Every game console needs
a showcase piece. A game that can sit on the pedestal, look nice for the
camera, and play good enough to be more than a pretty tech demo. Zodiac has a
great variety of games that excel in the gameplay department, and a few that
excel with impressive graphics. None of them, however, not a single one, can
compare Fathammer’s adaptation of the PlayStation 2 SpyHunter game.
Think this is a rehash?
Think it’s just a port? The screenshots might lead you to believe that. This
Zodiac-exclusive version is in fact a variation of the PS2 hit. What that means
is that the controls are the same and the levels look similar, but not all of
the mission objectives match those featured in the home console versions of the
game. They don’t feature wireless gameplay for two-player action either.
For the first time ever,
gamers will experience the joy of a next-generation racing/driving game on the
small screen. Zodiac has other racing games, but SpyHunter is the clear leader
of the pack.
The controls are very
close to what you’re used to on PlayStation 2. Slight pressure to the analog
stick shows how sensitive the game’s steering is. There aren’t too many tight
spots in SpyHunter, so you don’t necessarily need to have precise controls.
Without them, however, the game just wouldn’t be as fun to control.
The coolest things about
the game (other than it being entirely in the third dimension) is its camera
angles. The game starts you off in the top-down view, which led me to believe
that this was more of a homage to the original SpyHunter. Then the game stopped
me dead in my tracks. I didn’t know the control scheme so I began pressing
buttons. The green button activated the game’s camera switch, seamlessly
changing the view from top-down to behind-the-car! The animation was fast and
smooth – no frame rate drop, no jerkiness, no technical issues whatsoever.
No mobile game has ever
had a real camera system before. It was so cool to see this for the first time
that I found myself switching back and forth between the camera angles, not even
worrying about the bullets that were ripping my vehicle to shreds.
When I finally stopped
switching views and started concentrating on the mission, I became immersed in
the high-speed battles. If you’re not chasing after someone, chances are
someone is chasing after you. As soon as you destroy an enemy vehicle another
is sent in to replace it. As much of a shooter-fest as this series has always
been, you’ll be surprised by the amount of challenge that you’ll have to
endure. Don’t be intimidated though. SpyHunter is not just for hardcore
gamers. Casual players will no doubt be able to beat it, just as long as they
don’t give up easily. The game was too engrossing for me to give up on and I’m
sure you’ll feel the same way.
In addition to seamless
camera changes and a steady frame rate, SpyHunter is gifted with the most
impressive visual effects the Zodiac has seen. Most mobile games use 3D blocks
for buildings, add textures, and call it a day. SpyHunter has tons of
individual shapes, superior textures, better coloring, and an incredible amount
of polygons. It’s not PS2-perfect, but it puts the PSone to shame! Remember
that the PSone was still pumping out great looking games in the year 2000. At
that time all we could do is dream for games like this. Four years later those
dreams have come true. Actually the dreams came true last year when
Tapwave.com began selling the Zodiac console online.
One thing that’s missing
from SpyHunter is a good soundtrack. The title screen music is good, but the
game is mysteriously quiet everywhere else. The sound effects are better than
average, but that’s not saying a whole lot considering how bad most mobile games
sound.
Do you need a reason to
buy a Zodiac? If so, SpyHunter is it. It’s the best version of the game on the
market. I even like it a little better than the PS2 version! Graphically the
game is unbeatable. It runs in a higher resolution than anything on N-Gage or
Game Boy Advance, and looks crisper and clearer than most PSone games! The
gameplay is impeccable for a mobile system, finally showing the world what the
next generation of gaming should be like. Zodiac proves that the next
generation is already here.
To purchase
SpyHunter, visit
www.Tapwave.com
Gameplay: 9
Speeding through
the city, bullets unlimited, missiles locked and loaded – it doesn’t get any
better than this. The classic PS2 driving game comes to Zodiac with a change in
mission objectives.
Graphics: 9
Unbelievable!
You won’t believe your eyes when you see this game running for the first time.
A testament to how far dedicated game developers can go.
Sound: 7
Difficulty: Medium
Much more
challenging than the arcade original.
Concept: 8
More than a port,
the Zodiac version does things that were previously unseen on the small screen.
Multiplayer: ?
Got two Zodiacs?
I don’t. But if I did I could let a friend use one so we could compete
wirelessly (using Bluetooth).
Overall: 9
SpyHunter is not
just a must-buy for those who have a Zodiac, it’s also a reason to buy
a Zodiac.
