This is the first Bond game I ever owned. Needless to say, I'm glad I'm own it. This game succeeds in actually making you feel like you're playing a Bond movie (complete with opening sung movie). It's also in third person as opposed to the last several games by EA.
Graphics
Pierce Brosnan's face looks very realistic. The same can be said for the other major characters such as Heidi Klum and Shannon Elizabeth. All of the levels are very well designed, you will never feel that a level is too repetitive in design. The framerate has never stuttered throughout the game either. The vehicles' graphics seem to have a strong semblance with Need for Speed: Underground. I'm guessing that they use the same engine since you really get a sense of speed when you drive a motocyle on a later level. One thing I don't like are the cutscenes, somehow the characters don't look right in those. They should had just stuck with ingame graphics for the cutscenes.
9/10
![[http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2003/reviews/914851_20031218_screen001.jpg]](http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2003/reviews/914851_20031218_screen001.jpg "http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2003/reviews/914851_20031218_screen001.jpg")
![[http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2003/screen1/914851_20030709_screen002.jpg]](http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2003/screen1/914851_20030709_screen002.jpg "http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2003/screen1/914851_20030709_screen002.jpg")
![[http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2003/screen0/914851_20031107_screen004.jpg]](http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2003/screen0/914851_20031107_screen004.jpg "http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2003/screen0/914851_20031107_screen004.jpg")
Sounds
Fantastic since they're actually using Pierce Brosnan's voice and other celebrities. The enemies do get kind of annoying since they repeat alot of phrases, and their voices are similar. Each of the guns have its own sound effect, ergo, making it very distinguishable from the rest. The music feels like it is lifted from a Bond movie. It consists of some techno, but mostly orchestration like music. Of course the Bond theme is here too...
9/10
Gameplay
Basically there is two gameplay modes. One is the third person view and the other is arcade driving base. The third person mode plays out kind of like a game like Killswitch or Windback. Basically there's an auto targeting system, and you can pop out of corners to shoot enemies. Unfortunately, the targeting system is flawed in the sense that it's hard to target enemies who are too close to you. There is also a hand to hand combat system too. Although it's nothing too fancy. Gadgets ranges from coin grenades to little robot spiders that can be used to kill or scout enemies. Stealth will come into play for alot of missions, but I like the fact that it's optional. I do strongly exhort to use it when you can as going gun blazing can get you killed quite quickly. The enemy's AI is pretty good. They will often use cover and sometimes fire blindly at you. If you hide too long behind a wall or container, they will lob a grenade or rush you. Enemies do annoying spawn out of nowhere sometimes though. This becomes evident once you start using the Q-spider to scout ahead.
The story is the typical mad man wants to rule the world. The story is unfortunately, forgettable as opposed to the movies as it doesn't seem really coherent. The story could had just used two Bond girls instead of three. Then again, you watch and play James Bond only for the action right?
The driving is very arcadey. It's pretty fun since it uses the Need for Speed: Underground engine. You get to drive a motocycle, tank, and car. They're outfitted with weapons such as machine guns, missiles, etc.
Throughout the game are Bond moments. These are usually special events trigger by meeting a certain criteria such as blowing up a barrel to knock out enemies or jumping on to roofs using a motocycle. Do note that this game is quite hard. It's easy at first, but it gets much tougher midway through.
There is also a multiplayer. There's a coop (playable online) and 4 player death match. Although I haven't really played any of them as I don't have anyone to play with.
8/10
Replay Value
You'll spend quite a lot of time trying to get Platinums and Golds if you type of gamer who wants to have Everything. I won't bother getting Platinums since getting Golds were tough enough. The multiplayer will definitely add in some replay value too.
8/10
I reccomend this game if you're a fan of James Bond movies. Even if you're not, it's still a compelling game to play. I personally found the driving missions to be the best.
8.5/10
Graphics
Pierce Brosnan's face looks very realistic. The same can be said for the other major characters such as Heidi Klum and Shannon Elizabeth. All of the levels are very well designed, you will never feel that a level is too repetitive in design. The framerate has never stuttered throughout the game either. The vehicles' graphics seem to have a strong semblance with Need for Speed: Underground. I'm guessing that they use the same engine since you really get a sense of speed when you drive a motocyle on a later level. One thing I don't like are the cutscenes, somehow the characters don't look right in those. They should had just stuck with ingame graphics for the cutscenes.
9/10
Sounds
Fantastic since they're actually using Pierce Brosnan's voice and other celebrities. The enemies do get kind of annoying since they repeat alot of phrases, and their voices are similar. Each of the guns have its own sound effect, ergo, making it very distinguishable from the rest. The music feels like it is lifted from a Bond movie. It consists of some techno, but mostly orchestration like music. Of course the Bond theme is here too...
9/10
Gameplay
Basically there is two gameplay modes. One is the third person view and the other is arcade driving base. The third person mode plays out kind of like a game like Killswitch or Windback. Basically there's an auto targeting system, and you can pop out of corners to shoot enemies. Unfortunately, the targeting system is flawed in the sense that it's hard to target enemies who are too close to you. There is also a hand to hand combat system too. Although it's nothing too fancy. Gadgets ranges from coin grenades to little robot spiders that can be used to kill or scout enemies. Stealth will come into play for alot of missions, but I like the fact that it's optional. I do strongly exhort to use it when you can as going gun blazing can get you killed quite quickly. The enemy's AI is pretty good. They will often use cover and sometimes fire blindly at you. If you hide too long behind a wall or container, they will lob a grenade or rush you. Enemies do annoying spawn out of nowhere sometimes though. This becomes evident once you start using the Q-spider to scout ahead.
The story is the typical mad man wants to rule the world. The story is unfortunately, forgettable as opposed to the movies as it doesn't seem really coherent. The story could had just used two Bond girls instead of three. Then again, you watch and play James Bond only for the action right?
The driving is very arcadey. It's pretty fun since it uses the Need for Speed: Underground engine. You get to drive a motocycle, tank, and car. They're outfitted with weapons such as machine guns, missiles, etc.
Throughout the game are Bond moments. These are usually special events trigger by meeting a certain criteria such as blowing up a barrel to knock out enemies or jumping on to roofs using a motocycle. Do note that this game is quite hard. It's easy at first, but it gets much tougher midway through.
There is also a multiplayer. There's a coop (playable online) and 4 player death match. Although I haven't really played any of them as I don't have anyone to play with.
8/10
Replay Value
You'll spend quite a lot of time trying to get Platinums and Golds if you type of gamer who wants to have Everything. I won't bother getting Platinums since getting Golds were tough enough. The multiplayer will definitely add in some replay value too.
8/10
I reccomend this game if you're a fan of James Bond movies. Even if you're not, it's still a compelling game to play. I personally found the driving missions to be the best.
8.5/10
