If spy guys (not GameSpies) do one thing well, it’s killing people. But if they do two things well, the other one would probably be waiting silently. A full six months after the Double Agent put a chokehold on consoles, Sam Fisher is finally launching an attack on PlayStation 3. Much like the salt-and-pepper hues in old man Fisher’s hair, this version has a few things for and against it when compared to the other next-gen iteration on Xbox 360.

If you’re just interested in what’s new, then this paragraph is for you (but everyone else, listen closely, too). To start with, Double Agent features a good deal of Sixaxis motion control -- usually coming into play on functions not associated with active gameplay. For example, you’ll tip the controller to shake up the tumblers while lockpicking or to pivot the snake-cam when looking under doors. Mine assembly, bomb diffusing, and email encryption also utilize it.


Is motioning more fun than simple control inputs for such things? That’s debatable, but at least it’s there. I will say it’s defaulted to be deactivated, and the tutorials don’t do you many favors. In fact, the first time I controlled Sam -- while swimming -- it took me about 10 minutes to figure out how to move the controller up and down to get him to submerge and surface. Multiplayer also got a slight shot in the arm with two new maps, Kinsasha and Secret Base. That brings the total up to 10 here, and double figures are always sexier than single digits.

The other differences aren’t as spiffy. I was a little surprised to see that the graphics were actually weaker on PlayStation 3. Maybe it’s because it only goes up to 720p, but I noticed some glitchy collision and instances where the camera crapped the bed. It’s still a fine looking game -- with all the texture-mapped characters and lighting effects your little heart desires -- but I expected some upgrade in visuals, and didn’t get it. I also expected better load times... waiting 10 seconds just to access the save menu? Ugh.

Double Agent is a crock pot as opposed to a microwave: It takes a while to heat up. I can’t say I was excited to go back to the intro level or the prison-break stage, and it’s surprising how rusty my spy legs had become. However, once you land in Shanghai or hop aboard the cruise ship, there is a lot to enjoy. Extensive button-mapping memorization aside, the contextual actions make things easier, and Sam’s world is full of possibilities. You’ll embrace every new stage, and be excited for what you’ll be tackling next. It rarely disappoints.

Having to balance your trust between the "good" and "bad" guys adds a little role-playing to the mix, and makes Double Agent just different enough from its predecessors. It’s tough to keep kissing both sides of the morality butt, but I sure tried. Dramatic instances will require split-second ethical decisions that spike an emotional reaction in the gamer that few games have duplicated. But at the same time, some of the trust factor stuff is a little overstated, and doesn’t need to be watched that closely.


Keeping Double Agent’s multiplayer as good as it was on Xbox Live should be considered an accomplishment. Everything from chat to squads to three-on-three play made it in here. I’m still not so thrilled with the co-op feature on next-gen as opposed to the traditional buddying-up on PS2 and Xbox, especially with no split-screen support. However, Versus mode is nicely done, and the spies are loads of fun to play as -- it’s like finally getting to be my favorite GI Joe character, Snake Eyes.

I’m a little jaded, having a serious case of déjà vu with this game, but rest assured that those of you without an Xbox 360 are in for a treat. Double Agent is pretty darn bad-ass, and has a flurry of water-cooler gaming moments that will make you smile sadistically. It’s nice to have a story tie everything together, too -- especially when you get some leeway to be as bad as you want to be. There aren’t a lot of games like this, on the PS3 in particular, so its fashionable lateness to the party is forgiven. We can’t be mad at ya, Sam. You could easily kill us.