Spy Fiction – Review

Everyone loves a good spy story; the mystery, the intrigue, the danger. There is just something about spies that make them so darn cool, and thus the topic of many a video game. The latest addition to this category is Spy Fiction for the PS2.

Okay, let’s get a few things out of the way. No game is perfect. Either the AI is too stupid, the gameplay is too linear, the storyline is weak, the graphics are rough, I could go on and on. In my opinion, the mark of a good game is its ability to draw you in, and immerse you in the game enough so that you don’t notice these flaws, or you just don’t care. If a game can do that, it is a good game. Sadly, Spy Fiction doesn’t put you in the game enough to make you ignore its many shortcomings.

The load times are horribly long, especially since the game has to load several times on the same level. Almost every time you walk through a door, the game will take a few seconds to load. This is especially bad on the smaller maps, where you are walking through a door every 15-20 steps. This constant interruption really breaks up the flow of the game, and prevents you from really getting into it.

To go along with the long load times, there is the terrible camera system. I found myself constantly struggling with the camera, trying to get the angle I needed. The camera definitely has a mind of its own, giving every angle but the one you want. The challenge should come from the gameplay, not fighting with the camera.

The graphics are just about average, with bland environments and lack of texture. The characters are stiff, and they have strange gestures that are displayed over and over, without any connection to the dialogue or the situation.

The sound isn’t much better. There are long gaps in the conversation during cut scenes due to the fact that your character only speaks about one third of the time. Someone will be talking to her, and instead of replying, she will just stand there and shrug her shoulders. Other times, she will reply. Very strange. There isn’t much ambient noise, so there isn’t any real connection to the different environments. The first playable level is just loud, blowing wind and footsteps. Even if you are inside, all you can hear is that wind.

The thing about Spy Fiction is that it isn’t all bad. There are some cool concepts in this game. The optical camouflage is very helpful, as it allows you to crouch against a wall and blend into it, making you almost undetectable. You also have the ability to steal the identity of any character in the game, sort of like the Hitman series. Where Spy Fiction differs is that you are not just a tall bald guy in a disguise, you actually transform into that person. As long as you don’t act suspicious, you will be able to fool almost everyone.

These concepts just don’t add enough to the game, and Spy Fiction does little to draw you in. There is no real compelling reason to play it. All of the flaws – the bland graphics, the lack of proper dialogue, and the poor camera angle – point to the fact that this game just isn’t finished, and this diminishes any amount of fun to be had while playing it.

Female Perspective: You have the option to play as a female character, which is good. Unfortunately, the developers didn’t take the time to write a separate script, so you will still be referred to as “he”. There is one mission in particular where the story line splits. If you play as Sheila, you will be required to play a stripper. But since Billy can’t dress up as women, he gets to be the bartender. Of course, Sheila has to seduce this creepy guy to complete the mission. Apparently, women can’t be bartenders.

Conclusion: Spy Fiction had the ingredients to be a solid game, featuring some unique elements that could have really enhanced the gameplay. Instead, it is just another sub-par entry into the espionage genre.

Review by Jocelyn

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