Obsidian Entertainment’s Alpha Protocol is the first original IP developed by the studio following its founding in 2003. Released in 2010 for PC and 7th-generation consoles, Alpha Protocol borrows heavily from the template established by BioWare’s Mass Effect games but switches its setting to a contemporary spy-thriller in the same vein as the James Bond or Jason Bourne franchises. Obsidian would begin work on Alpha Protocol in 2006 following its work on Neverwinter Nights 2, with publishing giant Sega reaching out to the studio about crafting a new original IP. The title famously underwent some difficulties during its development thanks to the team’s inexperience with Unreal Engine 3, resulting in some technical hiccups at launch.
Regardless of some bugs and performance issues, Alpha Protocol would prove to have an overwhelmingly positive response from players. Unfortunately, that same positive reception did not carry over to critics, who took issue with Alpha Protocol‘s movement and combat despite praising the game’s RPG elements and choice-driven quest design. Like several other titles in Obsidian Entertainment’s catalog, Alpha Protocol would eventually become a cult classic, resulting in a push from fans to restore the game to digital storefronts following its removal (due to licensing issues). Those efforts would prove to be successful, with Alpha Protocol becoming available digitally on PC for the first time in years in 2024.
Alpha Protocol Premise
©Alpha Protocol gameplay screenshot – Original
The story of Alpha Protocol puts players into the shoes of main character Michael Thorton, a skilled agent and new recruit of the US clandestine operations agency Alpha Protocol. Due to Alpha Protocol’s highly classified and covert nature, the agency is both completely unknown to many US government officials and operates outside the jurisdiction or oversight of the US government. When Thorton’s first mission goes awry, this leaves him cut off from all his contacts and handlers within the agency, resulting in him needing to claw his way back up from nothing to get help from his fellow operatives while also uncovering the truth behind his setup and sabotage.
Gameplay-wise, Alpha Protocol is a third-person shooter action RPG similar to BioWare’s Mass Effect. Rather than explore an open-world map, Alpha Protocol is mission-based, with players beginning each of the game’s main missions at a central hub or safe house. Within these areas, players can customize their appearance, choose their weapon loadouts, and purchase upgrades (including a very in-depth weapon customization system). While on missions, Alpha Protocol mixes stealth and shooting, with players having the freedom to choose how they approach each objective. The game famously contains a “real-time” dialogue system in which players must make quick choices between dialogue options that impact their reputation and the outcome of Alpha Protocol‘s story.
Like most RPGs, Alpha Protocol features experience-based progression that improves character stats and abilities, including the choice between several Perks. These Perks can improve both combat and non-combat gameplay elements, including Thorton’s ability to have new and unique dialogue choices that open up branching pathways to completing objectives.
Alpha Protocol Main Characters
©Alpha Protocol gameplay screenshot – Original
As a narrative-driven RPG with plenty of emphasis on player choice, Alpha Protocol is often compared to BioWare’s Mass Effect series. Other than a drastically different setting (which trades the space opera sci-fi of Mass Effect for its own take on a James Bond-style spy thriller), Alpha Protocol does share many characteristics with BioWare’s flagship RPG series, including a strong cast of characters that players must get to know and build relationships with throughout the course of the game. As main character Michael Thorton, players in Alpha Protocol must investigate global criminals at the behest of the titular covert organization, choosing whether to be merciful or merciless in their pursuit of justice. Main characters in Alpha Protocol include:
- Michael Thorton: The protagonist and player character of Alpha Protocol. Michael Thorton is a rookie agent for Alpha Protocol who gets cut off from his contacts and must operate as a rogue agent. Players get to customize his appearance, background, and specializations.
- Conrad Marburg: Conrad Marburg is the closest thing to Alpha Protocol‘s main antagonist, though the game does not draw any clear delineation between allies and enemies. He hopes to start a global conflict to help Halbech supplant Alpha Protocol as the world’s leading covert operative organization.
- SIE: SIE is a mysterious and aggressive former Stasi agent who will either assist or hinder Michael Thorton during his missions, including potentially serving as his handler in the game’s final mission.
