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[lt519]

Huh the rival system is interesting.

Yeah I liked that, I'm not sure how it decides who your rival is?

Well just finished on Normal. I didn't fail any missions but had two missions where the countdown timer started on me, mostly from dying, the cover mechanics aren't great for avoiding rockets and grenades. I only did one "extra" mission to lower the defcon on the imperialist side before doing the final mission. Took me about 2 hours (not sure if the clock ran while I was doing laundry..). Total score of around 63k and ranked 365th although I think if you just kept playing extra missions you could run up your score infinitely?

I actually had a lot of fun and am going to dive right in to another run on a higher difficulty to collect the rest of the weapons, formulas, and dossiers. I really only used the pistols and an automatic. I used the DEFCON, Endurance, and Security Camera formulas on every run about half way through.

It's short, but I did not have a problem at all like a lot of the reviewers did with entering rooms in really bad situations. Sure there might be a guard standing right there but it was relatively easy to take them down in 2D with a silencer before they alarmed anyone. I saw it as part of the game. I did have one situation where I caused to much noise and someone on the other side of a room that I couldn't get to started raising the DEFCON level. It went through three levels before I got him, but again fair enough since I was making a racket.

Solid 7.5/10 game for me, might lower to 7/10 if more play-throughs get too repetitive since the first only took 2 hours.

Edit: Couple funny things. One officer blew himself up trying to kill me before I could get him to surrender and the game through up a hint box to not kill officers. Two there is no UK on their world map? What gives...

 

[RoboPlato]

I'm really enjoying this game. Fun little title with great artwork and presentation.

 

[Toki767]

I think the reason why so many people have bad luck in terms of being screwed entering rooms where you can't stealth it is because the maps are supposedly procedurally generated. If they had designed levels themselves this game would probably feel a lot more fair.

 

[Messofanego]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0aqs4RuuyU&t=25s

I shot an officer with a tranq dart at the same time he shot at me, DEFCON still lowered! lol

 

[Calmine]

Great little game really enjoying it. I like that the levels are randomly generated. I have question I know the game is crossbuy but I noticed that it just says PS4 under my trophies so that mean if I download the vita version will I have a different set of trophies?

 

[Caleranatior]

Great little game really enjoying it. I like that the levels are randomly generated. I have question I know the game is crossbuy but I noticed that it just says PS4 under my trophies so that mean if I download the vita version will I have a different set of trophies?

Yes, for some reason there are two different trophy lists. One for PS3 & Vita combined and one for just PS4.

 

[Calmine]

Yes, for some reason there are two different trophy lists. One for PS3 & Vita combined and one for just PS4.

Rather odd for them to do that. Not a bad thing I guess I'll be happy to get some more trophies out of it.

 

[tusken77]

Gamespot - 8/10

 

[RadarScope1]

Download-only games generally have a day-and-date embargo because unlike big releases you don't really get much buzz for long, so they want the review push to happen then the game is live. I think the PS+ Preorder discounts are only for the Play deal anyway.

I get that but I'm not talking about way in advance. Like 24 hours. Even 12. Surely if a game is worth being included in a summer game promotion they could expect the buzz the last 24 hours, right? Either that, or extend the pre-order through the first 24 hours if the game's full release. It's just idiotic they way they're doing this.

 

[Jamesways]

This is a pretty darn fun, clever game. I haven't had many issues like the reviews I've read, as it519 said, you can run up and grab or chop a guy quickly if you enter right in front of someone.

I haven't had many aiming issues really either. I have seen the same map for different levels, but it's still fun with the random enemy encounters. I'm really enjoying it and am glad I pre-ordered it.

The art style and animations are fantastic. Love the cold war theme.

It'll be one I keep on the hard drive for jumping into every now and again.

 

[Ingueferroque]

I wish they didn't mangle the Vita version..

 

[Skyzard]

Hoping they patch it on vita ... just picked it up to check it out.


-Okay, I've now played the first 3 missions on vita.
Loading times between 1-2 minutes so far. At the start of each level.
Gameplay is fun, and I'm enjoying my time.
Framerate was good for the first two, one section in the third (after I died actually) was choppy but it was playable and didn't take away too much.

It's mainly those initial loading times that stink up the port so far. I hope framerate stays about the same for the rest of it...).
If you know it's going to be 1-2 minute delay before the mission start, you can sort of mentally prepare but it's still way too slow.

 

[AEREC]

I wish they didn't mangle the Vita version..

