| Continuing Midway's latest craze of revamping their 1980's classics, Bond-inspired shoot-'em-up Spy Hunter gets its Game Boy Advance makeover.A slightly slimmed down version of the game currently available for the major home platforms, Spy Hunter for the GBA features the same objective-based missions, although there are fewer of them, as well as the same transformation into a 3D environment.The plot of the game revolves around an evil corporation called Nostra and the havoc they are unleashing across the globe. With the aid of the heavily armoured, morphing super vehicle, the G-6155, only you are capable of thwarting their plans and defeat the associated henchmen, spies and assassins.Taking place across seven worldwide locations, including Germany, France, the Florida Keys, Panama and Monte Carlo, the levels involve various objectives throughout, such as destroying vehicles, activating satellite communications and avoiding civilian casualties. Assistance in these matters comes in the form of various types of offensive and defensive weapons, picked up from certain helpful vans along the way, as well, of course, as the ability to transform between car, speedboat, turbo jet and motorcycle.The developers have implemented a Mode 7-style engine to emulate the 3D appearance. Coupled with a few little tricks, this makes for convincing visuals, providing some hills and jumps and removing the feeling of'flatness'that is normally associated with Mode 7. There's also an impressive reflection effect on the water sections.Spy Hunter is a solid reiteration of the arcade original. It is faithful to its predecessor, whilst offering some original touches and more depth to the gameplay, as we've come to expect these days. Unfortunately there's no inclusion of the original game, as some of us had hoped, but Midway have incorporated an'Arcade'mode, which mirrors its action in 3D. Link-up play is also supported, allowing you to play'Chicken'with your mates and adding a bit more life to what is a well-polished title. |
