Occasionally here at Player2.net.au we will play something that deserves your attention but probably doesn’t need a full review written for it. Be it DLC for the latest AAA title, a little indie game or even an Android/iOS title. We play these titles for the same length as the average blockbuster movie (about 2 hours) and report back to you the reader on what we found. So grab your popcorn and settle in for the latest episode of Blockbuster Gaming.
Blockbuster Gaming – CounterSpy
Spies have been classic video game fodder for decades. From way back on the Apple II with Spy vs Spy to more recent fare like Splinter Cell or Alpha Protocol, spies have always made a great basis for gaming exploits. The gadgets, the weapons, the bow ties all play into some great gaming moments. So it was with this in mind I approached the new 2d “Metroidvania” title CounterSpy, hoping that the game would live up to its stealthy brethren. I can happily report back to HQ with the intel that it does in deed.
CounterSpy seems to be a simple title at first. I played as an agent for C.O.U.N.T.E.R, an organisation looking to prevent nuclear war between two factions. These two factions (The Imperialists and the Socialists) are at each other’s throats and it was up to me to break into their respective facilities and prevent a nuclear launch. The gameplay was a massive surprise for me. More than simple platforming, CounterSpy had me sneaking through facilities with an excellent stealth mechanic, taking silenced headshots from cover, creating diversions with explosives and interrogating enemy officers. Basically I could do just about everything a spy would be expected to do in such a situation.
Perhaps the best thing about the game is the ability to play both factions against each other. As I went on missions my enemies gradually became aware of my existence and raised their DEFCON level to suit. The higher the DEFCON the more likely that faction would launch their missiles. I could however lower this level by concentrating on the opposite faction or capturing officers so I had to make sure I spread my missions between both sides of the conflict.
All this added with some great weapon and gadget unlocks, an interesting 60’s art style and some inspired splashes of humour makes CounterSpy a great pick up for any gamer. What is even better is that CounterSpy is currently a part of Playstation Plus’s free titles for March on PS4, Ps3 and Vita so there is no excuse to let this one pass by. Now if only they had included a virtual Aston Martin and cat petting villain, all of my Bond dreams would have come true.
Matt Hewson