Seriously, the vita version really has me bummed. Even though I have a ps3 , I still prefer to play games on the vita. But I can't really stomach the jaggies, low framerate and lack of shadows on it....not to mention the insanely long load times.

Having a minute long load screen defeats the purpose of a handheld.

 

[lt519]

Seriously, the vita version really has me bummed. Even though I have a ps3 , I still prefer to play games on the vita. But I can't really stomach the jaggies, low framerate and lack of shadows on it....not to mention the insanely long load times.

Having a minute long load screen defeats the purpose of a handheld.

The jaggies are probably the most jarring part. I actually just beat it on Vita in bed after beating it on Normal on my PS4 this afternoon. One big this is if the frame rate stutters you can miss a cover when you are coming out of a roll (i.e. they throw a grenade you roll out and it explodes, but when trying to get back into a closer cover the explosion causes stutter and you miss the cover). Otherwise it still plays OK on the Vita, I got used to the controls.

Just finished Advanced, took about 2 hours again. Didn't find it any harder than normal (I did use 3 continues this time, but that was early on, you have to change tactics a bit), mostly because I think I got better and I have some better formulas (headshots through helmets). I also got better at conserving my silent ammo when they were already alerted to me. I actually beat the final silo mission on Advanced without having my DEFCON level increased at all.

Edit: Just finished Expert, took like an hour. Expert showed no change in difficulty to me than Advanced. I actually beat it with no continues and the DEFCON levels at 4 and 5. I cruised through it doing very minimal missions and ended with a score of over 100k (interesting enough they take away 10k for every continue as I learned on Advanced). So basically took me 5 hours to beat the game three times on all difficulties and I'm guessing it'd take me another 4-5 hours to collect the remaining dossiers. I have all of the weapons and formula upgrades although I didn't see a reason to stray from my set up of Pistol, Silenced Pistol, Shotgun. I didn't even fill the 4th weapon slot for the Expert run through. I guess that's what happens when the levels and enemies become repetitive and predictable, they become easy. I'll probably tool around and get 100% trophies. All I need is the complete stealth mission and 10 stealth takedowns in a mission trophies.

 

[postcyberpunk]

I love this game. I rarely laugh out loud at games, but this one has me rolling. As of right now (before the fall rush), this is my GOTY. Yes, there are some frustrating aspects that become tiresome... everything else is perfect, though.

Does anyone know what "Traitors" are? It has a spot during mission for "Traitors Found," but I have no idea what this means.

 

[jvm]

Very enjoyable game so far. I can see playing to repeatedly, since the randomization keeps you from saying "oh, yeah, this level" again. And the mechanics are simply enjoyable.

Played on PS4 and PSV, not bothered by load times or stuttering on PSV.

 

[chrislowe]

I enjoy this game and the artwork is superb. Been playing it on both Vita and Ps4 and it works great on both platforms. Vita has slower loadtimes but otherwise plays the same.

 

[mrklaw]

The jaggies are probably the most jarring part. I actually just beat it on Vita in bed after beating it on Normal on my PS4 this afternoon. One big this is if the frame rate stutters you can miss a cover when you are coming out of a roll (i.e. they throw a grenade you roll out and it explodes, but when trying to get back into a closer cover the explosion causes stutter and you miss the cover). Otherwise it still plays OK on the Vita, I got used to the controls.

Just finished Advanced, took about 2 hours again. Didn't find it any harder than normal (I did use 3 continues this time, but that was early on, you have to change tactics a bit), mostly because I think I got better and I have some better formulas (headshots through helmets). I also got better at conserving my silent ammo when they were already alerted to me. I actually beat the final silo mission on Advanced without having my DEFCON level increased at all.

Edit: Just finished Expert, took like an hour. Expert showed no change in difficulty to me than Advanced. I actually beat it with no continues and the DEFCON levels at 4 and 5. I cruised through it doing very minimal missions and ended with a score of over 100k (interesting enough they take away 10k for every continue as I learned on Advanced). So basically took me 5 hours to beat the game three times on all difficulties and I'm guessing it'd take me another 4-5 hours to collect the remaining dossiers. I have all of the weapons and formula upgrades although I didn't see a reason to stray from my set up of Pistol, Silenced Pistol, Shotgun. I didn't even fill the 4th weapon slot for the Expert run through. I guess that's what happens when the levels and enemies become repetitive and predictable, they become easy. I'll probably tool around and get 100% trophies. All I need is the complete stealth mission and 10 stealth takedowns in a mission trophies.

Why shotgun rather than rifle? No range issues with the shotgun?

