Spy Hunter Review
For the most part, it makes good on the PlayStation 2 version, but it's dragged down by somewhat problematic graphics.
As we all know, history has a way of repeating itself, and this maxim rings no truer than in the field of video games. Popular games tend to spawn sequels and imitations ad nauseum, and classic titles are often recycled by publishers looking to cash in on existing name recognition. Midway has certainly been guilty of squeezing its franchises for everything they're worth and then some, but its PlayStation 2 remake of Spy Hunter qualified as more of a revival than a cash-in. But there's a new facet to the repetition of history, where publishers will take a game from one platform and port it to every other modern console. Spy Hunter for the Xbox is just one of these ports. For the most part, it makes good on the PlayStation 2 version, but it's dragged down by somewhat problematic graphics.
The game's story plays out like an unmade James Bond movie, pitting you as the lone superspy up against an evil organization known as the Nostra, which is conspiring to drain the planet of its power. Taking to the road in the G-6155 Interceptor, you'll travel around the world to locations such as the canals of Venice, the autobahns of Germany, and the Panama Canal. The core mechanics of the arcade classic remain intact--that is, you can drive down stretches of road or water and blow up any enemy vehicles that cross your path. Aside from the smoke screen, oil slick, missiles, and front-mounted guns in the original, defensive flamethrowers and more exotic weaponry, like an electromagnetic pulse cannon, equip your supercar. The Interceptor is also a versatile vehicle, able to transform from car to boat and back again. If your vehicle takes enough damage, it will shed the majority of its weight to reveal a slimmed-down motorcycle or Jet Ski, depending on the environment. The Interceptor handles incredibly well in all of its forms, though the full road machine form is the most fun. The sensation of speed can be very satisfying, and powersliding is as easy as it is constantly necessary, due to the turn-filled nature of the game's level design.
Blowing things up is no longer the sole purpose of Spy Hunter, as each mission charges you with a primary mission objective, as well as a handful of secondary objectives. These objectives include escorting friendly vehicles, blowing up stolen Interceptors and enemy communications towers, or simply escaping from an enemy warehouse before time runs out. While certain goals, like collecting all the satcom icons, are found in every level, the objectives are varied and keep things interesting on the whole. As you complete mission objectives, you are awarded points, which you'll need to accumulate to advance to the next level, making it necessary to run through each level several times to complete all the objectives. On the downside, there are only 14 levels in all, and with each taking between three and seven minutes to run through, this doesn't give Spy Hunter much length. There is a ton of unlockable goodies hidden in the game, such as music videos and behind-the-scenes footage, but these treats aren't as much incentive to keep playing as more levels would be.
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Player Reviews
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I really enjoyed this game. Great adaptation of the original classic! This game will grow on you for sure! =D Continue »
Critic Scores
- TeamXbox 3.2 / 5
- IGN 7 / 10
- Game Chronicles 6.3 / 10
- GameZone 6.3 / 10
- Xbox Impact 6.8 / 10
- AceGamez 7 / 10
- Gaming Target 6.2 / 10
- GameCritics 7 / 10
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