Prototype N is a side-scrolling action platformer about Nadine, a prototype android living on Turquoise Island. The island comes under attack by destructive robots, forcing Nadine to fight through the invasion while protecting her home and friends. At the same time, she is trying to discover who created her and why she exists. Clara, Nadine’s girlfriend, runs a shop, while Clara’s younger sister Selena is a mechanic who helps provide weapons and shields.

Fighting Through Turquoise Island

The game is divided into stages connected through a world map. Nadine runs, jumps, climbs ladders, slides, and uses her arm cannon to deal with enemies and environmental hazards. The current demo includes areas such as Morning Hills, Sunset Valley, and Midnight Summit. Sunset Valley contains sunflower fields and enemies such as Spunflower, while Midnight Summit includes underwater sections and Orbiters that rotate nearby objects and platforms.

Weapons and Combat

Nadine starts with a plasma shooter, but additional weapons can be found and added to her inventory. Weapons behave differently and can interact with enemies or parts of the environment in specific ways. Enemies also have weaknesses, so using an appropriate weapon can increase damage. Some attacks can be ineffective against particular targets, making weapon selection part of progressing through combat encounters.

During stages, players can:

•         shoot enemies with the arm cannon and other weapons;
•         jump, slide, and climb through platforming sections;
•         collect health and ammunition pickups;
•         gather Gems used for weapons and shields;
•         search for permanent DataChips.

Gems function as currency. They can be spent on equipment through the shop system, while the inventory can also be accessed at checkpoints inside levels. Shields provide additional protection from damage. The available shield types include Basic and Metal, with the Metal Shield also attracting nearby items and providing additional protection against spikes. Weapons and defensive equipment therefore affect both combat and navigation rather than serving only as collectible upgrades.

Collectibles and Stage Progression

Each regular stage contains three DataChips hidden for the player to find, while defeating a boss awards another DataChip. These collectibles store information about enemies, locations, and weapons, which can be viewed later in the Data Base. Bosses also appear on the world map and can block further progress until defeated. Between combat encounters, platforming hazards, collectibles, weapon choices, and environmental mechanics, completing a stage requires more than simply reaching its endpoint.