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CounterSpy Review for PlayStation 4 (PS4)

CounterSpy Review for PlayStation 4 (PS4)

Hello, We Are Looking for Nuclear Wessels

Ah, the Cold War. That era of propaganda and posturing between the Eastern and Western worlds, backed up by gigantic nuclear arsenals that nobody actually wanted to use, overshadowed much of the last century. With aggressions simmering between Russia and the United States once again, it’s a great time for a game to come along and cheekily remind us of the absurdity behind Arms Race thinking. Indie developer Dynamighty’s CounterSpy does exactly that, while also providing an interesting take on side-scrolling Metroidvania gameplay.

CounterSpy doesn’t take sides in the Cold War—that would be contrary to its point. You’ll be part of the rogue spy organization C.O.U.N.T.E.R. that is beholden to neither the Imperialists (the USA stand-ins) or the Socialists (the USSR). Your goal is to infiltrate bases on both sides and steal intelligence before either is able to explode missiles on the moon, causing Armageddon. Causing too much of a ruckus raises the DEFCON level of the nation you’re currently infiltrating, so you’ll need to be smart and sneaky to complete your mission before anybody hits DEFCON zero and launches those missiles.

It’s easy to get into a Cold War mood with CounterSpy ‘s pitch-perfect presentation. Its world looks like it was pulled directly out of old Soviet propaganda posters, all angular art and grainy coloring. The soundtrack is a touch classic Bond , a bit Pink Panther , and all perfect for your espionage activities. Both bases are covered in posters that poke fun of their respective sides, although you’ll need to read Cyrillic characters to understand the Socialist jokes (what I could make out with my rusty Russian was the expected messages extolling hard work and the occasional vodka gag). It’s a very unique style that makes the game world interesting to explore and absolutely nails the mood of the era.

CounterSpy Screenshot

Sneaking around in CounterSpy ‘s military bunkers is great fun. Gameplay alternates between a standard side-scrolling view while exploring and an over-the-shoulder view when you duck behind cover to aim at foes. Your goal is to loot as much intelligence as you can in each 10-15 minute level while leaving behind no witnesses to your activities. To do so, you’ll have to carefully scope out corridors, discover secret passages, avoid or take out guards as silently as possible, and make sure nobody is around to hear when you blow up safes or pull the plug on computers. If you leave a room with an alerted guard, die, or let a guard call in about your presence, you’ll raise the DEFCON level. At DEFCON 0, a missile launch countdown begins, and you’ll need to get to the countdown computer at the end of the level and shut it down. It’s best if you can avoid that race and reach the computer with the lowest DEFCON level you can manage.

CounterSpy Screenshot

Tackling CounterSpy ‘s levels requires an extensive spy arsenal. You’ll start out with a basic pistol, but you can find weapon plans and formulas in the bases that greatly expand your options, as long as you’ve collected enough money to pay for them. I found the silenced pistol to be the most useful, but more heavy-duty weapons are good for hectic firefights. Formulas are per-level buffs that you can purchase to be stealthier, sturdier, or otherwise help you navigate safely through the levels. They’re balanced by their cost and by only allowing you to choose three at a time. You’ll need better gadgets and formulas as your enemies adapt to you, wearing bulletproof helmets so you can’t get headshots and putting bulletproof armor on their security cameras.

The exploration, stealth, and silent takedown controls are simple and responsive, and it feels good to outfox your opponents and retrieve their secrets. As the game goes on, however, there will be an increasing number of rooms stuffed full of guards, leading to nearly unavoidable firefights. It’s here where CounterSpy isn’t quite as much fun. The analog stick aiming is too clumsy for hurried situations, and things to go south rapidly once somebody notices you popping out of cover pointing a gun at them. Suddenly you have soldiers rushing at you, one guy in the back calling in and rapidly raising the DEFCON level, and a hail of gunfire smashing through your precious hit point pool. Mistakes are punished harshly, because the DEFCON level for each side persists between levels, and you’re in deep trouble if both sides get up to DEFCON 2 or 1. There are a few ways to lower your DEFCON, but they are limited, and it can be frustrating to see a single mistake cascade you from safety to Red Alert level.

CounterSpy Screenshot

If all else fails and your DEFCON levels get too high, you can restart the game while retaining all the tech you’ve unlocked so far. This is a nice option that, along with various multiplayer score challenges, gives CounterSpy strong replayability. It also allows you to see that the levels are procedurally generated. I’m not usually a fan of level randomization, but CounterSpy does it exceptionally well, with logical passages and well-placed loot. You might not even notice that the levels weren’t hand-made if you didn’t repeat them at some point. Play it too long or too often and things will seem repetitive, but the level design and replay options make it a great quick game for a lazy afternoon.

CounterSpy is an excellent addition to the PlayStation Network with enough style and unique gameplay mechanics to make it stand out from the pack of side-scrolling platforming/action titles. Those of us who are old enough to remember the Cold War will particularly appreciate the game’s style and humor, but it’s an entertaining title for anybody who likes some good old-fashioned stealth action. Its later levels can be a bit frustrating, but its espionage challenges are enough fun that you’ll want to keep trying until you reach the final mission.

RATING OUT OF 5 RATING DESCRIPTION 5.0 Graphics
CounterSpy’s unique style nails the mood of the Cold War. 3.3 Control
Everything is fine until you get into a big firefight, at which point the analog stick aiming controls are insufficient. 4.0 Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Awesome 60’s-style spy movie music, anyone? 3.8 Play Value
A full game clocks in at around five hours, but there’s some nice replayability thanks to well-done procedural level generation. 3.9 Overall Rating – Good
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:

  • Use stealth & action to make your way through military bases as an Agent for rogue spy agency C.O.U.N.T.E.R.
  • Prevent crazed superpowers in their twisted Space Race to be first to nuke the moon!
  • Experience fresh new gameplay in each play session with procedurally generated levels.
  • Unlock new weapons and abilities by stealing blueprints and dossiers.
  • Beat your friends’ progress. Find their downed agents for extra rewards.

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