We spy on Sega's Alpha Protocol

Espionage is big this year. Selling itself as a "modern day spy RPG", Alpha Protocol at first glance can be thought of as Mass Cell. Or Splinter Effect. But that probably doesn't do this justice. You play as Michael Thorton, a newbie CIA officer who gets caught up in a conspiracy, finding himself on the run from The Man.

The RPG elements of Mass Effect - the multiple choice approach to your attitude in interacting with others (dubbed "stances" here) - is present, as is a skill-based array which will influence your proficiency in ten different areas. Where you allocate your "Advancement Points" will determine what you're best at - sneaking around of blowing people's brains out. The system offers flexibility for people who like to sit on the fence a little as well, so it's not as if you absolutely must run and gun everything (nor skulk everywhere).

The presentation of the game - third person - is reminiscent of a tarted up Mass Effect. There wasn't many close up shots to determine the level of texture management (something you could both argue was a flaw of Mass Effect) but the animation is reminiscent.

When trying to sneak around, you won't find this as intricate as Splinter Cell. It's not meant to be. There's no habitual skulking from light - but you're expected to keep the kill count low and stay out of harm's way if you want to avoid heated combat.

Firefights are impressively handled. A businesslike UI is definitely a cut above the likes of Mass Effect, without being too arcadey. We'll reserve comment on the AI until we can get an extended session with the game.

In the demo, we're exposed to two different factions. It's your call how or who you approach. We're shown a interaction with a female NPC, whose name (I think) is "Z". She looks a little bit like how P!nk would if she was a triathlete. We're told by the demonstrator that she likes to be treated rough (errrr) so chatting to her in a no messing around manner works best.

The demonstrator adds that there is the ability to seduce most (he may have said "all", but surely he didnt) women in the game. Not that this is Leisure Suit 007, I think the message is there isn't hard coded responses to your actions, but rather the ability to influence people's attitude towards you. It's not where the game starts and ends though - Obsidian are claiming Thornton's identity as a secret agent will be moulded by your actions, an intangible adjunct to your advancement point allocation.

Thornton's journey is managed through a hub system. He will find safe houses in the international cities he operates out of, and will stage his missions from them.

First impressions? A relevant and contemporary adaptation of the Mass Effect style adopted to what is for some of us, a more friendly setting. The make or break factor: the sophistication of the storyline and how much impact your actions and advencement points have on the game.