Mediocre Spy Game

I realized that I'm really not giving enough product description on these reviews.  People probably have no idea what I'm talking about.  So I'm going to add a bit more to the start of every review.

PRODUCT: Death To Spies.  Video game by Atari.  For the PC only.  Need more info?  http://www.amazon.com/Death-Spies-Pc/dp/B000RPKCTC/ref=cm_cr-mr-title

REVIEW:

Crouched down in the bushes, you watch the guards pass. There are 3 of them, so you have to be careful. You reach into your backpack, and lob a gernade right in the middle of them, they try to scatter but in a suffocating blast all three of them are gone. You're next order of business is to carry the bodies off the road to hide them in the bushes. Next you confiscate the ammo, and disguise yourself with one of the uniforms that doesn't have blood on it. Now all you got to do is make it past the high ranking officer who will recognize you if you get too close....

So there you have it. Another level of Death To Spies. How is the game overall? To be honest it's a little bland. You take the role of a Russian operative. And you perform a number of missions. The game is cool because it does give you a number of real life options. You can sneak past guards, or try to knock them out, or use chloroform on them, or steal a uniform and walk past them, or you could whistle to distract them, or just steal a truck and run them over. The game does carry a lot of limitless possibilities.

That being said, the game is still pretty linear in the long run. You have a set number of goals you must accomplish with every mission. But at least the interface does a good job of keeping you informed so you're not lost as what to do next. There are a number of weapons to choose from, but at the same time stealth is usually your best bet. The game is realistic on the fact that even with your health you can't take too many bullets before you give up the ghost. The controls are a little too sensitive to me. So much that when I closed out the game my mouse felt slow on the desktop. But this doesn't detract from the game.

The story line is based off real events as well. But frankly I found the story really confusing. I do enjoy history, but I know nothing about Russian history during WWII so I was in the dark, and kind of bored watching the cut scenes. Although I do admit that the graphics are pretty good.

PROS: Good graphics. Tense missions make you feel like you're there. Good shooter scenarios mixed with stealth make the game work on more than one level.

CONS: Nothing makes the game stand out. Same old, same old. Hit detection is iffy sometimes. Story line is really obscure, and frankly kind of boring. Game is forgettable in the long run.

BOTTOM LINE: Game is very mediocre at best. It intrigued me for a while, but not for long. It's a nice little piece of fluff. But if you buy it, don't rush to the store, or pay full price. Try to get this one for cheap. Don't go looking for much here, and you won't be disappointed.

RATING: 2 of 5