So… Manhattan again?

While we’re on the topic of exploration, it’s worth pointing out that games set in Manhattan – particularly sandbox games – are anything but novel at this point. We’ve played in versions of New York’s central borough dozens of times, as superheroes, cops and criminals, and by now it’s old hat. Prototype’s version, however, has three things going for it: it’s filled with crowds of civilians who scream, scatter and panic when you start unleashing ultraviolence. The scenery usually goes by so fast that any familiarity you might have with it doesn’t matter. And it’s the most detailed rendition of Manhattan in a superhero sandbox game to date.

If you need further proof, we’ve grabbed hold of three other Manhattan-set superhero games of varying quality – The Incredible Hulk, Spider-Man 3 and Spider-Man: Web of Shadows – and compared them on two arbitrary criteria to see how Prototype stacks up.

The skyline

Prototype

Above: Alex’s view into the distance is hazy during the day, but becomes a little clearer at night when the lights snap on 

The Incredible Hulk

Above: The Hulk’s version of Manhattan is beset by a horrible fog that turns all buildings into vague gray lumps. That, or he has horrible eyesight and it’s extremely realistic 

Spider-Man 3

Above: Tobey Maguire’s skline stretches into the distance a little more uniformly, but seeing its ugly buildings in sharp relief does them no favors 

Spider-Man: Web of Shadows

Above: The Manhattan of Spidey’s make-up outing doesn’t look all that great up close, but damn does it ever look sharp at a distance

Times Square

Prototype

Above: Prototype’s Times Square keeps the lights on even in the face of disaster, sending a clear message to the world that New York will not let the giant tentacle monsters win 

The Incredible Hulk

Above: Hulk’s version of Times Square is nothing special, but at least you can hurl stuff at all those paid ads and knock them off their buildings 

Spider-Man 3

Above: There’s nothing wrong with Tobey’s Times Square, but the rest of the game is terrible so we’re going to declare this awful 

Spider-Man: Web of Shadows

Above: Web’s Times Square is a hell of a lot prettier than the last two versions, but that’s not really saying much. Also, try not to stare too hard at Spidey’s ass