 

[PaulloDEC]

I'm getting towards the end now (PS4 version) and I've had a pretty great time with it. Art direction is obviously fantastic, and the gameplay is quite satisfying, if a little simple. I'd like to see a sequel with some expanded mechanics; upgradable gear and weapons maybe, some more opportunities for interaction in the levels, etc.

A good first showing from Dynamighty, though. I'll be keeping an eye on their future projects for sure.

 

[wouwie]

I'm getting towards the end now (PS4 version) and I've had a pretty great time with it. Art direction is obviously fantastic, and the gameplay is quite satisfying, if a little simple. I'd like to see a sequel with some expanded mechanics; upgradable gear and weapons maybe, some more opportunities for interaction in the levels, etc.

A good first showing from Dynamighty, though. I'll be keeping an eye on their future projects for sure.

Sums up my feelings about the game (near the end too).

I do feel that the game could have been really good without random generated levels though. The developers probably tried to keep the game fresh and replayable with it but it had the opposite effect on me. It felt less varied and a lot more simple than could have been with non-random levels (= better level design). In the end, it felt like i always played the same mission with the same (randomly placed) enemies in the same (randomly generated) levels.

But i hope this sells enough so that Dynamighty can make another game. It's a promising start for a new developer team.

 

[sammyCYBORG]

Any plans for this to come to Steam?

If not I'm buying this today.

 

[Suzzopher]

My PS4 is activated as my primary yet I can't get past the loading screen for this with PSN down.

 

[lt519]

Why shotgun rather than rifle? No range issues with the shotgun?

Not really at all, you can surprisingly pick off enemies for far with it. I mostly use it in 2D or when I get spotted fast and in 3d when I need to clear out some close enemies fast. I don't run into ammo problems like most people so the pistols are totally fine for any long range I need (head shots and the head shot formula are key to this strategy)

Shotgun is better for 2d obliteration due to its high damage and rate of fire. I can clear out a room really quick with one without even going 3d or into stealth. Especially in higher difficulties against specialists, it kind of halts their firing process and you can jump back and forth between enemies without getting hit.

 

[Diomedes]

Got this during the PLAY promo, been looking forward to it. Starting it up, was a fun little idea, good art style, and overall entertaining. I really liked sneaking through the bases and finding well hidden rooms and the rewards for it. I did not like the atrociously long load times (for a download), I know the game was busy building the rooms for each level but they tended to drag. I did not like the camera; having it be constricted so that you weren't sure what was above or below you in some spots could have been greatly improved by having the camera drag or a similar function. The aiming was not great, maybe the Vita's fault I don't know, The weapons were interesting, at least trying them out was fun; I made good use of the persuasion dart gun, but timing your shot so that no one is looking and hitting a moving high-damaging target with it was very difficult. By the end my chosen loadout was MPK, Silenced MPK, persuasion darts, and silenced machine gun, worked well. I did not like the treaty violator or whatever it's called, could have been better but on first impression it let me down.

The final mission gave me a hard time, trying to get through some of the enemy filled rooms without being seen usually ended up with me being spotted and triggering the timer and a mad rush to try to finish, after 8 continues I finally made it.

Overall I thought it was a fun time and kept my attention. The story could have developed more or been more interesting than the dialogue between the agent and the controller. The little hints and facts during loading made it more bearable and I might pick it up again if I feel the itch for some spy action.

 

[Ace001]

Just got all the trophies 100%

Maybe my favourite indie game so far

I laugh every time johnny is mentioned

 

[FHIZ]

I had to restart my progress. Russia got up to defcon 1 mid game because I was sloppy and it just became unplayable at a point.

This game can be SUPER frustrating some times, which is a real bummer because I love the concept, style and gameplay... But when you're in a room with five guards are huddled together, each on paths that leaves one looking at you seemingly at all times, and no explosives to help clear out... God damn, is that annoying. I just hate when there's no conceivable way to deal with a room stealthily.

Also, walking into a new room with a guard standing right there looking at you is also super shitty.

I hope there's some sort of balance patch down the line, but I'm not holding my breath. Just got to tough through it, I guess.

 

[SerTapTap]

I had to restart my progress. Russia got up to defcon 1 mid game because I was sloppy and it just became unplayable at a point.

This game can be SUPER frustrating some times, which is a real bummer because I love the concept, style and gameplay... But when you're in a room with five guards are huddled together, each on paths that leaves one looking at you seemingly at all times, and no explosives to help clear out... God damn, is that annoying. I just hate when there's no conceivable way to deal with a room stealthily.

Also, walking into a new room with a guard standing right there looking at you is also super shitty.