- Albatross: A former CIA operative who defects to work in an underground criminal organization, Albatross is the leader of the G22 organization that either hinders or helps Michael Thorton in the final stages of Alpha Protocol.
Other Games From Obsidian Entertainment
Following the closure of Black Isle Studios in the early 2000s, several of that legendary RPG studio’s key employees would form a new studio in Obsidian Entertainment. Over the last 20+ years, Obsidian has carved out a niche for itself as a talented studio focusing on immersive and choice-driven RPGs. After getting its start working on sequels to beloved titles from other noteworthy RPG studios (namely, BioWare), Obsidian would develop Alpha Protocol as its first original title. Since then, the studio has gone on to craft its own RPG universe with Pillars of Eternity, which will see its highly anticipated third entry in 2025’s Avowed. Games from Obsidian Entertainment include:
- Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords (PC, Xbox, 2004)
- Neverwinter Nights 2 (PC, 2006)
- Alpha Protocol (PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, 2010)
- Fallout: New Vegas (PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, 2010)
- Dungeon Siege III (PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, 2011)
- South Park: The Stick of Truth (PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, 2014)
- Pillars of Eternity (PC, 2015)
- Skyforge (PC, 2015)
- Tyranny (PC, 2016)
- Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire (PC, 2018)
- The Outer Worlds (PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, 2019)
- Grounded (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, 2022)
- Pentiment (PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, 2022)
- Avowed (PC, Xbox Series X/S, 2025)
- The Outer Worlds 2 (PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, 2025)
Alpha Protocol Cheats & Secrets
There are several different unlockables and glitches to exploit in Alpha Protocol, regardless of which version players happen to experience. While there are no official “cheats” for the console versions of Alpha Protocol, the PC version does have cheats available through the use of a third-party cheat engine, as well as through manipulating some of the game’s files.
Alpha Protocol Cheats
Easy AP (PC Only)
This procedure involves editing the Alpha Protocol game files. Be sure to create a backup copy of the file before proceeding.
Using a text editor like Notepad, edit the “DefaultLevelChart.ini” file in the “Program FilesSEGAAlpha ProtocolAPGameConfig” directory. Look for the following line:
- LevelChart(MinXPNeeded=0, APGained=30, SkillCap=4, SpecialSkillCap=4)
Change it to:
- LevelChart(MinXPNeeded=0, APGained=500, SkillCap=10, SpecialSkillCap=15)
You will now have 500 AP points and can max out the skill cap below the special skill level.
Change Ammunition Attributes (PC Only)
This procedure involves editing the Alpha Protocol game files. Be sure to create a backup copy of the file before proceeding.
Using a text editor like Notepad, edit the “DefaultDamageTypesData.ini” file in the “Program FilesSEGAAlpha ProtocolAPGameConfig” directory. You can edit the different ammunition types’ damage, armor, and recoil. For example, changing the tranquilizer damage to 100 would result in the following data string:
- APGame.APDmgType_TraquilizerBaseDamage=-100ArmorPenetration=-100
With “100” as the max value, you can go into each ammunition type’s data and adjust the numbers however you like.
Easy Perk Unlocks (PC Only)
This procedure involves editing the Alpha Protocol game files. Be sure to create a backup copy of the file before proceeding.
Using a text editor like Notepad, edit the “DefaultGame.ini” file in the “Program FilesSEGAAlpha ProtocolAPGameConfig” directory. Here, you can edit the perk unlock requirements to get their bonuses easily. For example, find the following lines:
- APGame.APRPG_AbilityManager; Accessed with Perk enumerations.PerkAcquisitionRequiredCount[0]=25; Demolitions Expert: Kill this many enemies with Explosive Grenades.
Making the following change would adjust it so that you unlock the perk after killing 1 enemy with a grenade instead of 25:
- APGame.APRPG_AbilityManager; Accessed with Perk enumerations.PerkAcquisitionRequiredCount[0]=1; Demolitions Expert: Kill this many enemies with Explosive Grenades.
You can adjust any of these lines in the .ini file to make it easier to unlock perks.
