped in a gritty, post-apocalyptic aesthetic that complements its themes of loss and vengeance.

In conclusion, PROTOTYPE 2 is a standout power fantasy that delivers visceral action, slick traversal, and a compelling central character, even if it doesn’t always break new ground narratively or structurally. For players who value fluid combat and open-world destruction above all else, it remains one of the more unique and enjoyable experiences in the genre. It’s not a perfect game, but its commitment to excess, speed, and chaos makes it unforgettable in a way that few open-world titles dare to be. Whether you’re a returning fan or a newcomer to the franchise, PROTOTYPE 2 is well worth the dive into viral madness.

Rating: 7/10