Spying and hunting is an everyday occurrence for most of the GameZone staff.  After surviving the tanker in Metal Gear Solid 2 and a burning building in Splinter Cell, we're pretty well prepared for just about anything.

On the less spying and more hunting side of the spectrum is SpyHunter 2, Midway's sequel to the update of their classic franchise.  It's available for multiple game consoles, has a few new vehicles, and includes some unique bonus content, as well as an all-new theme song from Vanessa Carlton.  If you've heard her upbeat, semi-pop songs on the radio, you might think that this was a mistake.  On the contrary, this was the wisest choice Midway made with the game.

In an exclusive interview included with SpyHunter 2, Vanessa Carlton says that she wanted to do a song for this game because it allowed her to show a darker side.  It opened a window for her to create something new, something different.  After listening to the song and watching the video of her live performance from E3 (also included on the game disc), I have nothing but praise to give to this artist.  Her previous stuff wasn't my kind of music, but I've always respected her as a musician.  She's very versatile.  Not many artists could have done something so strikingly different from what's heard on her albums.

Normally I don't comment on the music at the beginning of the review, but it is an important part of this game.  Aside from Vanessa's contribution, however, SpyHunter 2 doesn't have the most spellbinding sound.  Its soundtrack is mostly repetitive, techno-style compositions that play over repetitive sound effects (explosions and other car game sounds).  You can always turn off the sound, so the game can't be penalized too severely for this flaw.

Two years ago SpyHunter 2 would have seemed like a great extension of the original.  In many ways it is; little has changed in the combat department.  The whole game is one big, semi-linear battle.  You're constantly moving forward and have few reasons to backtrack.  Multiple road paths give the player a little variety in deciding which way to go, but for the most part the outcome is the same.  Every road you take ultimately leads to the same destination.  You might increase or decrease your chances of success by taking a different path, so it is wise to be careful in choosing which roads to cruise.

Transformations are once again an automatic occurrence.  Having trouble dodging all those bullets?  Is the armor too weak to stand another blow?  The game will automatically rip off the metal and convert the vehicle to a two-wheeler motorcycle-type vehicle.  Driving near water?  Do you wish to jump off the edge, pass through the water and beat the enemy to his destination?  Then jump off the edge and watch what happens – the game nearly freezes, camera spinning slowly, vehicle transforming into something more appropriate.  It's all very Matrix-y.  Now you can drive on water.

(Although it sounds crazy, a European company is currently working on a vehicle that can drive on both land and water.  Its tires go underneath the boat-shaped body of the vehicle for traversing water.  The vehicle will retail for $250,000+ when it's released, so start saving your pocket change now.)

SpyHunter 2's primary goal is no different from the original: kill the enemy.  There might be sub-objectives or an important reason for killing the enemy (like protecting an ally plane and ensuring that it has a safe takeoff), but you'll still spend 90% of the game shooting.  Enemy lookout towers need to be blown up; invulnerable trucks need to be passed and dealt with quickly (by using dropped bombs that go underneath their vehicle), etc.  Enemies of some kind will be on your tail or in front of your headlights during the majority of the game, giving trigger-happy gamers something to shoot at all times.

As with the first game, aiming is based on your driving position.  The controls are very sensitive though, so you can move the analog stick left to adjust your crosshairs and not have to worry about turning too sharply.  The game is designed with the shooting-heavy gameplay in mind, so it's very difficult to spin out of control or screw up in some other way because you were trying to aim.  Death will likely worm its way into your life when are trying to complete a mission that's very tough.  The game is straightforward but not always easy.  You've got to be a quick shooter.  Do you have what it takes?

Being as repetitive as it is, SpyHunter 2 is primarily intended for the big SpyHunter fans.  I really enjoyed the original, and I liked this sequel a lot, though I can't say I had as much fun with it.  It's definitely worth checking out, and should be considered something more than a weekend rental for gamers who loved the original.

Gameplay: 7.2
If you want to have a thrill, then you'd better drive and kill.  That's the essence of SpyHunter 2.  The game includes a list of mission objectives to complete in every level, but what it all comes down to is how successfully you shoot the enemy and how well you're able to keep yourself (and your allies) alive.

SpyHunter 2 is a bit too linear to be considered a car/combat game, and it doesn't really fit in the driving game genre either.  Since there are no other games quite like it, SpyHunter might as well have its own genre.

Innovation is not a part of this sequel, so if you came for a revolution you should probably go home.  But if you liked what the original had to offer, SpyHunter 2 is an extension of that.

Graphics: 6
Generic explosions.  Lackluster detail.  Slightly grainy graphics.  Is this an Xbox title?  Well, you could have fooled me.  It looks like it belongs on the PS2 at launch, not on the Xbox half-way through its lifespan.  Games are supposed to look better with time, not stay the same.

Sound: 8
"Dark Carnival" is an awesome track.  The rest of the soundtrack leaves a lot to be desired though.  If this category were based solely on Vanessa Carlton's contribution the game would have received a 9.

Difficulty: Medium
SpyHunter 2's difficulty lies somewhere in the middle.  It's not overly difficult, but it's not very easy either.

Concept: 6
New vehicles, but where are the new play mechanics?  Why hasn't the gameplay been improved?  Why doesn't the game run faster and look better?  These are things that should have been addressed.

Multiplayer: 7

Overall: 7
SpyHunter 2 is sorta like a traffic jam.  Its narrow roads feel somewhat congested, and even though there are different roads to take, the path never veers far from the jam.

Lots of explosions will be seen as you fly through each course, unleashing every piece of ammunition that you have.  As you drive deeper into the game you begin to realize that, despite being in the third dimension, SpyHunter hasn't changed much in 20 years.  The goal is essentially the same: drive forward and shoot the bad guy.

Vanessa Carlton's new song, "Dark Carnival," perfectly complements the game.  I don't know how Midway came to the conclusion that she would be the artist to get for this game, but the results are incredible.  Now I'm a fan of Vanessa and look forward to her next album.  Hopefully it'll include a version of "Dark Carnival."

Overall this repetitive car-shooter is a good rental for most and a good buy for those of you who thoroughly enjoyed the original SpyHunter.