Spyborgs
{{Short description|2009 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
|title = Spyborgs
|image = Spyborgscoverart.png
|developer = Bionic Games
|publisher = Capcom
|director = Lloyd Murphy
Michael Stout
|designer = Mark C. Stuart
|writer = Meghan Heritage
|composer = Clark Crawford
|engine =
|released = {{vgrelease|NA|September 22, 2009{{cite web |url=http://www.gamingunion.net/news/spyborgs-release-date-moved-forward--317.html |title=Spyborgs Release Date Moved Forward |author=Darryl |date=August 12, 2009 |website=Gaming Union |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090814204552/http://www.gamingunion.net/news/spyborgs-release-date-moved-forward--317.html |archivedate=August 14, 2009 |accessdate=September 4, 2019}}|AU|September 24, 2009|EU|September 25, 2009{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/spyborgs-given-september-date |title=Spyborgs given September date |last=Purchese |first=Robert |date=July 20, 2009 |website=Eurogamer |publisher=Gamer Network |accessdate=July 21, 2009 |archive-date=July 25, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090725232351/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/spyborgs-given-september-date |url-status=live }}}}
|genre = Beat 'em up
|modes = Single-player, Multiplayer
|platforms = Wii
}}
Spyborgs is a beat 'em up video game for the Wii developed by American studio Bionic Games and published by Capcom. It was released in September 2009.
Gameplay
Spyborgs sees players controlling a member of a team of cyborg secret agents, each with their own unique abilities, through several levels populated by enemies. The game is designed to be played cooperatively with two players, though the AI will take control of the other character in single player games. Players can also gain experience points to upgrade their character's abilities.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/spyborgs-e3-2009-hands-on-impressions/1100-6211674/ |title=Spyborgs E3 2009 Hands-On Impressions [date mislabeled as "June 5, 2009"] |last=McInnis |first=Shaun |date=June 4, 2009 |website=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |accessdate=September 4, 2019 |archive-date=September 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904032641/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/spyborgs-e3-2009-hands-on-impressions/1100-6211674/ |url-status=live }}
For each level, players can choose two out of the three Spyborgs, which include:
- Clandestine, a quick and nimble female ninja.
- Bouncer, a lumbering but powerful robot.
- Stinger, a soldier with a cybernetic gun arm.{{cite web |url=http://www.kidzworld.com/article/20062-spyborgs-exclusive-character-profile-stinger/ |title=Spyborgs Exclusive Character Profile - Stinger |website=Kidzworld |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090905190148/http://www.kidzworld.com/article/20062-spyborgs-exclusive-character-profile-stinger/ |archivedate=September 5, 2009 |accessdate=September 4, 2019}}
Played using the Wii Remote, motion controls initiate special attacks while the two characters can team up their attacks for additional damage. Alternatively, players can also choose to play with the buttons on the Wii Remote instead.
Plot
{{No plot|date=November 2012}}
Development
Initially announced in June 2008 at Capcom's Captivate event,{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/capcom-announces-spyborgs-for-wii-5012553 |title=Capcom Announces Spyborgs For Wii |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |date=June 3, 2008 |website=Kotaku |publisher=Gizmodo Media Group |accessdate=September 4, 2019 |archive-date=September 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904032639/https://kotaku.com/capcom-announces-spyborgs-for-wii-5012553 |url-status=live }} Spyborgs underwent a major redesign after a lukewarm reception from the gaming press.{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2008/08/05/capcom-spyborgs-undergoing-significant-overhaul/ |title=Capcom: Spyborgs undergoing 'significant overhaul' |last=Nelson |first=Randy |date=August 5, 2008 |website=Engadget (Joystiq) |publisher=Oath Inc. |accessdate=September 4, 2019 |archive-date=August 11, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811233048/https://www.engadget.com/2008/08/05/capcom-spyborgs-undergoing-significant-overhaul/ |url-status=live }} Changes include a shift from bright cartoony graphics reminiscent of Saturday morning cartoon shows,{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/06/03/first-look-spyborgs |title=First Look: Spyborgs |last=Hatfield |first=Daemon |date=June 3, 2008 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |accessdate=September 4, 2019 |archive-date=September 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904032641/https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/06/03/first-look-spyborgs |url-status=live }} to a grittier and more realistic visual look, as well as the removal of minigames which served as parodies of children's toy commercials.