GENRE
	Action Brawler
	DEVELOPER
	Bionic Games
	PUBLISHER
	Capcom
	NUMBER OF PLAYERS
	1-2
	WI-FI ENHANCED
	No
	DS COMPATIBLE
	No
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Nintendojo was provided a copy of this game for review by a third party, though that does not affect our recommendation. For every review, Nintendojo uses a standard scoring criteria.

What is Spyborgs? Or, more accurately, what are Spyborgs? Spyborgs are a group of cybernetically-enhanced humans who defend America against its enemies and, in the last few years, function as the nation's primary line of military power. The story of the game unfolds both in the introductory and expository cut-scenes, and in various tapes and television programs unlocked throughout the game. Spyborgs is at its heart a 3D brawler, somewhat reminiscent of those ancient standbys like Double Dragon and Renegade, but on a 3D plane.

Spyborgs was originally announced in 2008 as Capcom's blockbuster Wii exclusive. With the unfortunately poor sales of the company's previous Wii-only adventure, Zack and Wiki: The Quest For Barbaros' Treasure, the game was hyped as one that Wii owners could enjoy and that would have a broader appeal than the company's previous Wii exclusive. After some negative feedback regarding an early build of the game, Capcom arranged for a creative overhaul of Spyborgs, which resulted in the version of the game that arrived at retail.

After choosing one of the main heroes, the player is set against a group of cybernetic opponents in rapid succession. Each new type is introduced with a short cinematic, along with a quick description of abilities. There is a decent variety of encounters, although some enemies have similar characteristics to one another. After the end of a level, the Spyborgs can power themselves up with the red energy earned in the level, each character is leveled-up individually.

The difficulty is actually somewhat high for a game that seems to be targeting players in between ten and twenty years of age. The enemies tend to overwhelm the player(s) at times, which is a smart strategy for the bad guys, but not quite as fun for a player when there are constant attacks that have to be blocked and no way to strike back without getting hit. Also, the lack of checkpoints is incredibly frustrating. If both Spyborgs are eliminated by the enemy, the player has to start the level over completely. This isn't a problem in the shorter stages, but in longer ones it can be infuriating.

Basic brawling comes from two standard attacks mapped to the B and C buttons, while the Z button blocks and the A button jumps, with motion-based gestures implemented for special double-team supers, although the game has trouble detecting the required motions at times. Other than the supers, the Wii Remote functions are limited to scanning the screen for hidden crates full of power-up items or switches. Despite being a Wii exclusive, Spyborgs doesn't take full advantage of the Wii's capabilities -- the entire game is playable with the Classic Controller as well.

The game also throws a number of references the player's way, including a few pieces of Capcom fan service. Spyborgs' combo-tallying system -- Awesome, Brutal, Crazy, Decent -- is very similar to the scoring system used in Devil May Cry, particularly Devil May Cry 4. Another Easter egg is the hidden red crates throughout the levels, which sport the Reaverbot symbol from MegaMan Legends and the Zero and ZX series, both of which also happen to feature cybernetic life-forms.

Co-op play for two players is a great addition, and can extend enjoyment of the game. Having a human ally is actually a big asset, as the two players can coordinate strategy with one another. The AI-controlled partner often makes unfathomable judgment calls, such as completely abandoning a brawl when the player character moves more than five feet away, or inexplicably just standing there while the player is fighting a lone enemy or group of enemies by himself.

To sum up, Spyborgs isn't an experiment that went completely wrong, but it doesn't do a lot to distinguish itself. Even on Casual difficulty, most players likely won't breeze through the game, and while there is enough unlockable content to justify multiple playthroughs, one will likely have to wonder if another run through the game is really worth the time. Still, it's not so much that Spyborgs is bad -- just incredibly generic.

7.0/10