 |
| Title: |
Mission: Impossible |
| Publisher: |
Infogrames |
| Features: |
GameBoy Color. Link Cable Compatible. Infra-Red port. GameBoy Printer.
Battery Save. |
| Format: |
Spy Adventure |
| Reviewer: |
Eóin |
|
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Introduction
It was a long time ago, in the 20th century, when Christmas 1999 came. I
was confused, hungry and tired, but it had to be done. I had to choose the GameBoy game I wanted for Christmas.
The choices were either Mission: Impossible or Supreme Snowboarding. I loved the N64 version of Mission: Impossible
and was sorely tempted to get the GameBoy version.
On the other hand, Supreme Snowboarding looked like an interesting game too, but in the end, dreams of secret agents
with stolen documents won out over dreams of snowboarders pulling mute grabs. Any regrets? Read on to find out...
Synopsis
A UN Weapons Inspector has been kidnapped while trying to discover the truth about a Doomsday Weapon. As special
IMF agent Etan Hunt, your mission, should you chose to accept it, is to destroy the Doomsday Weapon and rescue
the Weapons Inspector.
Along the way you'll have different missions to accomplish. The setting of the game is very much like that of the
hit movie and you'll even come across certain scenes from the movie. The plot, however, is completely different.
I've had this game since Christmas and as the title aptly suggest, I've found it nearly impossible to finish.
Gameplay
MI is an addictive game and one that you'll probably put-down only after your batteries are flat. It isn't a pick-up
and play type of game, since you'll need to know constantly where you are, what you need to do and what your mission
objectives are. Some levels in the game can be very difficult, but if you stick with it and persist, you'll soon
find what's missing and make it through.
Basically, MI's gameplay, aside from running around, ducking, fighting and shooting, consists of finding items
and then using them to complete primary objectives. There are 12 levels in the game, and although it might not
seem like a lot, let me warn you that they are difficult and convoluted enough to keep you suspended in Spy Land
for some time.
In keeping with the cloak and dagger theme of MI, you'll have to use all of your cunning and stealthy skills to
pull off major missions and crack codes. The levels start off easy with your agent having the necessary items to
complete the rudimentary missions. Later on, as the game progresses, you'll need to discover for yourself where
the other gadgets are to complete your mission.
As I've said, gameplay in MI closely resembles that of the movie, and you can expect to find yourself breaking
into government buildings, downloading computer files, breaking into safes or rendezvous-ing with fellow team members.
I'm sure that fans of the movie will remember the particular scene where Ethan hangs precariously suspended from
an air-vent while trying to download secret files from a computer. Well, the good news is that Infogrames has reproduced
the scene, although the objective and settings has changed. Instead of a white room, you're now in an office block
and you'll have to find a cubicle with a computer that has the secret files.
Graphics & Controls
I must admit that the in-game graphics in MI is visually stunning and varied. It boasts smooth controls and fluid
animations and has one other redeeming feature that places it above it's contemporaries. What is it? The "Agent
Organizer" of course!
When you start the game you can chose between either playing the game or fiddling around with the Agent Organizer,
which is a gadget that allows you to input and store names, addresses or dates which can then be printed out using
the GameBoy Printer.
The AO also has a cool programmable remote control that uses the Color GameBoy's infra-red port. Once programmed,
the AO offers rudimentary controls for your TV, VCR, Stereo System and Satellite dish.
So next time the TV remote gets stuck down the side of the couch, don't waste energy trying to find it - use the
AO instead. Also, if you need to send or receive secret messages to fellow spies, you can use AO too which utilizes
the infra-red port for instant messaging - not quite e-mail but it's the next best thing.
Final Comments
I don't blame Infogrames for the delay in getting MI on the shelves. The time used was well spent, and has resulted
in a game that isn't just a weak parody or movie-tie-in rip-off. MI is a truly fun and addictive game, and the
addition of the "Agent Organizer" makes it even better.
Kudos to Infogrammes for knowing the meaning of "value-added", and for giving Color GameBoy owners the
chance to explore the full capabilities of their handheld's infra-red port and printing capabilities.
So, if want blood and guts, then wait for Resident Evil, and if you can't wait for Rainbow Six, then MI is the
best choice. I wouldn't, however, recommend it for younger players, since it is a challenging game and one that
I found even harder that the N64 version. All in all, MI should be on the wish list of every Spy adventure lover.
It offers nearly 20 hours of gameplay and gives us all the chance to drive people crazy by secretly changing the
TV channels on them with the Agent Organizer.
As you can see, I'm glad I got Mission: Impossible instead of Supreme Snowboarding. I just got Supreme Snowboarding
today and I must tell you that... hmmm, I think I'll save that for another review. |
