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| Title: |
Spy vs Spy |
| Publisher: |
Vatical Entertainment |
| Features: |
Color GameBoy Only
Password Save
2 Player With Link Cable |
| Available: |
Mega Multimedia
Tampines Mall
Tel: 788-7555
Fax: 788-2555 |
| Reviewer: |
Eric |
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Introduction
Spy vs Spy the game has been around. It was on the 8-Bit NES, Apple II and
the Commodore 64. Now it's on the Color GameBoy with exclusive new levels.
To tell the truth, I've never played it on any of those machines, though I remember reading Spy vs Spy in Mad magazine
and loving it.
It was my favorite comic strip, and appealed tremendously to my somewhat demented sense of humor and fiendish appetite
for destruction. As such, it was nice to see it reincarnated as a GameBoy game, although I suspected right away
that the famous gore and mayhem of the strip would have to be greatly reduced for the game. Sadly, I was right.
Game Play
Spy vs Spy is a real-time, head-on game played in two windows. You can play as either the white Spy or the black
Spy. Don't worry about the color, since there is no distinction between good or evil. If you've read the comic
strip, you'll know what I mean.
The object of the game is quite simple i.e. find four hidden items in a building, stuff em' in the suitcase and
escape within the time limit. Unfortunately, however, the enemy Spy is also in the same maze-like building, and
after the same items as you are. As such, you'll have to get the items before he does.
As a Spy, you'll be armed with offensive weapons to be used as traps. These weapons include dynamite, water buckets,
coil springs and time bombs. Knowing where and when to place this traps requires cunning and strategy.
For example, a chest of cabinets would be the ideal place for a dynamite trap. If the enemy Spy opens it, not only
will he be rendered temporarily unconscious by the blast, he will also loose precious time as well as all the items
that he has acquired. This works both ways, so be careful.
There are defensive weapons too, and these can be found at various locations. One example of a defensive weapon
is the White Bucket which you can find near fire extinguishers. The White Bucket is good against dynamite, so remember
to have it with you before poking your nose into cabinets and drawers.
As I've said, you and the enemy Spy are in the same building. As such, face-to-face encounters are often likely,
and in these instances, you will have to rely on your fists. Don't worry, there isn't anything elaborate in the
fist fight, just keep punching until one of you dies. If the enemy has a weapon, however, then I suggest you run
away. Weapons make them stronger.
Spy vs Spy is played in 32 stages, divided into four groups and based on four different escape modes. You can play
versus the computer or via link cable with a friend. There is also a training mode, which will teach you the basic
skills on a becoming a Master Spy.
Color & Controls
As you can see from the screen shots, Spy vs Spy is a colorful game, despite
the fact that there isn't much in way of scenery or objects.
The interface is nicely designed and shows easily at a glance all the items you have and the time remaining. The
double-paned view can be initially confusing, but give it a little time and you'll get used to it.
Sadly, animations are few but hilarious. My favorites (as you would guess) are those that show the traps going
off, and the Spy turning into a floating Angel when he dies. I also liked the way a Spy would fiendishly snigger
when a trap was successful, but only because it reminded me so much of the cartoon.
The controls in Spy vs Spy are rudimentary and adequate for the purpose of this game.
Final Comments
Spy vs Spy is a good game, but after a while, it becomes rather monotonous. There isn't much in way of variety,
and this includes not only the few weapons and traps that you can use, but also the background graphics and scenery.
Having an outside mission would have relieved the tedium, and avoided the stir-crazy feeling of playing in an endless
maze of similar looking rooms.
The double-paned view will take a lot of getting used to, and because of the real-time nature of the game, you'll
often find yourself lost or wondering where the enemy Spy is. There is a map that shows you the enemy's location
each time he leaves a room, but this flashes on and off so quickly that it is almost pointless. A real-time map
and enemy locator would have made things a whole lot easier.
As a stand alone game, Spy vs Spy is adequate, but as a two player game (although I didn't get a chance to try
it), it would be phenomenal. Nothing beats playing with a human opponent, and on that basis alone, I would give
Spy vs Spy thumbs-up for an instant purchase. |
