Cobra Commander
04-02-2004, 07:55 PM
James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing
Most of us should remember the be all end all of Bond games which made its debute back on the N64, Goldeneye. It was a new era of gaming. It was one of the best first-person shooters to ever hit the market. It seemed that everyone was playing it back in its day, and for good reason. It was unlike any FPS that the N64 had. Since the creative team behind Goldeneye failed to get the licence for a sequel they put their talent into Perfect Dark, which was another raved about N64 title.
Through the years other companies have released their own versions of James Bond games. The most recent has been Electronic Arts, NightFire, and Agent Under Fire. All have kept to the classic first person style which we thought was a winning formula. Well that was until EA decided it was time for a change, and what a great one it was!
Enter James Bond, the worlds most famous 00 agent. Never has our British hero looked so good in 3-D. Not only does he look good, but he sounds even better. EA went all out on this one, actually giving the game a budget simular to that of a movie. Granted it wasnt nearly as big as a movies budget but with what EA put on table it paved the way for the talents of Pierce Brosnan (James Bond), Shannon Elizabeth (Serena St. Germaine), Willem Defoe (Nikolai Diavolo), Heidi Klum (Katya Nadanova), Misaki Ito (Miss Nagai), Richard Kiel (Jaws), John Cleese (Q) and Dame Judi Dench (M) making their big to small screen transition - with great style. The EA character artists have captured the best likenesses of the actors to date, with stunning accuracy and fantastic animation. The experience hasn't been cut short with the digital recreation of the characters alone, as all of the cast also provided extensive voice over work for their characters. To put it simply, this is the Bond movie for 2004.
Without giving too much information and plot-lines away, the game opens like the most recent Bond films. Stuck in the middle of the action the game feels more like a movie then a video game. Many a time I have had to remind myself that its not a movie and I have full control in this beautifully rendered game. While this game is on every platform I only own the best version. Yes thats right, Gamecube. Sure we can argue what platform is better but when all is said and done, I still find Gamecubes graphics much more beautiful to look at. The controls came with ease, and I have yet to run into a situation where the controls don't do what I want them to in game.
The latest serving of Bond has it all. Cars, girls, bikes, girls, guns, girls, gadgets, helicopters oh and lest we forget.....girls. Heidi Klum and Shannon Elizabeth have never looked so beautiful, well in a game anyway.
Having such beautiful women only adds to you believing that you are in the Bond world. It seems that there is a little bit of everything in this game. From races to chases, espionage to run in and shoot everyone, to hand to hand combat, its a game that has brought new life into, what some might say, repetitave game. After having so many FPS titles under Bonds belt, it was only time before he went the way of Splinter Cell, Resident Evil, and Lara Croft. But there are people who are afraid of change. Trust me, when you play this game, those fears will grow into a fantastic and childish grin from happiness and delight.
Anyone who knows about Bond, knows about the gadgets that appear is every flick. From underwater cars to laser watches its all about the gadgets! Well the latest Bond brings the best of the best. From the cloaking Porsche Cayenne Turbo to my personal favorite the Q-rappel gun, we are treated to a rich and wonderous world of spy gear.
Not only is there two cars to drive on various levels, but there is also a killer missle packing bike. I personally prefer the bike as I love to slide underneith obsticles like my favorite Bond, Sean Connery.
Heres a list of some of the cool toys you get to play with as Bond, James Bond.
Q Rappel: Device used to rappel up and down steep walls.
Q Spider: Device used to scout out ahead with a few extra features as well.
Nano Suit: A self cloaking device just like the ones on the cars.
Sleeper Dart: Dont want to kill anyone? Then this is the best thing for you.
Coin Grenades: Various types of grenades including Explosive, Strobe, and EMP.
Thermovision: Contact lenses allow you to see heat signatures.
Network Tap: Special darts that access certain kinds of technological equipment.
RC Car: (Driving Missions Only) Gets into tight places or where the front door is not an option.
Vehicles: Aston Martin V12 Vanquish, Porsche Cayenne Turbo, and the Triumph Dayton
So Bond has his toys but what else does he have at his disposal? Basic hand to hand moves can be used to fend off attackers if ammo is running short, or if stealth is the only way to go. Bond also is able to do the famous "Wall Hug" which helps when checking out whats around the corner, or for needing cover while in a fire fight. Our hero also has a keen sense of things he can use to his advantage. Enter the Bond Sense. When used it slows the world down to a crawl and alerts Bond of anything "special" in the area. Things that can be used, or shot which will help our favorite 00 agent in his missions.
