GameTimeline

Release & story order

Prototype games in order

This Prototype games in order page covers Radical’s open-world shapeshifter duo—Prototype (2009) and Prototype 2 (2012)—with US release dates and honest continuity notes. Release is simply ship history for both games. Story follows Alex Mercer into James Heller’s soft sequel era, including the community debate about how clean that handoff feels. Essentials covers the full duo, Prototype-first, or Prototype 2 only if you already know the first game’s ending. Power-fantasy neighbors: inFamous, Watch Dogs, and Mirror's Edge.

Updated September 2026

Pick your path:

Full duo Prototype 1 first P2 only Full release list Story order

Where to start

Pick Full duo for both games in order, Prototype 1 first if you only want Mercer’s campaign for now, or P2 only when you already know the first ending and just want Heller’s sequel. Essentials keeps the checklist short; hide paths you are not running.

  • New to the series → full-duo in Release order
  • One-game night → prototype-1-first, then decide on Heller later
  • Returning veterans → p2-only if Mercer’s story is already finished

Release order

When Activision shipped the duo in the US—Prototype (June 9, 2009) and Prototype 2 (April 24, 2012). There is no third mainline Western release to curate; this page stays a tight two-game ladder so every note stays useful instead of inventing spin-off filler.

  • First-timers → Prototype then Prototype 2 (full-duo Essentials)
  • Already finished P1 → Prototype 2 only path is fine
  • Skip cost → starting on P2 cold loses Mercer’s origin and ending setup
  • No third mainline—do not wait for a fake Prototype 3 checklist row
Story order tips

Soft fiction path: Alex Mercer’s Manhattan outbreak in Prototype, then James Heller’s soft sequel campaign in Prototype 2. Continuity is real but debated—Heller inherits the shapeshifter fantasy while Mercer’s role shifts in ways spoiler-heavy FAQ covers. Use Story when you care about that handoff; Release order is identical ship order for both titles.

  • Soft arc: Mercer (Prototype) → Heller (Prototype 2)
  • Continuity debate is real—FAQ covers how direct the sequel feels
  • Story spoilers intensify in Prototype 2 panels—reveal when ready
  • On Story order, later entries may be hidden—use Show all spoilers if replaying

Timeline

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When each game was released. Click a game for platforms, dates, and where it fits in your playthrough.

Release order

  1. Prototype

    Prototype

    Xbox 360PS3PCActionOpen worldMainline

    Prototype (June 9, 2009, US) drops amnesiac shapeshifter Alex Mercer into a virus-ravaged Manhattan—parkour, consume-and-disguise powers, and military-versus-infected chaos that defined Radical’s power fantasy.

    Overview
    Open-world traversal with morphing weapons, stealth disguises, and over-the-top boss fights. Mercer can sprint up buildings and hijack identities in ways that still feel distinct from cape or gadget sandboxes.
    In-game setting
    Series origin and Story opener. Prototype 2 soft-sequels into James Heller’s campaign after Mercer’s arc; play this first unless you deliberately choose the P2-only Essentials path.
    Should you play it?
    Required default start. Soft-skip only on a deliberate p2-only plan—you lose Mercer’s origin, Manhattan tone, and the ending setup Heller’s story reacts to.
    Release date
    US June 9, 2009 on Xbox 360, PS3, and PC. PC versions and later storefront availability vary—verify controls and patches before buying used seventh-gen discs.
  2. Prototype 2

    Prototype 2

    Xbox 360PS3PCActionOpen worldMainline

    Prototype 2 (April 24, 2012, US) shifts the lead to soldier James Heller hunting through a still-infected New York—soft sequel to Mercer’s story with refined powers, zones, and a continuity handoff fans still debate.

    Overview
    Heller’s kit iterates Mercer traversal with clearer mission structure, tentacle/weapon upgrades, and a more guided open-world fantasy. Still pure radical shapeshifter action rather than a reboot under a new brand.
    In-game setting
    Soft sequel after Prototype—Mercer returns in ways best left to spoiler panels. Release and Story endpoint for the Western duo; no curated third mainline follows on this page.
    Should you play it?
    Play after Prototype for full-duo Essentials. P2-only is valid if you already finished Mercer; starting here cold costs origin context and makes the continuity debate harder to judge fairly.
    Release date
    US April 24, 2012 on Xbox 360 and PS3; PC later. Same generation as the first game—check current digital availability and whether you need backwards compatibility.

FAQ

Where to start, Mercer vs Heller, continuity debate, remasters, and related open-world action games.

Release order

Default: Prototype → Prototype 2 (full-duo Essentials).

Already finished Mercer: jump to P2-only.

Power-fantasy neighbors: inFamous, Watch Dogs, Mirror's Edge.

Yes on the p2-only Essentials path. You will miss Mercer’s origin, power tutorials in their original framing, and ending setup Heller reacts to. Fine for pure gameplay curiosity; weak if you care about the continuity debate.

Release and Story share the same two-game ladder: Prototype then Prototype 2.

Story panels simply raise spoiler levels on the Heller handoff. Use Essentials if you only want one checklist.

Story & continuity

It is a soft sequel: same infected New York fantasy, new lead James Heller, and Mercer still matters in ways that spoil the first ending. Some players love the handoff; others preferred staying as Mercer. Play Prototype first if you want to judge that debate fairly.

Editions & platforms

Optional & related

More timelines

Other release-order and story-order guides on this site.