Welcome to the debut of our newest feature: Head 2 Head. In this feature we will compare two gamesthat seem similar to see which one comes out on top. Our debut installment features two of the biggest games of the Summer: Infamous and Prototype. Let the sandbox game smackdown begin!

Infamous is the new game from Sucker Punch, the award winning studio that brought you the Sly Cooper series, and published by Sony Computer Entertainment America. In it, you play as Cole, a delivery boy caught in the middle of an explosion that destroys a good portion of the city. When he wakes up in the center of the crater, he finds he has been granted electric-based powers. Over the course of the game, Cole will have to make the coice as to how to use his powers. He can save the city, or destroy it, all the while chasing the truth of what happened and who was responsible.

Prototype is from High Voltage, and published by Activision. In it, you play Alex Mercer, a scientist who is picked to take part in an experiment, which ultimately results in him being pronounced dead. However, he wakes up in the morgue as his autopsy is about to begin. He has been infected by a mysterious virus which has spread thorughout the city. He finds that his body is able to change and morph, granting him diffferent abilities. He also finds he has the ability to consume people, assimilating their appearance and memories. using these techniques, Alex attempts to piece together his fractured memory, and discover the truth about the who, what and why of what he has become.

These games both feature open sandbox worlds and although they may seem similar, they are different in many ways. In this feature, we will compare and contrast the two games to see which one comes out on top.  They will be compared in the area of story, graphics, controls and “Gameplay Hook”, which is the element of gameplay that is unique to this game. Let’s get started.

STORY

In Infamous, the game begins with you waking up as Cole and trying to meet up with your friend, Zeke. Together, you regroup at your rooftop pad and attempt to solve the mystery of what happened to you. YOu realize quickly that your powers are a gift and you must decide how to use them. You quickly make the acquintance of a mysterious woman named Moya and the search for the truth begins. Before it’s all over, you will face betrayal, loss and one hell of a plot twist when the truth is revealed.

In Prototype, your memory is fractured, but not destroyed. You wake up in the morgue just before your autopsy. You find your sister and your search for the truth begins. The conspiracy unfolds as Alex tracks the Blacklight Virus. Alex’s story and the Blackwatch Virus conspiracy collide in the endgame, with Alex finally learning the truth.

Bottom Line: Infamous and Prototype have similar stories to a point, but whereas Infamous throws in an extremely unusual plot twist, Prototype’s narrative is pieced together very sensibly and, in the end, makes more sense. EDGE: Prototype

GRAPHICS

Both games feature stunning graphics, with the highlights being both Cole and Alex’s powers. In addition, both cities look incredible, with Prototype featuring a very accurate recreation of New York City. Both games get even marks in this category. EDGE: Even

CONTROLS

Controls are tight and resposive, with both games having similar control schemes. However, Infamous requires you to use the right analog stick to aim all of your attacks, which can be difficult and frustrating when you are trying to shoot at someone who is shooting at you. Prototype, by comparison, features a lock-on system that is well implemented and a simple “push the button and use your power” control scheme. The power wheel is easy to navigate and utilize.  EDGE: Prototype

GAMEPLAY HOOK

This is the element of gameplay that is unique to each game. In Infamous, this is the “Kharmic Choice” system. Periodically, you are presented with events in the game that have two possible outcomes, one is heroic and will increase your good kharma, the other is villanous and will increase your bad kharma. This is interesting because it essentially creates two separate games. And, you must play the game twice to experience both scenarios, because when you complete a “good” side mission, the corresponding “evil” mission is locked off, and vice versa. The city and it’s citizens’ attitude towards you will change depending on the choices you make. In Protptype, the hook is the “Consume” ability, which allows you to absorb several characters throughout the game. This ability also allows you to disguise yourself as the person you absorbed, which is handy when the military are looking for you or when you need to get into a secure military base. However, there is a second aspect to this ability. You also absorb memories when you use this ability, and absorbing any of the 100+ people who ar epart of the “Web of Intrigue” gives you memories realted to your missing past. The edge in this category goes to Infamous, due to the replay value that the kharma system provides. EDGE: Infamous

BOTTOM LINE: Both games are fantastic in their own right, and incredibly similar to boot. However, this segment is about which one you should pick if you can only buy one. Of course, this is only a decision you have to make if you are a PS3 owner, as Prototype is multi-platform. Howeverm assuming you have to choose between the two my recommendation is that you purchase PROTOTYPE.