14 DAY TRIAL // There's one point in Alpha Protocol where, for all the talk about choices and consequences that Obsidian has been linking with their latest release, most players will be trapped and incapable of resisting the temptation to play nice, make a character their friend and then use them as much as possible for the rest of the game.
Some might even go so far as to tailor-make a new character and replay the Alpha Protocol in order to go first to Taipei after Saudi Arabia to get more of said character (I am not saying I have done that or plan to).
The reason for all this admiring talk is Steven Heck. It's not immediately clear what his game is and, in an experience where double crossing is the norm, the initial reaction is to distrust him, shut him off and never talk to him again. That's exactly the wrong reaction. Steven, a man who is ready to actually separate a guy from his own fingers and then set him on fire just for calling him “Steve,” brings a joy to Alpha Protocol that walks the narrow path between being enthusiastic about uncovering a conspiracy and being down right psychotic.
Heck is a man who names all the special undercover operations that take place in Taiwan although he does not take part in them and a man who not only believes in complex conspiracy theories, which link a new world government with the price of strawberries but actually likes those who are even more conspiracy driven than him. His idea of a distraction is a minigun mounted on a metro train. A certain kind of gamer will giggle every time they see his face and listen to his dialog.
So, do yourself a favor and during the next playthrough with Alpha Protocol, go to Taipei, meet the man we've been talking about and then take his help any time it is offered. It will certainly lead to hilarity, head scratching and a lot more love for the game and developer Obsidian.