Alpha Protocol Cheat Trainer Files for Cheat Engine (PC Only)
PC players can download and install a third-party cheat engine to use cheats with Alpha Protocol. One such cheat trainer file can be found here and contains the following cheat options:
Player Cheats
- Infinite Health
- Infinite Shield
- Infinite AP
- Freeze Alarm Timer
- Freeze Lockpicking Timer
- Freeze Computer Hacking Timer
Weapon Cheats
- Infinite Ammo
- No Reload
Inventory Cheats
- Infinite Gadgets
- Infinite Money
Alpha Protocol Unlockables
Veteran Class
Completing Alpha Protocol as the Recruit class unlocks the Veteran class. The veteran class starts with three skill points in every category and features new class-specific dialogue options.
Bonus Weapons
Completing the following in-game tasks will unlock the corresponding bonus weapons for use in Alpha Protocol:
| Weapon | How to Unlock |
|---|---|
| Brayko’s SMG | Kill Brayko |
| Brayko’s Stereo | Spare Brayko |
| Gold-plated Assault Rifle | Approach the Al Samad Lieutenant without tripping any alarms |
| Gold-plated SMG | Kill Brajka |
| Marburg’s Pistol | Fight and kill Marburg in the Museum |
| Omen’s Shotgun | Kill Omen Deng |
Romance Perks
Pursuing romances with the different women of Alpha Protocol unlocks corresponding perks. Use the chart below to help guide which character you might want to romance based on the perks it rewards:
| Romance Perk | How to Unlock |
|---|---|
| Ladies Man: +5 AP | Complete all 4 Romances |
| Rome-ance: +5 Endurance, +500 XP | Romance Madison |
| Office Romance: +5 Endurance, +500 XP | Romance Mina |
| Exclusive Interview: +5 Endurance, +500 XP | Romance Scarlet |
| No Time For Love: +20 Endurance, +20% Endurance Recharge | Pursue No Romances |
| Savage Love: -5% cooldown for Fury, Roomsweep, Iron Will, & Hard to Kill | Pick SIE as your handler |
| Thanks But No Thanks: -5% cooldown for Evasion and Iron Will | Refuse SIE’s advances |
Alpha Protocol Secrets
Infinite Ammo Glitch
There is an area in the “Intercept Nasri the Arms Dealer” mission in which it’s possible to pick up infinite ammo drops. After completing the “Defeat Nasri’s Guards” objective, remain in the room where the objective is completed. There are three sets of stairs, with a door behind two of them and another with a table across the top. In front of that table is a random ammunition pick-up. This ammo pick-up will respawn indefinitely roughly every 30 seconds. Players can use this glitch to fully stock all ammunition types.
Easy Ammo Glitch
At the end of the “Investigate Marburg’s Villa” mission, you can find two ammo pick-ups in the garden on the north and south sides. These pick-ups will respawn after you move back to the doors.
Easy Boss Kills
The pistol in Alpha Protocol is notoriously overpowered. Level the pistol up to the point where you can unlock the Advanced Chain Shot ability. When a Boss sticks their head out, do a five-shot chain to instantly defeat them.
Customize Appearance
You can customize your character’s appearance at any time by going to the bathroom.
