Being a spy, or 'spy hunter' for that matter, does not mean chasing people through the streets of New Orleans in a Transformer. Just because Bond does it, doesn't make it big or clever. Being a spy hunter, especially in the 21st century, means more than racing along a stretch of road avoiding mines and shooting the bejesus out of everything.

It may have washed way back in the '80s arcades, but not in this fast-paced world of nano-technology and subversive counter - intelligence. For God's sake, Roger Moore used to be 007, haven't we learned anything?

The story, which is helpfully explained via an onboard computer called Leonie 2.0, is the usual Eastern Bloc nonsense, but that's utterly forgivable. The game is arcade through and through, so you don’t need to be bamboozled with spytalk and convoluted plots. But that doesn't mean you're licensed to neglect the agonisingly thin gameplay. It needed beefing up, especially since this is a sequel, but what you're essentially left with is a checkpoint chaser.

Racing (always against the clock) from the beginning of a track to its often miserable end does not a good game make. We suspect this was obvious even during development so, to divert your attention away from the path- following monotony, someone pulled out the "let's make it so difficult people forget how linear it is" card. It is exceptionally difficult, and this isn't counter-balanced by any semblance of reward. Dazzling pyrotechnics, glorious FMV sequences and triumphant fanfares are sadly lacking, especially as these would be the only things worth suffering Spyhunter 2 for.

Granted, there's an amazing sense of speed to your super-duper spy car, and when you're whipping it along a frosted mountain pass with explosions all around, you could be forgiven for thinking you're in a different game. Unfortunately, although your car is exceptionally fast, it appears to be made of pie tins. The slightest breeze or insect hitting the windshield and it explodes or transforms into a lesser vehicle. The car turns into a bike, the boat into a hydrofoil. The first time the small transformation sequence kicks in it's actually rather impressive, but you'll soon find out that you might just as well have transformed into sausage for all the good it does you. The primary vehicles have dodgy targeting systems at best, but the smaller craft are belly up before they've begun. And then what? Well, even if you're at the very outset of a mission, or nearing its climax, it's straight back to the start to do it all over again.

In its meagre defence (it's guilty, we know that, but let's hear it out), it's certainly not the ugliest set of wheels in the lot. Explosions pirouette and shoot off into the sky satisfyingly, missiles snake their way through water before kicking up a huge spray, and the graphics engine is fairly competent. The handling is just the right of side of average, and for the most fleeting of bubblegum moments it's not bad.

The rest of the time though, it's the Inspector Clouseau of spies; a real, bumbling Maureen from Driving School excuse of a game.

Games have changed since we all shoved ten pence pieces into slots way back when, yet arcade updates on the whole never seem capable of letting go of the apron strings. Imagine, just for a second, that Spyhunter 2 had been done like Grand Theft Auto III instead. Good, eh? We shall say no more on the subject.

1. Ace sense of speed
2. Amazingly animated explosions
3. Handling is okay

1. Gameplay too dull
2. Exceptionally hard in parts
3. Far too linear

Power
The framerate is smooth and there's no pop-up, but textures and AI are completely lacking.

Style
If this were Bond it'd be George Lazenby. It's not cool or stylish driving a combustible shoebox.

Immersion
It keeps you from enjoying it as if it were waving a big pointy stick. Ten minutes and you'll be sighing.

Lifespan
Very long, That's not intentional though, it's just so damned hard to complete. It's a nightmare.

Summary
A no-fills blaster on wheels. It may appeal to a few, but it has no staying power for people wanting any substance.