Prototype (stylized as [PROTOTYPE]) is an developed by and published by . The game was released in North America on June 9, 2009 ( and ), in southwestern parts of North America as well as Oceania on June 10, and in Europe on June 12. Versions for and were released on July 14, 2015 alongside the sequel as Prototype Biohazard Bundle. Separate versions of the games became available in August 2015.
Set in , the game follows a powerful amnesiac named Alex Mercer who must stop an outbreak of Blacklight, a plague that mutates individuals into hideous violent monsters. During his quest, Alex tries to uncover his past while also coming into conflict with both the US military and a black operations force called Blackwatch. Parallel to the game's storyline is the ability to play the game as a -style video game giving the player freedom to roam Manhattan.
The game was a critical and commercial success, with critics praising the game for its originality and engaging gameplay. Many reviewers compared and contrasted it with , another open world action-adventure game released one month prior to Prototype. A sequel, , was released in April 2012.
- Alex's primary superpower is his ability to shapeshift, changing his body into anyone. Going hand-in-hand with this power is his ability to "consume" others, absorbing them entirely.
- This process allows Alex to quickly regain health by absorbing the biomass of his enemies.
- This also allows him to take on the forms of the human enemies he absorbs, thereby allowing the player to move about the enemy as one of them
- The disguise will only last as long as Alex remains inconspicuous. Alex has incredible physical strength, and will kill most humans in a single punch.
