Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever picks up the mantle of its predecessor by delivering a straightforward yet satisfying first-person shooter experience on the Game Boy Advance. You toggle between two protagonists—ex-FBI agent Ecks and former NSA operative Sever—each armed with a unique arsenal of firearms and spy gadgets. The game’s 24 missions are spread across international locales, ranging from high-security labs to bustling urban environments, and they consistently challenge you to adapt your approach based on your character’s strengths.

The level design strikes a balance between linear run-and-gun corridors and more open areas that encourage tactical planning. While most stages funnel you along predetermined paths, cleverly placed vents, security cameras, and locked doors nudge you toward using Sever’s EMP device or Ecks’s lockpick tool. This interplay of shooting and gadgetry elevates routine firefights into mini-puzzles, breaking up the pace and rewarding players who take a moment to scout their surroundings.

On top of the solo campaigns, Ballistic offers two-player cooperative mode, allowing you to team up as both Ecks and Sever to tackle missions together. The seamless drop-in/drop-out co-op enhances the replay value and fosters strategic teamwork, especially when players divide responsibilities—one clearing rooms while the other hacks systems. For a more competitive edge, the cartridge also supports up to four players in Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, and other classic multiplayer modes, though you’ll need multiple GBA units and link cables to unleash its full potential.

Graphics

Graphically, Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever leverages the GBA’s limited horsepower to deliver surprisingly detailed environments and character sprites. Textures are relatively crisp for the platform, with metallic corridors gleaming under simulated fluorescent lights and outdoor vistas sporting layered backgrounds to evoke depth. Although you won’t see high-resolution models or dynamic lighting, the art direction smartly uses contrasting colors and simple shading to separate enemies from the scenery.

Character and enemy animations are smooth, especially during movement and reload sequences, giving life to the protagonists and their antagonists. Explosion effects and muzzle flashes pop on screen without a dramatic drop in frame rate, and the use of particle effects for sparks or smoke lends a cinematic touch. The game occasionally dips in performance when too many AI or effects converge, but these slowdowns are brief and rarely disrupt the firefights.

Levels brim with detail, from cluttered office desks and computer terminals to crates that suggest illicit arms shipments hidden in nondescript warehouses. Interactive elements—like consoles you must hack or destructible crates—flash with visual cues, keeping the action intuitive. While the hardware constraints limit overall graphical fidelity, Ballistic’s polished sprite work and clever use of color palettes deliver an engaging visual package on a handheld device.

Story

In terms of narrative, Ballistic picks up directly after the first game’s events, with former adversaries Ecks and Sever reluctantly joining forces to dismantle a global weapons cartel. This uneasy alliance generates occasional tension in dialogue, as both characters bring conflicting loyalties and skill sets to the table. The plot unfolds primarily through text briefings and in-mission radio chatter, which—though sparse—conveys the stakes and keeps players motivated to press forward.

While the story doesn’t reinvent the spy-thriller genre, it consistently delivers enough twists to sustain interest over 24 missions. Brief cutscenes bookend mission clusters, providing glimpses of shadowy cartel bosses and hidden agendas. Voice samples are used judiciously to underscore key moments, such as the click of a door unlocking or the crackle of enemy radio traffic, enhancing the atmosphere without overwhelming the GBA’s limited audio channels.

Character development remains minimal—after all, the focus lies on the action—but Ecks and Sever exhibit distinct personalities through their on-screen banter. Sever’s steely professionalism contrasts nicely with Ecks’s more brash, by-the-book attitude, and this dynamic helps the narrative feel more personal. Though the story ultimately follows a familiar “stop the bad guys” arc, it succeeds in weaving gameplay objectives into a coherent mission structure with adequate context.

Overall Experience

Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever stands out as a competent shooter on the Game Boy Advance, offering a robust selection of missions, varied weaponry, and spy-themed gadgets that prevent monotony. The core gameplay loop—clear rooms, solve simple environmental puzzles, and progress toward mission objectives—remains engaging throughout, especially for players who enjoy balancing run-and-gun action with stealthy gadget use.

The inclusion of cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes significantly extends the game’s lifespan, though practical limitations (link cables and multiple GBAs) may restrict access for some. Nevertheless, the solo campaign alone provides several hours of solid entertainment, anchored by responsive controls, tight level design, and enough challenge to keep seasoned FPS fans on their toes.

Ultimately, Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever delivers a well-rounded package that will appeal to handheld gamers craving console-style action. While it doesn’t break new ground in storytelling or visuals, it maximizes the GBA’s capabilities to deliver an engaging, globe-trotting shooter. If you’re seeking an accessible yet varied FPS experience in your pocket—with cooperative play as an added bonus—Ballistic is a worthy addition to your collection.

Retro Replay Score

7.5/10