Video game review: Counterspy, by Dynamighty
Even in our post-9/11 world of flag-waving counter-terrorist "heroes", there's something still to be said for classic spy-fiction clichés: witty, dashing rogues and bikinied babes, exotic locales and dirty jazz soundtracks, comically exaggerated villains and their pop-art-like "hidden" lairs.

Dynamighty


Even in our post-9/11 world of flag-waving counter-terrorist "heroes", there's something still to be said for classic spy-fiction clichés: witty, dashing rogues and bikinied babes, exotic locales and dirty jazz soundtracks, comically exaggerated villains and their pop-art-like "hidden" lairs.
It's unrealistic and far from what a real sleuth would do, but that's what makes 1960s spy stuff so much fun. And that's a large part of Counterspy's appeal, a download-only cross-buy for all Sony systems (PS4, PS4 and PS Vita).
Nostalgia is practically the name of the game here: apart from the major Bond-like winks and nods, the game's side-scrolling dynamics are heavily influenced by such '90s efforts as Flashback and the original Prince of Persia.
It's unfortunate then that it's the gameplay that ends up faltering, far from matching up to the wonderfully old-fashioned aesthetics and clever storyline.