Spy vs. Spy (2005 video game)

Last updated
Spy vs. Spy
Spy vs. Spy Cover 2005 PS2.jpg
Developer Vicious Cycle Software
Publisher Global Star Software
Engine Vicious Engine
Platforms Xbox, PlayStation 2
ReleaseXbox
  • NA: April 7, 2005 [1]
  • PAL: April 29, 2005
PlayStation 2
  • PAL: April 29, 2005
Genre Platform
Modes Single-player, multiplayer

Spy vs. Spy is a video game developed by Vicious Cycle Software and published by Global Star Software. The game is based on the MAD magazine's titular comic strip. The game features the two spies ("Black" and "White") in a story mode, plus two other game modes ("Modern" and "Classic"), and a multiplayer mode for up to 4 players. The overall gameplay is a modernized version of the older Spy vs. Spy series of games in 3D environments. The game received a generally mixed reception upon release. In line with other online-enabled games on the Xbox, multiplayer on Xbox Live was available to players until April 15, 2010. Spy vs. Spy was made playable online again in 2023, on the replacement online servers called Insignia. [2]

Contents

Game modes

Story mode

In this single-player mode, the player is able to choose between Black Spy or White Spy to complete a variety of missions filled with puzzles and a cast of enemies, all of which are AI-controlled. The story presents as an extended episode of the 1960s cartoon with a modern twist. The choice of spy does not matter, the player receives the same weapons, gadgets and missions in either campaign. The main story revolves around the two spies trying to stop the superweapon of an evil general and trying to outsmart each other along the way.

Modern/Classic mode

These modes can be played in Single player or Multiplayer. The aim of these modes is to collect 4 artifacts, (Key, Disguise, Gadget (Remote), Bucks Bag (Money Bag)) from safes around the map (and a Briefcase in Classic mode to carry all of the items) before the other spy, and then escaping in either the elevator or (in Modern mode) some unusual getaway vehicle. The winner is the player who collects all 4 artifacts from the map and then escapes. This rule applies in both Modern and Classic modes - the only difference is that the 8 Modern maps are all unique and different, but the Classic maps are more like the 1960s cartoon and the original game. The 8 Modern modes are: The Mansion, The Kooky Carnival, The Robot Factory, The Oil Rig, The Haunted House, The Volcano Lair, Area 51 & The Space Station, whereas the Classic mode increases in room size by 1 every level.

Other multiplayer modes

In this mode, two new spies are introduced: Red and Blue. These coloured spies are AI-controlled with 2 players or can be selected in 3 or 4-player mode. These are Deathmatch/Capture the Flag style games - kill all other spies and capture their flags to win, and can be played in either Modern or Classic modes.

Reception

The Xbox version received "mixed" reviews, while the PlayStation 2 version received "unfavorable" reviews according to video game review aggregator Metacritic. [3] [4]

Sequel and remaster

Around 2018, a sequel and remaster, titled Spy vs. Spy vs. Spy (or Spies) was being developed by ONIGAME team. It was put on hold for a long time until it was eventually cancelled with one of the reasons being that ONIGAME asked the rights for the game from Eric Peterson (one of the developers at Vicious Cycle Software which produced the game) but not asking the rights from DC Entertainment which owned the Spy vs. Spy IP. [17]

References

  1. ↑ Rainier (April 7, 2005). "'Spy vs. Spy' (PS2/Xbox) Infiltrates Retail". WorthPlaying. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  2. ↑ Xbox, Pure (2023-11-16). "Xbox Live 1.0 Replacement 'Insignia' Now Supports 150 Games". Pure Xbox. Retrieved 2025-02-05.
  3. 1 2 "Spy vs. Spy for PlayStation 2 Reviews". Metacritic . Archived from the original on November 18, 2015. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  4. 1 2 "Spy vs. Spy for Xbox Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on October 9, 2015. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  5. ↑ Vassar, Darryl (April 20, 2005). "Spy vs Spy (Xbox)". 1UP.com . Archived from the original on June 15, 2016. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
  6. ↑ Gibson, Ellie (June 10, 2005). "Spy vs. Spy (Xbox)". Eurogamer . Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  7. ↑ Gerstmann, Jeff (April 14, 2005). "Spy vs. Spy Review (Xbox)". GameSpot . Archived from the original on May 13, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  8. ↑ Vasconcellos, Eduardo (April 18, 2005). "GameSpy: Spy Vs. Spy (Xbox)". GameSpy. Archived from the original on December 27, 2005. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  9. ↑ Berner, Matt (April 20, 2005). "Spy vs. Spy - XB - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on January 25, 2009. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  10. ↑ Clayman, David (May 6, 2005). "Spy vs. Spy (Xbox)". IGN . Archived from the original on April 3, 2015. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Spy vs. Spy". Official Xbox Magazine . July 2005. p. 89.
  12. ↑ Fisher, Matthew (April 14, 2005). "Spy Vs. Spy Review (Xbox)". TeamXbox. Archived from the original on March 8, 2012. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  13. ↑ Dransfield, Ian (May 10, 2005). "Spy vs. Spy Review (PS2)". VideoGamer.com. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
  14. ↑ Leeper, Justin (May 24, 2005). "Spy vs. Spy Review (Xbox)". X-Play. Archived from the original on July 10, 2006. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  15. ↑ Newman, Heather (May 8, 2005). "Spy vs. Spy". Detroit Free Press . Archived from the original on May 14, 2005. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  16. 1 2 Wilcox, Mike (May 28, 2005). "Mad, bad fizzer". The Sydney Morning Herald . Archived from the original on January 21, 2015. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  17. ↑ "Spy vs. Spy vs. Spy official website". onigame.ca. Archived from the original on 11 June 2018. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
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