{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2009/04/28/capcoms-spyborgs-resurfaces-fresh-video-and-screens/ |title=Capcom's Spyborgs resurfaces, fresh video and screens |last=Mitchell |first=Richard |date=April 28, 2009 |website=Engadget (Joystiq) |publisher=Oath Inc. |accessdate=September 4, 2019 |archive-date=August 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160812015725/https://www.engadget.com/2009/04/28/capcoms-spyborgs-resurfaces-fresh-video-and-screens/ |url-status=live }} The current game also shifted focus from an action-oriented game with superpower-based puzzle elements to a brawler.{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/spyborgs-preview-why-waggle-30998087 |title=Spyborgs Preview: Why Waggle |last=Crecente |first=Brian |date=April 29, 2009 |website=Kotaku |publisher=Gizmodo Media Group |accessdate=September 4, 2019 |archive-date=September 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904032639/https://kotaku.com/spyborgs-preview-why-waggle-30998087 |url-status=live }}
The game was developed in an internal engine designed by Bionic Games, not MT Framework.{{cite web |url=http://www.capcom-unity.com/ask_capcom/go/thread/view/7371/29218645/did-spyborgs-use-the-mt-framework |title=Did Spyborgs use the MT Framework? |last=Svensson |first=Christian |date=July 6, 2012 |website=Ask Capcom |publisher=Capcom |accessdate=April 18, 2016 |archive-date=May 31, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531080224/http://www.capcom-unity.com/ask_capcom/go/thread/view/7371/29218645/did-spyborgs-use-the-mt-framework |url-status=live }}
Bionic Games shut down after Spyborgs was released, making it their only title.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2011-11-01 |title=What Happened To Spyborgs Developer, Bionic Games? |url=https://www.siliconera.com/what-happened-to-spyborgs-developer-bionic-games/ |access-date=2025-01-11 |website=Siliconera |language=en-US}}
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| MC = 66/100{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/spyborgs/critic-reviews/?platform=wii |title=Spyborgs for Wii Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |accessdate=September 4, 2019 |archive-date=January 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190122000523/https://www.metacritic.com/game/wii/spyborgs |url-status=live }}
| 1UP = B−{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/games/wii/spyborgs/ |title=Spyborgs Review |website=1UP.com |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=October 7, 2009 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602135649/http://www.1up.com/games/wii/spyborgs/ |archivedate=June 2, 2016 |accessdate=September 4, 2009}}
| GamePro = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite magazine |url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/212293/spyborgs/ |title=Spyborgs |last=Koehn |first=aaron |date=September 29, 2009 |magazine=GamePro |publisher=GamePro Media |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501014712/http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/212293/spyborgs/ |archivedate=May 1, 2011 |accessdate=September 4, 2019}}
| GT = 5.5/10{{cite web |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/gamereview.php?id=6880 |title=Spyborgs Review |website=GameTrailers |publisher=Viacom |date=October 2, 2009 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100907171331/http://www.gametrailers.com/gamereview.php?id=6880 |archivedate=September 7, 2010 |accessdate=September 4, 2019}}
| NP = 7.5/10{{cite magazine |title=Spyborgs |magazine=Nintendo Power |publisher=Future US |volume=247 |date=November 2009 |page=79}}
| ONM = 80%{{cite web |url=http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/11844/reviews/spyborgs-review/ |title=Spyborgs Review |last=Dutton |first=Fred |date=September 25, 2009 |website=Official Nintendo Magazine |publisher=Future plc |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008192736/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/11844/reviews/spyborgs-review/ |archivedate=October 8, 2014 |accessdate=September 4, 2019}}
| rev1 = 411Mania
| rev2 = Teletext GameCentral
| rev2Score = 5/10{{cite web |url=http://www.teletext.co.uk/gamecentral/features-reviews/007816f6cbf43ed6036e2cbfb6a6d67e/Spyborgs+(Wii).aspx |title=Spyborgs (Wii) |last=Jenkins |first=David |date=September 2009 |website=Teletext GameCentral |publisher=Teletext Ltd. |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090925014738/http://www.teletext.co.uk/gamecentral/features-reviews/007816f6cbf43ed6036e2cbfb6a6d67e/Spyborgs+(Wii).aspx |archivedate=September 25, 2009 |accessdate=September 4, 2019}}
}}
Spyborgs received "average" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. IGN praised the game for its high quality graphics and large amount of polish. Despite this, IGN criticised the title for its punishing difficulty and lack of innovation. Eurogamer criticised the game for being generic.
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References
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