Alpha Protocol Achievements/Trophies
Completing the following in-game tasks will unlock the corresponding achievement/trophy:
| Achievement/Trophy | Description |
|---|---|
| Platinum | Unlock all Trophies (PlayStation-exclusive) |
| Operation True Heirs | Complete Operation True Heirs |
| Basic Training | Complete the Training Mission |
| Alpha Protocol | Complete Operation Desert Spear |
| Operation Blood Feud | Complete Operation Blood Feud |
| Operation Deus Vult | Complete Operation Deus Vult |
| Full Circle | Complete Alpha Protocol |
| Rising Star | Join Halbech and stop Alpha Protocol |
| Crime Buster | Reconcile with Alpha Protocol and stop Halbech |
| No Compromise, No Mercy | Put an end to Halbech and Alpha Protocol |
| Hardcore | Complete Alpha Protocol on Hard |
| Evolution of an Action Hero | Complete Alpha Protocol on Recruit |
| Desert Spear | Assassinate Sheikh Shaheed |
| Stay of Execution | Allow Shaheed to live |
| Secret Service | Prevent Sung’s assassination |
| Keeping the Peace | Prevent the riot in Taipei |
| A Plot Uncovered | Discover Sung’s assassin |
| Never Trust A Sociopath | Alienate “secret agent” Steven Heck |
| Hard Choices | Stop the plot to destroy the Roman History Museum |
| Friends Before Strangers | Save Madison Saint-James |
| Respected Enemies | Gain Marburg’s respect and best him in combat |
| Youth Trumps Experience | Kill Marburg in a fatal duel |
| One Less Gangster | Kill Brayko |
| A Price On Mercy | Spare Brayko |
| Russian Alliance | Spare Surkov |
| Price For Lying | Kill Surkov |
| Ask Questions First, Shoot Later | Talk at gunpoint without ever pulling the trigger |
| Judge, Jury, and Executioner | Choose to kill in cold blood during interrogations |
| Thorton, Inc. | Turn all enemies into allies in a single game |
| Rome-ance | Romance Madison |
| Office Romance | Romance Mina |
| Exclusive Interview | Romance Scarlet |
| Savage Love | “Romance” SIE |
| Ladies’ Man | Romance all ladies in a single game |
| No Time For Love | Complete the game without any Romance |
| Hard to Read | Use each stance 25% of the time across 90 dialogue choices |
| Social Butterfly | Get 3 people to Like you simultaneously |
| Antisocial | Get 3 people to Hate you simultaneously |
| Ready For Anything | Acquire the majority of Intel in the game |
| Pistol Mastery | Score 100 headshots with an assault rifle |
| SMG Havoc | Achieve the maximum SMG hit multiplier 7 times |
| Shotgun Crowd Control | Score 100 Critical Hits with a shotgun |
| Assault Rifle Marksmanship | Score 100 head shots with an assault rifle |
| Black Belt | Defeat 50 enemies using CQC |
| Lurker | Evade or Takedown 75 enemies |
| One With The Shadows | Complete 3 missions with less than 5 kills and no alerts |
| Technophile | Complete 5 missions using 6 different Gadgets |
| Building a Deadlier Mousetrap | Have 100 placed devices detonate |
| Breaking and Entering | Pick 10 locks |
| Circuit Breaker | Bypass 20 electronic devices |
| Data Theft | Hack 10 computers |
Alpha Protocol Cheat FAQs
How many endings does Alpha Protocol have?
Like many other choice-driven RPGs, Alpha Protocol has different endings depending on the player’s actions during pivotal moments in the story. Most of the endings deal with the player’s choices in the final mission and are further impacted by their reputation among allies and enemies. Choosing whether to dismantle Alpha Protocol or ally with Halbech and maintain Alpha Protocol’s supremacy will change which ending players receive. Depending on the dialogue options players choose with Harry Leland at the outset of the game’s final mission, they will get either the “Rogue Agent” or “Halbech” endings.
Why is Alpha Protocol no longer available?
Following a lapse in licensing, Alpha Protocol was delisted from PC storefronts. While console players with physical discs could still play the game, the title was not available digitally for many years. Thankfully, that lapse in licensing has been corrected, with Alpha Protocol now available digitally on PC. The first storefront where the game became available again was on GOG.com, which includes Alpha Protocol as part of its GOG Preservation Project. Very recently (as of June 2024), Steam followed suit and relisted Alpha Protocol after it was made available on GOG.
What is the best weapon type in Alpha Protocol?
While the damage output would suggest that Assault Rifles are the best weapon type in Alpha Protocol, raw stats aren’t everything. Thanks to some incredibly useful and overpowered perks, the absolute best weapon type in Alpha Protocol is actually the Pistol. Once players level up their Pistol skills enough to unlock the Advanced Chain Shot ability, they can eliminate bosses with a single attack.
How long does it take to beat Alpha Protocol?
A single playthrough of Alpha Protocol will take most players roughly 10-15 hours. Should players choose to go back and complete everything (including unlocking all achievements/trophies), that time will roughly double. A completionist playthrough of Alpha Protocol will take most players 25-30 hours.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Alpha Protocol key art.