"Virtua Spy Shooter"

This game is basically the 'sequel' to Virtua Cop 2, given a spy-movie makeover, now dubbed CMF (Confidential Mission Force). The game is an impressive lightgun game set in 007 style genres. Though it's definitely not a true sequel, it's promise holds true to Virtua Cop fanatics. Sega have managed to achieve this despite overwhelming competition from Namco. On to the review....

Gameplay: 8/10

While terrorists die in one shot, there's plenty to go round. Hardly a millisecond passes before you plug another foe. The action is fast-paced, giving you little reaction time in the later levels. Fresh, challenging mini-tasks, such as plugging gas vents with your trusty gum gun, or shooting grappling hooks onto adjacent buildings, keep this game variable. Another welcome addition is the different routes and paths it offers, depending on succeeding or failing a particular task. It isn't that hard to get started-as with all gun games- just point and shoot. 2 player action is frantic and simlutaneous fun! The game suffers from a maddening difficulty. This is reduced if you play the deluxe cabinet, but the normal one is rather tedious, with the 'small screen set 1 meter behind glass' setup. Overall, it's one of the 'harder' games- certainly no time crisis 2. TC fans may find it hard with offscreen reload function. Without the ability to take cover, the game provides more of a challenge, but less expandability.

Audio: 8/10

I was temped to give this a 9, if it weren't for the sub-cheesy dialogue. Even then, the script isn't bad, just a little cheesed in SOME areas. But the musical score is nice, letting you feel a sense of tension. Enemy screams are sharp and spontaneous, as are the SE.

Graphics: 9.5/10

This game shines in graphical detail, the polygons are jam packed and smooth, the shadows and reflections are top-notch, and the design of each foe (including Gibson and his female sidekick) are glossy and detailed. The stages are highly detailed, ranging from a national museum, a runaway train, and an enemy base. The enemies grunt, crumble, and fall in varying different ways. Especially the train sequence, with masterful views like knocking out the window to shoot gun-toting snow-jets, and leaning upside down to shoot enemies patrolling the level beneath you. The bosses are nicely thought out, the first one looks like a Dick Tracy rip-off. The trademark is a mix of 007 and Mission : Impossible.

Story: 7.5/10

Which gun game has a complex plot? None. Same with CMF. Basically, the same 'Riot after Cold War' issues (like the movie 'Air Force One'), a secret russian armed force known as Agares are creating havoc with sattelites and CMF have dispatched 2 agents, the cool, suave and mature Howard Gibson, and his female accomplice, the beautiful but calculating Jean Clifford, to put a stop to this. Armed with silenced automatics, you shoot, shoot, and uh, shoot your way through to the end. The feel is very spy-flick-ish.

Replayability/Lastability: 7/10

Once you've mastered it, you can try deliberately losing/winning the mini-tasks to advance different routes, but apart from that, nothing new. That's the thing with lightgun games. There's a code to demolish target circles, but don't try this unless your a pro. If you're really into this game, the dreamcast version should be out by now- it contains 'another world' option that allows the game to be played using different angles. Also there's agent academy.

Overall score: 9/10

The game is excellent, and a must-play for shooting fans. Fans of Virtua cop will be pleasantly surprised with this NAOMI based hit.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 05/22/01, Updated 05/22/01