Spy Hunter?

Spector · January 2004

I played this game for the first time in about 1000 years a couple of nights ago, and I don't get it at all. There is a timer that counts down, but when it gets to zero, nothing happens. And there doesn't appear to be a start button for the game. I only managed to play it by using the traditional "arm over the keyboard" method, pressing as many keys as possible. Anyone tell me what the countdown signifies, and what the start button is?

MattLamb · January 2004

I can't ever remember 'getting it'. The count down timer does indeed seem to mean nothing, and I can remember playing that bastard for what seemed hours with no noticable change in gameplay or possibility of completing it.

Don't remember the start button problem, but I'm sure you're right.

That said, it was a nice game to play in terms of style and mechanics. Fast.

Steve Halfpenny · January 2004

Didn't you have infinite lives whilst the timer was still there and then when it ran out, the next life you lost meant game over?

I can't remember to be honest. Good game though.

chaosmongers · January 2004

Yes Steve, you're right.

You have infinite lives while the timer is running, and when it runs out - you're given just one more life.

Arjun · January 2004

hell yes. wot are the control keys? I don't know how to start the craft. it just sits there , frozen in time!

Spector · January 2004

On 2004-01-17 00:56, chaosmongers wrote:
Yes Steve, you're right.

You have infinite lives while the timer is running, and when it runs out - you're given just one more life.

What a strange idea. I don't get the thinking behind that at all. It's one thing that is frustrating me about a lot of Spectrum games - they have a good piece of programming and then the people involved say "right, lets add things that mess it up a bit for no reason, like no start button, an unneccesarily narrow road onto the water, a stupid countdown system" etc etc.
Maybe the arcade game was like that too - I'll need to give it a go now.

MattLamb · January 2004

This is one of the few arcade games I don't remember playing at the time, which is odd really. But I've played it since using modern technology and frankly still prefer the Spectrum version. Not sure if this countdown system applies to the coin-op as well though. I'm sure someone will let us know.

Spector · January 2004

I just checked - yeah the arcade game does does have that funnily enough. Don't think that idea works at all. I had a quick go at the C64 version on an emu, and it's possibly better, but I found that like the arcade version, the control of the car is far too sensitive. The Speccy version is better in that respect anyway.

MattLamb · January 2004

Yeah, I found it too easy to just veer into the side and crash on the arcade version. Never played the C64 one though. I'm gonna have to get on the Speccy version later.

mel the bell · January 2004

Yeah i just checked on mame and it starts ok with the normal start button, you do seem to have infinate lives while the timers running (i crashed about 12 times) then the next time i crashed after the timer run out i died....and it is terrible, i only pressed left or right once and shot across the road and died :( and the go forward button seemed to be the same as fire lol on default key selection anyway

Spector · January 2004

It's hard to say which version of Spy Hunter is better, the C64 of Spectrum version. My first thoughts were that the C64 version was the best without question, but both games have some niggles about them. C64 Spy Hunter is more faithful to the arcade, but the steering is a bit too sensitive. The sound on C64 is better, but the game is much slower, as it has annoying pauses. The Spectrum version is faster paced, but is less forgiving when you touch the side of the road. I think this has to be a draw.

Alex_Lux · January 2004

If memory serves...

COUNTDOWN
Remnant from arcade machine, where when you pay (insert coin), you get 100 (or so) seconds of 'guaranted play'. I mean, if you fail to collect enough points during countdown, you're out!! (obviously, players from this Forum, pass that mark ;) ) If you pass 'mark', you have one (or more?) lives in 'unlimited' play.

NARROW ROAD ONTO WATER
You can take those roads (drive slowly!) in order to drive speedboat (instant, automatical swap: car-boat). Game shifts on water, dodge mines, kill other boats...

HELI
with proper 'upgrade' you can knockdown heli (rocket launcher I guess)

UPGRADES
4 kinds, collected from white truck (you have to climb- enter the truck from rear). If memory... upgrades are activated with combination 'fire+direction'. 'Drop oil' can destroy even armoured badies (your bullets are harmless).

ROAD/BRIDGE BREAKS
Obviously, players from this Forum didn't play far enough, to see this, but that's the reason why "the meaning of narrow roads" was 'discovered' :)
Oh yes, after you pass break point, you can get back to road if you like.

FINISHING ?
Don't know if there is 'a plot' in this game (what to do, why...) but noticable is change of ground's colour (from green to yellow, then to white... then to ???) and that I consider as 'new level' (probably that's a new season or state in game's terms)

After some practice, you'll easily stay in game for 45 min or so, but the game become be boring...

Paul van der Laan · January 2004

If I recall correctly, you start the game with fire+up or fire+down.

Spy Hunter was one of my first Speccy games and I've played it to death. Great arcade game, very playable, nice graphics and good pace. I have to give it a go again to see if it's still a challenge to play, I guess it's too easy now.

Sard · January 2004

I think you will find the arcade version real tough to control down to the fact that the cabinet used a analog steering wheel . and that "Left+Right" on a keyboard dosnt really cut it.

Try using the mouse , works much better

Spector · January 2004

I thought that would be the case, that the steering wheel wouldn't work when using a joypad to mimic it. So that's why I find the C64 version odd, as it's got roughly the same sensitivity.
Anyone who has any spare time, I'd like you to have a quick go at the C64 version to see how you think it compares to the Spectrum version - I'd be interested to know. Personally, I think C64 Spy Hunter is slightly better.

thx1138 · January 2004

I think you can clock up high scores by stopping the car in front of a helicopter, just out of the way of the line of fire?

MattLamb · January 2004

On 2004-01-20 01:27, thx1138 wrote:
I think you can clock up high scores by stopping the car in front of a helicopter, just out of the way of the line of fire?

Indeed - every bomb the helicopter drops I believe you get a load of points for.

Also, if you accelerate to the top of the screen, then break hard to a stop, nine times out of ten a powerup lorry will drive onto the screen.

Steve Halfpenny · January 2004

On 2004-01-17 10:50, Spector wrote:

On 2004-01-17 00:56, chaosmongers wrote:
Yes Steve, you're right.

You have infinite lives while the timer is running, and when it runs out - you're given just one more life.

What a strange idea. I don't get the thinking behind that at all.

It's simple really. As it has already been mentioned the coin-op did this and remember, the people who own the place cannot have someone hogging a machine to themselves all day (though it did tend to happen a lot).

Some versions of Space Harrier did something similar (after the first stage when the timer ran out, the player was given so many lives to continue with).

Spy Hunter?

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