The targeting is one of the better ones I have come across. When at enemy is locked onto, you can then use the C stick (Nintendo version) to control a red dot for even more effective aiming. Well at least I think it adds to the lock on experience.
At the end of every level we get a results screen, to show us just how well we did. Each score per catagory gives us a certain amount of points towards earning a medal, whether its Brinze, Silver, Gold or the best Platinum. Points are awarded by the following conditions.
Bond Moments: Each mission has opportunities for Bond to use his devine 00 senses and come up with ways to be unique with problem solving.
Enemies Subdued: How many enemies have been subdued.
Weapon Accuracy: How many bullets hit the mark.
Weapon Efficiency: Number of rounds used compaired to targets dispatched.
Mission Duration: Each mission has a target time which will be displayed here. Much like the Goldeneye version.
Difficulty Modifier: Play on a harder difficulty and get a higher score multiplier.
Multiplayer also comes back with some great new, and some old options to play with your friends. What is a great added feature is the co-operative mode.
Cooperative: Two agents fight through a mission.
Race: Co-op style mission where a team is judged on how quickly you complete the task at hand.
Scramble: You pick on what gets scored on and compete against a friend.
Arena: Upto four can battle in a free-for-all. But look out for Jaws!
So now that we have dealt with the over-all aspects of the game lets give it some scores.
Visuals: 7.8 / 10 - No complaints at all here. The great graphics you would expect from the GC, but nothing in the way of awe.
Controls: 7.4 / 10 - While the controls are almost prefect the never ending, "Camera needs work" falls into play here.
Sound: 9.3 / 10 - The sound is par to most games in this genre, but what is beyond par is the great talent and the enthusiasm of all involved, well on the exception of Pierce Brosnan. He seems to have a bored expression.
Gameplay: 8.6 / 10 - The single player and the multiplayer games will keep bringing you back for more. Also the medals will leave you wanting to better your current score and the hidden extras are worth the extra time involved, and the swearing you will mutter while trying to get them.
Replay Value - 9.9 / 10 - Reason for such a high score of course is the cheats and unlockable features. The game will make you come back for more to earn that Gold or Platinum scores.
Overall Score - 8.9 / 10 - This game has something for everyone. The levels are well designed, and the multiplayer options let you enjoy this great game with a friend. I highly suggest anyone be it fans, or just someone looking for a good game to pick this one up. I don't think you will be disappointed.
Most of us should remember the be all end all of Bond games which made its debute back on the N64, Goldeneye. It was a new era of gaming. It was one of the best first-person shooters to ever hit the market. It seemed that everyone was playing it back in its day, and for good reason. It was unlike any FPS that the N64 had. Since the creative team behind Goldeneye failed to get the licence for a sequel they put their talent into Perfect Dark, which was another raved about N64 title.
Through the years other companies have released their own versions of James Bond games. The most recent has been Electronic Arts, NightFire, and Agent Under Fire. All have kept to the classic first person style which we thought was a winning formula. Well that was until EA decided it was time for a change, and what a great one it was!
Enter James Bond, the worlds most famous 00 agent. Never has our British hero looked so good in 3-D. Not only does he look good, but he sounds even better. EA went all out on this one, actually giving the game a budget simular to that of a movie. Granted it wasnt nearly as big as a movies budget but with what EA put on table it paved the way for the talents of Pierce Brosnan (James Bond), Shannon Elizabeth (Serena St. Germaine), Willem Defoe (Nikolai Diavolo), Heidi Klum (Katya Nadanova), Misaki Ito (Miss Nagai), Richard Kiel (Jaws), John Cleese (Q) and Dame Judi Dench (M) making their big to small screen transition - with great style. The EA character artists have captured the best likenesses of the actors to date, with stunning accuracy and fantastic animation. The experience hasn't been cut short with the digital recreation of the characters alone, as all of the cast also provided extensive voice over work for their characters. To put it simply, this is the Bond movie for 2004.
Without giving too much information and plot-lines away, the game opens like the most recent Bond films. Stuck in the middle of the action the game feels more like a movie then a video game. Many a time I have had to remind myself that its not a movie and I have full control in this beautifully rendered game. While this game is on every platform I only own the best version. Yes thats right, Gamecube. Sure we can argue what platform is better but when all is said and done, I still find Gamecubes graphics much more beautiful to look at. The controls came with ease, and I have yet to run into a situation where the controls don't do what I want them to in game.
The latest serving of Bond has it all. Cars, girls, bikes, girls, guns, girls, gadgets, helicopters oh and lest we forget.....girls. Heidi Klum and Shannon Elizabeth have never looked so beautiful, well in a game anyway.
