Zzap


The Spy Who Loved Me
By Domark
Amiga 500

 
Published in Zzap #67

The Spy Who Loved Me

Get exercising those eyebrows! Roger Moore is back as James Bond in the 1977 movie. Once again 007 - licensed to kill and do raunchy things with as many women as possible - has to thwart the plans of a megalomaniac and save the world. This particular villain, Karl Stromberg, has an aquatic bent. He's captured two submarines, and intends to use them to nuke Moscow and New York. WWIII will result, leaving Stromberg's undersea empire to rule the world. 007 has been called in to foil the villain, aided by Anya Amasova, a glamorous Soviet agent. They take to the road for the opening 'scenes' (levels) of the journey in the ultimate Q-mobile.

Steering the Lotus through vertically scrolling roads, a slender map gives advance warning of obstacles. Traffic cones present no problem but water patches slow you down, oil spins the Lotus and knocking down pedestrians costs 50 points! 'Q' tiles line the route, collected for later use. The Lotus transforms into a speedboat halfway through scene one, where jetties, mooring posts and aggressive boats have to be avoided. Back on dry land for the next scene: heavily-armed vehicles hinder progress but Q's van is at hand, lowering a ramp for you to board it. Weapons can be bought using collected 'Q' tiles: lasers, smoke screens, armour, etc.

The most important device is the submersible upgrade, necessary for the next scene - a vertical-scrolling shoot-'em-up. Divers and subs attack the converted Lotus as it approaches Stromberg's base. Once there, gameplay switches to a single-screen Operation Wolf-style shoot-out. Bond slowly makes his way across a gantry to plant a bomb but Stromberg's men have other ideas; you take control of Anya's gunsight to shoot them.

The Spy Who Loved Me

More watery vertical action, this time on jet skis, as Bond pursues the sub Stromberg and his henchman, Jaws, escape in. Once on board, you look down one of the sub's corridors while Stromberg's men appear from doorways. Shoot them and shortly, Jaws and Stromberg appear, holding Anya hostage. Maim the bad guys and save the girl otherwise the world won't be a nice place and you won't have anyone to go to bed with tonight!

Stu

Spy is probably the most accurate movie conversion yet, capturing a huge chunk of the plot and - most importantly - the spirit. The Lotus scenes in particular boast some very impressive graphics which superbly recreate that brilliant chase scene.

There's even the motorcycle with its missile sidecar, although the Spy Hunter-style Q-van is a welcome Domark addition providing plenty of add-on gizmos.

The Spy Who Loved Me

The underwater section is even better, with masses of divers, mini-subs and diving bells - plus one mega-hard big sub and Stromberg's heavily defended base. The Operation Wolf scenes add some vital variety, and overall this is my favourite Bond conversion yet.

The only drawback is the repetition of playing through the early scenes, but currently Domark well deserve their licence to kill and thrill. Heartily recommended.

Wozza

Good old Jimmy Bond, you can depend on him to save the day while getting the girl and keeping his cool. It's a shame the same can't be said about myself! Weaving along the road like a madman, spreading cones all over the shop, crippling unsuspecting pedestrians, trashing Lotuses left, right and centre...!

My performance on water wasn't any better but I had a great time trying to improve it. Spy's six levels are nothing original but all have at least reasonable playability with graphics and sound as polished as 007's flashy cars. Standard vertical shoot-'em-up, static Operation Wolf and, most distinctly, the souped-up Spy Hunter of scene two all come together to make a busy, worthwhile package. Clever, Mr. Bond.

Verdict

Presentation 82%
Text briefing for each scene and demo mode showing each level. Disappointing gun barrel intro, however.

Graphics 85%
Smooth scrolling, colourful, highly detailed backgrounds and compact sprites.

Sound 80%
Amusing house mix of the Bond theme and a pleasing array of sampled effects.

Hookability 86%
The driving of opening levels is simple yet immediately enjoyable.

Lastability 78%
Two driving, two shoot-out and two vertical shoot-'em-up levels are enough to keep the most skilled of agents busy, although having to repeat earlier scenes can irritate.

Overall 82%
Another challenging, enjoyable movie translation from Domark.