I hope there's some sort of balance patch down the line, but I'm not holding my breath. Just got to tough through it, I guess.

If you didn't notice, you can quit at any time mid mission and regenerate a new level next you play. Make sure to take advantage of officers to lower the defcon level, there are usually several per level if the defcon is already high.

Just got all the trophies 100%

Maybe my favourite indie game so far

I laugh every time johnny is mentioned

"Johnny's birthday party has been cancelled due to his death" is my fav Intel quote

 

[FHIZ]

If you didn't notice, you can quit at any time mid mission and regenerate a new level next you play. Make sure to take advantage of officers to lower the defcon level, there are usually several per level if the defcon is already high.

Yeah I got that (I've actually gotten the same level once, but I think it was a fluke) but I've just gotten unlucky with shit like taking out one guy on a lower level, then somehow someone on the top level with absolutely no line of sight starts using the radio to raise the defcon level even though I used a silencer and quiet running, and then boom, timer starts and everything's fucked before I can even find an officer.

I swear the game just hates me sometimes. I've had a couple of instances where someone just starts radioing in when there is no one they could have noticed me on a level above or below me, it's just weird.

 

[SerTapTap]

Yeah I got that (I've actually gotten the same level once, but I think it was a fluke) but I've just gotten unlucky with shit like taking out one guy on a lower level, then somehow someone on the top level with absolutely no line of sight starts using the radio to raise the defcon level even though I used a silencer and quiet running, and then boom, timer starts and everything's fucked before I can even find an officer.

I swear the game just hates me sometimes. I've had a couple of instances where someone just starts radioing in when there is no one they could have noticed me on a level above or below me, it's just weird.

Guards do seem to partially telepathic if you alert one before killing them, a silenced single-shot kill should never alert others though unless they see the body. Also, in rooms full of enemies, the Persuader can kill as many people as an explosive if you're lucky (quickly shoot the strongest person in the room, back to cover, let them be enraged and kill everyone they can, then mop up).

Also, the traq gun is great for super quick peek-and-shoot, hit someone anywhere and they'll eventually fall asleep, I've used this sometimes when lining up a headshot would be too slow. But you gotta be careful because people become alert at the sight of bodies. And taking people out one-by-one as they walk by your cover is hilariously effective in certain rooms. Just alert a single dude (suspicious, not fully alert), let 'em approach, mash square, dead.

As for walking in on enemies looking right at you, sometimes you can see their facing when at a door...sometimes not? Not sure what's up with that, but the head icons for offscreen enemies can be useful to read, I didn't realize what they were at first.

 

[Jamesways]

Yeah I got that (I've actually gotten the same level once, but I think it was a fluke) but I've just gotten unlucky with shit like taking out one guy on a lower level, then somehow someone on the top level with absolutely no line of sight starts using the radio to raise the defcon level even though I used a silencer and quiet running, and then boom, timer starts and everything's fucked before I can even find an officer.

I swear the game just hates me sometimes. I've had a couple of instances where someone just starts radioing in when there is no one they could have noticed me on a level above or below me, it's just weird.

I actually had a really tough time with the final silo level too. I was Defcon 1 for that and tried several times, and primarily using just the silenced pistol. It did not go well. I eventually had to go back to other levels to have officers surrender to get to Defcon 4. And also buy some more weapons and formulas. That a took quite a few to get the cash and not completely screw up the stealth. I had to do plenty of quitting levels to restart/regenerate new ones to get it right.

Even with it at 4 I still botched it near the end. Lots of rooms with guys on multiple levels that become alerted somehow and radio in.

Fun game, but I did have my frustrations with it too. I want ot keep going to get enough to buy some other weapons and formulas to try them out, but then I think I'm done.

 

[FHIZ]

I actually had a really tough time with the final silo level too. I was Defcon 1 for that and tried several times, and primarily using just the silenced pistol. It did not go well. I eventually had to go back to other levels to have officers surrender to get to Defcon 4. And also buy some more weapons and formulas. That a took quite a few to get the cash and not completely screw up the stealth. I had to do plenty of quitting levels to restart/regenerate new ones to get it right.

Wait, you can go to previous levels?

 

[Jamesways]

Wait, you can go to previous levels?

You bet, the final silo mission select is in the center of the screen, so you can hit left or right to keep doing regular missions to gain money, get blueprints, lower the level, etc.

So... uh... guess you didn't need to start over.

Still, it took a lot of missions and restarts to help me on the final one, so we probably took the same ammount of time. But that was mostly me screwing up.

Agree with you though, sometimes it didn't seem fair at all.

