At first there are not many buttons or button combinations to have to worry about with this game. X does most of your attacks while the Y button also adds into combos. Pressing these keys in combinations will vary your attacks and allow for combinations to be used. As the game progresses you will learn more combinations and also have the ability to add to these via and UPGRADE screen.

When the game starts, you are given a brief walk through of the control basics. Use the R trigger to sprint, A to jump, etc, etc. But the game really takes a life of its own when it comes to the "Parkour-style fluidity" controls. The city is free roaming and there are hundreds of innocent civilians, the Blackwatch Military Special forces, regular military and the Infected. As you run through the city, Alex will run over cars, up the sides of sky scrapers and glide through the air after jumping off a building. I had the feeling of being like Superman almost, except eventually you come down to earth.

The movements in the game are based on the art of "Parkour", a French term for moving from point to point as quickly as possible using the abilities of the human body. This allows for some interesting and cool visual effects and experiences. Nothing in New York is an obstacle for Alex. This style of controls allows Alex to move quickly and effectively through the massive setting of New York City. In some instances you can fly or actually glide across the top of the city allowing for quick movements. This allows you to avoid the "fuzz" or the Infected and also allows for some very cool visual settings as you glide from roof top to roof top. Why run when you can glide so much faster.

One of the most important aspects of this game is the "consume" ability that Alex learns early on in the game. This allows Alex to view the memories of key witnesses and players in the massive conspiracy. When you "consume" the correct character, you are treated to a visual flashback . These memories add together and are intertwined together to help develop the complex story that is Prototype. This helps complete the "Web of Intrigue" which provides more information on those involved in the conspiracy. Consuming these characters also allow you to shape shift into these characters. While you can shape shift to about any person you consume, you can only shape shift to your most recently consumed character. But do not worry, you can always consume anyone you run across. This is important for gaining health and also in accessing certain areas in the game. Consume a military guard to access the base, and then consume the helicopter pilot so you can fly the helicopter.