Spyleaks (XBLIG): "A Retro Espionage Story Featuring Two Classic Game Genres"

This is one of those indie games that I would have likely passed up if it weren't for the developer (HeartBit Interactive/The Benjamin Ficus) requesting a review. After receiving the developer's request I watched the youtube trailer that was attached in hopes of better understanding what I'd be getting myself into. I was surprised to see that the game had an oddly familiar style of puzzle solving gameplay to it. It was a style of puzzle gameplay that I haven't seen in what seems like ages. If you've ever played the Nintendo game "The Adventures of Lolo" then you'll know what I'm talking about (Be sure to check out the video attached to this review for reference to that). After noticing this similarity along with the fact that there was actual shmup (shoot'em up) levels in the game I was totally hyped! Needless to say I agreed to the request, and did my playthrough so I could give you guys the inside scoop on this Espionage driven puzzle/shmup hybrid.

Spyleaks takes the ageless story of Espionage, and plunges it into a future filled with technological advances. The game itself is set in the year 2014 where cyber crimes are all the rage, and the methods of combating the threats are equally as advanced as the criminals themselves. Even with such advances though oldschool crime solving techniques are still very much effective, and are still utilized in the world. At the heart of this tale is a Spy-leaks agent named 'Jules La Grande', and his mysterious partner who goes by the alias/codename "Spy". This team of two work together utilizing the newest, and oldest tricks of the trade in order to solve various crimes of masterminded thefts. Spy who is an agent of oldschool methods uses his infiltration methods to get past security while Jules aids him via a special wristwatch that is used to hack into computer systems.

The game itself is divided up into multiple sections that will have you controlling "Spy" as he tries to sneak past guards, robots, and various security devices in order to reach the computer at the end. Each level within the game features an intro, five sub-levels, a shmup level where Jules is the "ship", and a timed escape level where you must race against the clock as you try to sneak past multiple areas of security. You will need to use the safes that are lying around in each sub-level to block the line of sight of the guards as well as block the various defense systems that are put in place. In order to do this you simply drag, or push the safe in front of a guard, or object by holding the (A) button and moving with the (Left Thumbstick). You will also be required to place safes on buttons as well as flip switches in order to advance to the level's exit door. Pushing, and pulling safes is not your only means of completing a level though. You will also need to use tranquilizer shots in order to stun, and move certain guards that can't be blocked due to limitations.

The shmup sub-levels within each level come into play after you make it to the computer room, and activate a computer by pressing the (A) button in front of it. In this particular sub-level you will pilot a virtual version of Jules as he flies through cyberspace shooting at "Space Invader" looking viruses. You have a certain amount of health so making it through to the end is not actually as easy as I probably make it sound. With that being said though you can collect health power-ups that refill your life meter as well as gather shot power-ups that change the speed, and number of shots that virtual Jules can fire. You even have a super laser that can be fired using the (Y) button when the corresponding meter is full, or at 50%. At the end of each shmup sub-level is a large boss that must be destroyed in order to advance.

Following the shmup battle you will be thrust into a sub-level featuring multiple areas where the objective is to sneak out before time runs out. The gameplay is exactly like that of the sub-levels that involve guiding "Spy" to the exit. As this sub-level comes into play the screen will pan out over all of the areas involved giving you a glimpse of the tasks at hand. There are multiple security features, as well as numerous guards in this type of sub-level making it the hardest part of each given level. Time is definitely of the essence as there will be plenty things to avoid, block, tranquilize, switch, and open. The likelihood of anyone completing these sub-levels on their first try is almost nill, but the good news is that you can get as many retries as you like.

In the end I really enjoyed Spyleaks. It offered solid puzzle solving gameplay the likes of which I haven't seen since the days of the NES. The addition of shmup gameplay only added to the game's likability. Things like retro spy music, and panel oriented plot art really made the whole package that much more grand. I couldn't find one thing at all that I did not like about this game. I didn't encounter any glitches, or hiccups which is definitely a good thing. The question remaining is, "Do I think it's worth the price?". I definitely think 80 msp is a heck of a deal when it comes to this game. Not only is it something "new", but it is also something that is very fun. If you haven't given this game a try yet at least sample the demo/trial version.