Spy Fiction – PS2 – 2004
Spy Fiction is the very first game Swery65 directed, and while it may not be the best reviewed title out there you can start to see some of his signature style eke through. At its core, Spy Fiction is a stealth game like Metal Gear Solid or Splinter Cell. However, it tries to introduce some unique mechanics and situations to mix up the general sneaking around. You follow the story of two elite spies Billy Bishop and Sheila Crawford, as they endeavor with the Special Execution Agency to take down a group of terrorists known as Enigma.
There’s a fair mix of intense shooting and puzzle solving in the game, with mechanics like vision cones and having to run away when spotted like in Metal Gear. However, the big novelty Spy Fiction introduces comes with the 3DA Cam, a device that lets you take a picture of any character in the game and instantly imitate them as a disguise, both in look and voice.
This adds a unique flavor to the game, especially as some of the smarter puzzles make good use of the mechanic. Although Spy Fiction may be short, there’s an interesting story to be had filled with quirky characters. It doesn’t go to nearly the lengths that Swery’s later games would, but it’s an enjoyable romp that wears its inspirations on its sleeve. The game does have technical issues, and can become repetitive, but it’s still a novel experience to play, especially if you’re a fan of Swery65.
