i couldn't care less about the writing being dogshit (i skipped most of the cutscenes) or the level design being extremely simple, my main issue with the game is how underwhelming the battle system is. Which is a goddamn shame because from afar you'd think it's complex and hard to master, yet rewarding in the way DMC makes you feel for pulling stylish tricks. Of course the fact all enemy types act the same way and offer no resistance doesn't help. After a while you end up playing the game in auto-pilot and sure, the freestyle element makes the experience pretty fun, but it's mindless fun. There isn't much of a high skill ceiling with either characters, and even bosses all feel like fighting the same opponent (except for the last two on Amelia's route)

Assault Spy ultimately feels like a game made by DMC fans who don't really understand Itsuno's game design philosophy bur rather the surface level, flashy elements of DMC.

Also the game is super short and can be beaten in a few hours (don't forget you're playing the same levels twice), death march and boss rushes are a pretty nice way to extend the experience but I honestly don't see myself replaying this game over and over.

A silly, cute, short character action game that feels really good to play! The story is all fluff, though the world and characters are entertaining. You've got over-the-top villains, clumsy, yet dedicated protagonists, and light jabs at workplace culture. I have to mention the fantastic voice work. It really carries the entire experience. Though I wish for an English dub, as it's hard to read captions in the middle of combat. There's a bit of jank with the enemy AI from time to time, but the combat itself is designed so fluidly, that it wasn't enough to hamper my experience.

I hesitate moving this from shelved to abandoned. Assault Spy (from what I remember) is very well made. It scratched an itch I needed desperately needed when it came out in early access early 2018. However a year later when I found out it went to 1.0, was the same time a little game named Devil May Cry 5 was releasing.

Maybe someday we will return to a dark age where "Action Games (Good)" stop being made, and I return to Assault Spy to finish it. Sadly I hope that day never comes. If an Assault Spy 2 is ever released, I will buy it day one out of penance.