> The Dreamcast's success in America has increased the probability that publishers will localize games that usually remain in Japan.  Thanks to UFO Interactive, great games like Seventh Cross and I-Spy (aka Espion-age-nts) will be enjoyed by American gamers too.  In the story of I-Spy, corporations have overthrown the government in an effort to rule the world.  They use spy organizations to gather information in order to maintain power.  You play the "Boss" of Blitzstrahl (German for lightning-bolt), the leading group of industrial spies.

     > As the boss of Blitzstrahl, you're given a wide range of responsibilities including the selection of team missions, planning missions, ordering agents in action, and using the spoils to upgrade your team.  Your four member team (selected from seven) must execute ten challenging missions.  Each agent has his/her own personalities and special skills.  Experience points are earned and can be distributed into twelve categories that vary depending on the character.

     > It's important to act quickly once the mission begins since there is usually a time limit.  As you can see from the screen shots, there are four action windows to contend with -- one for each member.  The large window is for the current member under direct control while the other three are used to monitor the other members.  You give orders and the spies carry them out using health and spy points.  Health points are obvious while spy points are used for special actions like picking a lock or hacking a computer.  It's your job to decide which member (based on his/her abilities) is best suited to successfully carry out each portion of the mission.

     > Much like Seventh Cross, I expect that I-Spy will not be for everyone.  The graphics are first generation, yet the gameplay is fresh.  Hopefully that translates into a successful US debut.  Forget about importing though because it's just too complicated.  I'll have a full review upon release.