 

[Doctor_Thomas]

So, because of some money on my PSN account left over from Last Light, I decided to give this a go.

I'm really impressed, I really like it, I really like how well it works.

 

[sammyCYBORG]

The level generator is pretty flawed. Feel like I'm playing the same dozen rooms over and over.

 

[mrklaw]

Can you quit a current run through but not lose everything? I accidentally started on hard and I meant to do it on advanced, but the wording is confusing - saying I'll lose everything except dossiers. I assume I'd keep all blueprints and formulas too?


The trophies are quite annoying - the one that says to get through a entire mission without being spotted is purely a dice roll. I had one mission with lots of areas with almost no enemies, but then the very last area had tons and messed me up

 

[sammyCYBORG]

I'm right at the end now and it feels like groundhog day. Same areas over and over.

It's a cool game but such a massive flaw. A great example at how unless you do it perfectly (Spelunky) you won't beat a uniquely crafted game by using randomly generated levels. Feels like the devs made 20 rooms and went fuck it good enough.

What a shame.

 

[Gavin996]

lol, why are all the guards called Johnny?
I just had three guards all say "Johnny? He's dead!" in a row :/

 

[gotstrangepowers]

Just got all of the trophies on the ps4 version using the silenced pistol, tranq gun, and persuader pistol. Great game. Once you figure out how to handle the multi-levels rooms it's a lot of fun.

 

[daydream]

Welp, I got a Vita on Monday so I picked this up like I said I would.

Seems very cool from what I've played so far, right up my alley in fact.

But yeah, there's some jank.

 

[KooopaKid]

The level generator is pretty flawed. Feel like I'm playing the same dozen rooms over and over.

That's why I'm worried about GalakZ as well. Randomly generated levels just plain suck.

 

[ButchCat]

The level generator is pretty flawed. Feel like I'm playing the same dozen rooms over and over.

Yup.

 

[More_Badass]

Looks like Counterspy is releasing on IOS tonight. $4.99

Here's the link for the New Zealand store, will hit the US store around 11pm EST
https://itunes.apple.com/nz/app/counterspy/id912920630

 

[chrominance]

I feel like I'm playing this game totally wrong. The Defcon mechanic feels really harsh to me (I can at least keep the Americans at bay but the Russians are at Defcon 1), I'm constantly running out of money and ammo, and I feel like I have to play perfectly in order to have a chance at making the 25 launch plan threshold to (I hope) finish the game. I can't even spend time looking for rival agents because I'm barely making it through the levels as it is. As it is I might have to restart the whole campaign, at which point I think I'd rather just stop playing. Every play session ends with me giving up after trying to beat a mission several times and restarting because the Defcon level has just gone too high for my tastes (seriously, EVERY DEATH is a Defcon raise? fuck you).

What am I doing wrong, GAF?

 

[postcyberpunk]

You don't have to kill everyone. But yes, the game is a bit harsh in certain ways.

 

[RadarScope1]

That's why I'm worried about GalakZ as well. Randomly generated levels just plain suck.

I dunno. Spelunky and Rogue Legacy say otherwise. It often depends on the type of game, though. Haven't played Counterspy but I'm not too worried about Galak-Z because it's a 2D shmup. 2D games seem to work well with randomization.

Interesting to see the spectrum of impressions here. Need to watch a video or stream of this now that's it's out. Might be something I snag in a sale later if it doesn't go on PS+.

 

[Freedom = $1.05]

Just finished the game, clocked in at a bit over 3 hours.

I really liked the game but it gets pretty tough near the end. I found myself quitting some missions 4-5 times because the DEFCON situation got a bit out of control. I also thought the inability to see whats either ahead or above/below you to be a bit unfair seeing as it would lead to me suddenly landing on a floor with a bunch of guards looking right at me

I hope we get a sequel because i could see how a counterspy 2 could be one of my favorite games ever.

 

[jvm]

I am so happy that this game has been so well-received after going on PS+. And, yes, bring on the sequel!

 

[stopthenadness]

Been playing this on the vita, the game is really cool. I remember watching a review for it and they said it was horrible but I was pleasantly surprised. My thing is now, is there any replay ability??

 

[Ramma2]

Played this a bunch last night, for the first time. First of all I love the game, but I have to know - did anyone else ever catch the UVB-76 "The Buzzer" going off faintly in one of the russian stages? Or am I just going crazy.

 

[methane47]

Just beat the game last night after i finally beat dragon age.
This game is a lot of fun and more challenging than i would have thought!

Man that last level was difficult!


Love it.