The stealth genre isn’t the most common in gaming, but when it’s done well, it comes close to perfection due to the sparseness seen in it. Earlier this year, I reviewed the game Level22, which attempted at this in an office-style environment, although the results didn’t fare too well, due to a lack of fun, tediousness, and lazily designed mechanics. Now, Spy Chameleon is doing the same in a more open-ended environment, and with it already proving it’s worthiness on other platforms, does it do it again, or suffer a change of color? Here’s our verdict.
Gameplay:
Instead of assigning a simple mascot that doesn’t do much to change the game’s flow, Spy Chameleon developer Unfinished Pixel knew this wouldn’t survive in the animal kingdom, so a couple of changes were introduced. These include transitioning into different colors, in order to avoid the sights of your targets. Although it’s been seen in games like Ikaruga and Outland, it fits well with the numerous objectives that need to be completed each level, satisfying a more significant stealth style.
Story & Design:
All game genres need a good difficulty curve, but stealth games typically need it more. Spy Chameleon favors this idea, and in addition does it over a variety of sufficient levels with tight controls. While a story isn’t there, it doesn’t feel needed, as the game is simple and straight, yet still captivating. There are a couple of rough points in the puzzle and enemy variety, but it’s nothing too major to completely ill the experience.
Presentation/ Visuals & Audio:
Spy Chameleon also commits itself to strong graphics, audio, and presentation, being present in the vibrance, uplifting soundtrack, and arcade-like characteristics. With Cross Buy and long replay value also existing in the same pot, it’s a really impressive, entertaining, and well meaning mix.
Conclusion:
Spy Chameleon isn’t the best indie game on the market, but it’s definitely up there and sets it’s place in a rather empty niche. It’s not completely original, but it reminded me that shouldn’t always be the case for a game to be fun. In other words, it’s not completely perfect, but nowhere near cold blooded. (Oh the irony)
Spy Chameleon gets a 8/10 (Very Good)
We’d like to thank Unfinished Pixel for giving us a code!
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