Having such beautiful women only adds to you believing that you are in the Bond world. It seems that there is a little bit of everything in this game. From races to chases, espionage to run in and shoot everyone, to hand to hand combat, its a game that has brought new life into, what some might say, repetitave game. After having so many FPS titles under Bonds belt, it was only time before he went the way of Splinter Cell, Resident Evil, and Lara Croft. But there are people who are afraid of change. Trust me, when you play this game, those fears will grow into a fantastic and childish grin from happiness and delight.
Anyone who knows about Bond, knows about the gadgets that appear is every flick. From underwater cars to laser watches its all about the gadgets! Well the latest Bond brings the best of the best. From the cloaking Porsche Cayenne Turbo to my personal favorite the Q-rappel gun, we are treated to a rich and wonderous world of spy gear.
Not only is there two cars to drive on various levels, but there is also a killer missle packing bike. I personally prefer the bike as I love to slide underneith obsticles like my favorite Bond, Sean Connery.
Heres a list of some of the cool toys you get to play with as Bond, James Bond.
Q Rappel: Device used to rappel up and down steep walls.
Q Spider: Device used to scout out ahead with a few extra features as well.
Nano Suit: A self cloaking device just like the ones on the cars.
Sleeper Dart: Dont want to kill anyone? Then this is the best thing for you.
Coin Grenades: Various types of grenades including Explosive, Strobe, and EMP.
Thermovision: Contact lenses allow you to see heat signatures.
Network Tap: Special darts that access certain kinds of technological equipment.
RC Car: (Driving Missions Only) Gets into tight places or where the front door is not an option.
Vehicles: Aston Martin V12 Vanquish, Porsche Cayenne Turbo, and the Triumph Dayton
So Bond has his toys but what else does he have at his disposal? Basic hand to hand moves can be used to fend off attackers if ammo is running short, or if stealth is the only way to go. Bond also is able to do the famous "Wall Hug" which helps when checking out whats around the corner, or for needing cover while in a fire fight. Our hero also has a keen sense of things he can use to his advantage. Enter the Bond Sense. When used it slows the world down to a crawl and alerts Bond of anything "special" in the area. Things that can be used, or shot which will help our favorite 00 agent in his missions.
The targeting is one of the better ones I have come across. When at enemy is locked onto, you can then use the C stick (Nintendo version) to control a red dot for even more effective aiming. Well at least I think it adds to the lock on experience.
At the end of every level we get a results screen, to show us just how well we did. Each score per catagory gives us a certain amount of points towards earning a medal, whether its Brinze, Silver, Gold or the best Platinum. Points are awarded by the following conditions.
Bond Moments: Each mission has opportunities for Bond to use his devine 00 senses and come up with ways to be unique with problem solving.
Enemies Subdued: How many enemies have been subdued.
Weapon Accuracy: How many bullets hit the mark.
Weapon Efficiency: Number of rounds used compaired to targets dispatched.
Mission Duration: Each mission has a target time which will be displayed here. Much like the Goldeneye version.
Difficulty Modifier: Play on a harder difficulty and get a higher score multiplier.
Multiplayer also comes back with some great new, and some old options to play with your friends. What is a great added feature is the co-operative mode.
Cooperative: Two agents fight through a mission.
Race: Co-op style mission where a team is judged on how quickly you complete the task at hand.
Scramble: You pick on what gets scored on and compete against a friend.
Arena: Upto four can battle in a free-for-all. But look out for Jaws!
So now that we have dealt with the over-all aspects of the game lets give it some scores.
Visuals: 7.8 / 10 - No complaints at all here. The great graphics you would expect from the GC, but nothing in the way of awe.
Controls: 7.4 / 10 - While the controls are almost prefect the never ending, "Camera needs work" falls into play here.
Sound: 9.3 / 10 - The sound is par to most games in this genre, but what is beyond par is the great talent and the enthusiasm of all involved, well on the exception of Pierce Brosnan. He seems to have a bored expression.
Gameplay: 8.6 / 10 - The single player and the multiplayer games will keep bringing you back for more. Also the medals will leave you wanting to better your current score and the hidden extras are worth the extra time involved, and the swearing you will mutter while trying to get them.
Replay Value - 9.9 / 10 - Reason for such a high score of course is the cheats and unlockable features. The game will make you come back for more to earn that Gold or Platinum scores.
Overall Score - 8.9 / 10 - This game has something for everyone. The levels are well designed, and the multiplayer options let you enjoy this great game with a friend. I highly suggest anyone be it fans, or just someone looking for a good game to pick this one up. I don't think you will be disappointed.