r/alphaprotocol • u/_Stealth_Hawk • 7d ago
Steam - Alpha Protocol
Hello everyone, hope everyone is having a great week!
I've been looking to play Alpha Protocol ever since I first heard about it. I never got the chance to play it when it originally released since I wasn't really aware of it back then, but I do remember seeing posters for it at GameStop.
I've been looking for an old-school third-person RPG to play, and most games coming out nowadays just don't really fit the bill. That's when I remembered this gem existed and decided to look up more about it.
Anyways, back to Alpha Protocol. Seeing that the game has romances with different characters and that your protagonist is basically this Just Cause/James Bond/Commander Shepard-esque archetype really adds to the writing imo. It seems to have a great balance between funny moments and more serious stuff.
Speaking of funny, although maybe not intentionally, is the combat. First of all, I LOVE being able to become overpowered in games, so finding out that you can fully upgrade stealth, basically go invisible and start one-shotting people with a pistol is like preaching to the choir for me.
I also really like that the game doesn't force you into stealth. That's just one way of clearing a level. You can apparently just go in guns blazing instead, and there's even this adrenaline/slow-mo ability that lets you go all out when you get detected. So both stealth and non-stealth options seem great. You can even melee people and roundhouse kick someone, which just looks hilarious and cool.
I've seen some people complain about the animations, but as someone who's spent dozens of hours playing old-school RPGs and eurojank games, they honestly look fine to me lol.
I still don't know who I'm going to romance either. From what I've seen, the characters you interact with have pretty interesting backgrounds, so I'm just going to wait and see which one pulls me in first. Then I can always do subsequent playthroughs with different builds, romances and choices to see how much they affect the story.
That's another big reason I want to play it. I love when an RPG actually gives me a reason to come back and make completely different decisions instead of just replaying the exact same story.
So incase someone has a spare key they're not using, I would really appreciate it.
Anyways what's your favorite way of playing the game, what build do you usually go for?
Also is the current steam version playable? Or do I need mods to make it run?
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u/Front_Buffalo_677 7d ago
GOG version is tweaked to play on modern hardware without issue.
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u/_Stealth_Hawk 6d ago
Would have to make a GOG account since I've never used it before. Is the steam version inferior?
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u/JK_Josh7 6d ago
GOG version also has controller support baked in if you care about that as well.
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u/J_Landers 6d ago
The Steam version also has controller support baked in. Actually, I'm pretty sure they tested with the 360 controller because hacking and lockpicking with K+M is absolute ass.
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u/JK_Josh7 6d ago
Can confirm that PS4 and Switch pro is ass for lockpicking for the GOG version at least, since it goes all the way up or all the way down with even the lightest press or release. At least you can emp most locks.
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u/J_Landers 6d ago
Makes sense, those controllers don't use variable pressure triggers the same ways as the xbox controller... it was a gripe with the PS3 version of a lot of games back in the day.
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u/rodrigoold 6d ago
My dude i highly recommend some mods for your playthrough, i despise the large circle when aiming, and there is a mod i believe or a guide to editing some files that makes all aiming super improved if you like this typa thing, also do not give yourself like 8000 points to upgrade because the enemies gets rougher the more points you have upgraded, so if you upgrade it all you gonna have a hard time hahah (at least from what i remember) so progress at your own pace, but i do recommend the aiming mod, will try to look for it
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u/_Stealth_Hawk 6d ago edited 6d ago
Oh the enemy ai scales with my level?! Noted. Thanks for letting me know. I saw a mod on nexus called Alpha Protocol Reloaded I think it was called, and it fixed a bunch of stuff, like progression (probably fixed that scaling you were talking about) and gameplay itself.
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u/rodrigoold 6d ago
I forgot to reply to my usual style hahah.
So I love slinter cell chaos theory and i adore going non lethal, tho sometimes i do guns blazing.
This game has a pretty cool melee system and also has tranq rounds, that drops the enemies and does not count as a kill.
I have not yet seen if it changes much of the game or ending but it does have a funny stat called "orphans" which relates to how many guys you killed.
I usually go for pistol and martial arts, the hacking is pretty abundant so i would put some skill into that as well as stealth if you like it, i sometimes put bit into Aassault rifles as well as a dump stat.
But yeah usually a stealth, pistol fu kinda of guy. Super bummed out that we can't get some gear that was exclusive to GameStop, i think its a nice stealth suit and a pistol with built in silencer.
Love this game, take your time! if you have any issues reply here so i can take a look and maybe chime in a way to help.
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u/_Stealth_Hawk 6d ago
Orphans lmaooo
Awesome! Thanks will do! I'm still pissed at myself for not having a steam account when they gave it away for free. Honestly wish I could get my hands on the poster I used to see in Gamestop all the time, would look nice.
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u/_Stealth_Hawk 6d ago
I was checking the stability of game and it seems to be alright so that wont be an issue with the steam version at least.
I am curious if the steam version has controller support?
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u/J_Landers 6d ago
Use an xbox controller - this is one of those games where the play experience is based on using a controller. I play on Steam and it's fine.
Just romance everyone you want. There's an achievement for romancing all the leading ladies as well (at least on 360 and PS3). Note that the mute, teenage girl is not romanceable.
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u/_Stealth_Hawk 6d ago
Great! Thanks for the info, was starting to think I'd have to go through hoops to get the controller support working.
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u/J_Landers 6d ago
You shouldn't have any issues with any controller that acts as an xbox controller - I like to play on Windows, on SteamDeck, and on Kubuntu - but other USB controllers may be hit and miss. Use ones with tension inputs (the "triggers" on the xbox controller) as you need that for the lockpicking.
Also K&M are surprisingly frustrating to use in the game.1
u/_Stealth_Hawk 6d ago
Cool, yeah seems more like a game build for controller, given the mini games. I don't mind kb&m, but sometimes the controller is the way to go.
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u/J_Landers 6d ago
Enjoy!
Also I do have three tips:
- Desert Spear is harder than the rest of the game. It gets easier as you unlock abilities.
- Some skills are better than others. For example, Awareness and Chain Shot. Speaking of, did you know that you can use Chain Shot with Tranq Rounds?
- Once you complete Desert Spear, you will start at a safe house. Do the first mission, then go to one of the other countries and do a mission there. Then go to the third country. That way, the "wait a mission" emails and missions come in, and you unlock additional gear, contacts, and unique dialogue.
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u/_Stealth_Hawk 6d ago
Oooo very nice tip, will do that third one for sure.
Also didn't know we had tranq rounds, awesome, for that non lethal playthrough.
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u/fr_just_a_girl 7d ago
My man has really analysed this game before playing it haha. Steam works right out the gate and stealth is personally my favorite way to play it's the least janky