Obsidian’s upcoming RPG combines the intelligent dialogue tree and character development of Mass Effect or Knights of the Old Republic (something they made earlier) with dashings of realistic spying along the lines of Splinter Cell:Conviction. Alpha Protocol sees you crafting your own special agent offering the Bond-esque suave womanising, the resourceful deadliness of Jason Bourne or the neatly-timed action-packed heroics of Jack Bauer and all the shades of grey between that illustrious trio.
 

 
Flying its RPG flag high, Alpha Protocol claims that each in game action will accrue a value, steadily shaping a unique character, in an onslaught of numbers and development. Further straying from the action games mainstay of wanton destruction is the promise of some levels being composed entirely of dialogue. While this may send some gamers desperately retreating, trench-running from a low concrete wall to a barricade in fear, these levels could prove a welcome and unique addition to a fairly stagnant action genre. If Obsidian can deliver the deftness and subtlety to fully explore your own visions of the perfect superspy while keeping solid enough shooting and stealthing mechanics we could be witnessing the sleeper hit of the year. All that’s left to see is whether Alpha Protocol leaps out of the shadows to slit your throat, flashes leg and fishnets and lures you into bed with Long Island Iced Teas or scuffs its lines and ends up blowing its own kneecap off. After long interrogations these answers may be revealed or when the game is released on May 28th.