Grade: C+
Precision platformer mixed with a whole 25 minutes of animated cutscenes.
Master Spy is a 2d precision platformer with simple controls. You can use a cloak to hide from sighted enemies. You’ve also got your acrobatics to jump, move, and crazily dance your way around lasers, dogs, tigers, guards, robots, crushers, saws, electric bubbles, and sharks. (Yes, you hear me right…sharks!). If you’re caught, then you have to restart the level.
That platforming was difficult right at level one but then soon escalated to a cliff of nigh impossibility. Finally, around area 3, I hit a wall. I downgraded the difficulty to novice, kept trying, and finally put the settings to a narrative mode where you couldn’t die. I could have invested more time in practice, but I wasn’t in love enough with the character and game to push through.
Story that hit all the noir intrigue tropes
While the platforming wasn’t for me, the story of spy noir intrigue was a fun distraction.
Master Spy is a lawful neutral character who will follow through on his agreements no matter what. Even if the other party is full of betrayal and deceit, he’ll do exactly what he says. Master Spy has been contracted to get “the reel” back for 100k and darn it, and he’ll follow through on his mission.
The cutscenes at the end of each level are lengthy, and you get about 25 minutes of wonderful pixel art animation the whole way through. Some of my favorite non-spoiler art cuts are below.
While the platforming mechanics weren’t for my personal taste, if you like pixel art animations, Master Spy still worth a pick-up.
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