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Developer: Eurocom Entertainment Software
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Genre: FPS
Region: NTSC
Format:
Release Date: 19 Nov 02
User Rating
10 (5 votes) -
- The suave British secret agent is back in the best action game since Goldeneye.
More Screens (5 total)
Overview
Ever since Goldeneye became one of the flagship titles for Nintendo 64, gamers have had much more respect for licensed titles, and the James Bond franchise in particular. Although subsequent installments in the franchise have fallen quite short of Rare's 1997 opus, Electronic Arts seems determined to deliver a game that can sell just as well on its own merits as it can based on the name attached to it. Along with "The Two Towers" and "Harry Potter," James Bond could very well bring an air of respect back to licensed games.
Gameplay
Being a Bond game, the visuals are not the only aspect of the game that have a certain expectation to live up to. Fortunately, Nightfire delivers in the gameplay department as well. While not as lengthy as one might have hoped, what is there provides an excellent balance of espionage, action, and high tech gadgetry. More levels that relied entirely on stealth would have been welcomed, but the variety provided by the missions available is quite good. The use of classic Q gadgets to navigate through the levels or take on enemies helps to round out the experience.
Underlying the solid gameplay experience is a very intuitive and easy to use control scheme. With the default control setup, the shoulder buttons are used for firing and aiming, the analog stick for movement, the face buttons for actions and jumping or crouching, the c-stick for looking and strafing, and the digital d-pad for cycling through weapons and Bond's various technological devices. Bond will also target an enemy's body when the cross hair is near them, and firing allows for a few degrees of inaccuracy.
The mission structure and sequence of events is one of the game's strongest suits. Not only will you have to break into areas, but you'll also have to secure the safety of several hostages. Before the entire mission is through, you'll either have to escape via an automobile, or take down a heavily armed foe. Using the Need for Speed Hot Pursuit 2 engine for the driving sequences, you'll put the pedal to the metal in order to annihilate those pursuing you, while using a few tricks to avoid being apprehended by local authorities. Having alternate methods of attack on those you want to destroy and those you only want to disable is a very nice touch. The driving sequences in also lead into closed arena battles, requiring you to take on ground vehicles and helicopters overheard at the same time. These battles will be instantly familiar to anyone who has played and enjoyed the likes of Twisted Metal Black.
The variety of locales is also a bonus. Paris on New Year's Eve, a snow covered castle, and large corporate building all lead up to an epic battle aboard a space station circling earth, complete with low gravity. The only major faults in the game are the previously mentioned length of the single-player game, and the somewhat lacking enemy AI. Any veteran FPS gamer should be able to complete the game in a relatively short time, and none of the enemies in the game are particularly difficult. In fact, more of the challenges come from avoiding a security system or setting off an alarm.
Luckily those two faults are made up for with a very solid multi-player mode. Playing through the main game unlocks many characters, weapons, maps, and variables to use in multi-player. The arena (a.k.a. death match), team arena, and capture the flag games are all great fun. Other games such as King of the Hill and Demolition can be unlocked by playing the main single player game. Overall, Nightfire has an enjoyable single player game, and a great multi-player mode to help offset the shortness of the former. Should online play be incorporated into future installments, it will only serve to increase the great replay value that is already present.
Graphics
Agent 007 has always had a good balance of style and substance, and the visual presentation of "Nightfire" keeps the tradition in tact. What will become immediately apparent to you after turning your system is how terrific the production values of the game are. An action packed, helicopter to automobile escort shootout serves as the adventure's introduction and tutorial. For the first time, Bond bears the visage of actor Pierce Brosnan, who has portrayed the legendary spy on the silver screen for the past four installments of the long running series. After the initial introductory action sequence, you will even be treated to a full-scale musical opening, just like in the movies. It's quite encouraging to see modern storage mediums and licenses used to their full capacity. One can only hope that with games like GTA Vice City attracting top notch Hollywood talent to give characters a voice and a personality, EA will go the extra mile in the next installment to include Mr. Brosnan's familiar, distinct voice for the dialogue sequences.
Production value aside, the game itself is quite eye catching. Sporting an engine designed by Valve Software (known the world over for the PC mega hit classic "Half-Life"), Nightfire provides an aesthetically pleasing adventure. Well modeled characters, realistic exteriors, intricate interiors, and great special effects are all backed up by a smooth experience that suffers little, if any, frame rate stutters or technical glitches. Particularly impressive are some of the particle effects used in explosions and environmental effects. An early level dubbed "Snow Blind" drops Bond just outside of a castle on a snowy night. The spotlights, snowfall, patrolling guards, and military chopper in the distance will instantly give espionage fans a flashback of Metal Gear Solid.
The smooth graphics are also incorporated into the gameplay schematics. Bond will need to don infrared and night vision capable sunglasses in order to see in the dark, through smoke, or a cloaked enemy. An area where the graphics fall a bit short is the lighting. This is more apparent in the areas that require total stealth. Rather than taking out overhead lights, desk lamps, or hiding in the shadows, you simply need to remain out of the security guards' line of site.
The only other drawbacks to the game's visuals are a hint of aliasing, and some muddled driving levels. A snow mobile shootout sequence lives up the quality of the whole game, but for the most part, the driving sequences lack the visual flare of their first person counterparts. Fortunately, they play just as well.
Fun Factor
With its smooth single player experience and options-laden multiplayer mode, 007 Nightfire delivers a great deal of fun. The incredible production value and use of the license will greatly enhance the enjoyment that fans of the films will receive from this.
The single player game could have been lengthier and provided more of a challenge, but playing through particular missions in order to obtain gold medals or just to experience a particular sequence of events again will provide anyone with several hours of fun. Whether playing against AI bots or with a few friends via split screen, the multiplayer mode will certainly extend the amount of fun anyone can have with this
Overall
Nightfire ultimately delivers a great interactive James Bond experience. The production values and overall quality of the game surpasses the last few iterations, and the gameplay is gradually creeping closer to level that made Goldeneye a classic. Nightfire's few but notable faults do not take away from what is a great Bond game, and a varied and innovative first person shooter.
- Gameplay
8.0 - Graphics
8.0 - Fun Factor
8.0 - Overall
8.0
