Spy Hunter Review for PS Vita - Cheat Code Central

System: PS Vita
Dev: TT Fusion
Pub: Warner Bros. Interactive
Release: October 9, 2012
Players: 1 (2-4 local multiplayer on PS Vita)
Screen Resolution: 544p	Mild Language, Violence

Completing certain objectives like staying healthy or finishing the level under a set time awards you with Research Points that can be used to upgrade the rate of fire, damage output, recharge time, and other weapon properties. However the improvements are negligible, as there is very little division between your destructive power and the enemy's armor. You can also spend points on new skins for your Interceptor, but they are strictly for show and, save a couple, are nothing more than bland paint jobs.

Spy Hunter Screenshot

The visuals in general miss the mark. The detailing on the Interceptor and enemy vehicles is very minimal, as is the color palette. The environments are actually much more pleasing to the eye, and the framerate holds up well when they're whizzing by at 150 mph. But you're not supposed to stop and smell the roses, so much of this lovely scenery goes unnoticed. The gallery art is also well done, but the still shots are too few and far between to truly enjoy.

The music is also subpar. Granted, the sound effects of the various weapons and explosions are decent enough (though the Vita's speakers deliver very scratchy sound quality), but the music is just abysmal. Like the original 1983 version, the game overuses the Peter Gunn theme song written by Henry Mancini, a classic secret agent tune. However, the tempo and remix are very dull, and the rest of the music score follows suit.

We've seen different permutations of the Spy Hunter series throughout its lifespan, from pinball games to a Dwayne Johnson movie that unfortunately got stuck in development hell (of course, that didn't stop Midway from publishing an awful game based on the movie). The newest reboot by TT Fusion had the easy job of upgrading a game with a simple premise. I believe they didn't feel the challenge was worth the extra effort to make it any good, and thus we have a game that may sell based on name recognition alone. It's certainly not worth the forty-dollar price tag.

By
Sean Engemann
Contributing Writer
Date: October 23, 2012

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

2.8

Graphics
The visuals that matter (your Interceptor and enemy cars) are the ones that look the shoddiest.

3.0

Control
The handling isn't the worst I've played, but it would have been nice to upgrade the vehicle itself and make the ride sharper.

2.2

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Not well-done at all. The sound effects are passable, but the remix of the classic Peter Gunn theme song is just plain boring.

2.2

Play Value
The game will take longer to finish thanks to a lack of checkpoints, but there's little replay value. It's certainly not worth the price tag.

2.6

Overall Rating - Average
Not an average. See Rating legend below for a final score breakdown.

Review Rating Legend
0.1 - 1.9 = Avoid	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	3.5 - 3.9 = Good	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair	4.0 - 4.4 = Great	5.0 = The Best

Game Features:

Transformation and Customization: Players now have more choice in their transformation and customization with greater hand controls, brilliant graphics, and enhanced action cameras.

Many, Many Missions! Replayability is enhanced through multiple branches based on vehicle type, multiple mission types, upgrades and rewards, and a wide variety of road types, various routes, and directions.

Savor the Destruction! Thrilling crash choreography with an action cam that slows down to show the destruction the player created.