INTRO

Today I will be reviewing a classic FPS everyone loves: Goldeneye 007. Goldeneye was one of the first FPS on Nintendo 64 and the first in the 3D Bond game series. It is considered by many to be one of the greatest first person shooters ever and some even compare it to Halo 2. Hey, want to know a strange fact about the game? Shigeru Miyamoto was one of the producers for the game. Anyways, the game was developed by Rareware and based on the 1995 Bond movie Goldeneye. Who would have guessed . This is just one of those games that HAS to be included in revolution's downloads. If not then at least remade with extra stuff for the DS. And if it isn't, I still have that N64 classic in my good ol' 64. If my mom had realized that I was playing that game over at a friend's house when I was 6 or 7 (it was off limits in my house) then she would have never let me go over there again. Anyways, and now onto the real review.

Story (may contain spoilers)

I haven't seen the movie but I have just played the game. However I am 100% sure the story is the same as the movie. Anyways, it starts out when Bond and 006 have to infiltrate a USSR military base to blow up some gas tanks containing this deadly poisonous gas. When escaping, 006 is captured and Bond has to escape himself. After completing the mission, your next mission is to infiltrate another base to discover some secret plans or something. I'm sorry; I really don't remember the story to well. It's not like SM64 where it was a simple story. Goldeneye's story is much more complex then the previous game I reviewed. I really can't cover this part too well. Just keep in mind that it's a great story to the game.  If you dig for sweet in-game story, you're in for a treat. Story: 9/10

Gameplay

 Even though the style of gameplay like this is very common in today's FPS; this type of FPS wasn't really too common back then. The gameplay may seem similar to other FPS from that time. (EX: DOOM) However, once you get into, you will see this is not ordinary FPS from that time. Instead of just running through levels trying to escape, you have to complete objectives from the level. If you leave the building or area without completing an objective, you fail the mission. So you can't just run through without having to explore and complete what you have to do. This element ironically wasn't in future Bond games. You can't leave levels in the current James Bond games. Another thing that was new about the gameplay were gadgets. You have to use Q's gadgets to help you complete certain objectives. For example, Q might give you a remote time bomb to blow up a chopper. (That was in one level actually) Overall, the gameplay is what makes it a solid FPS. It's just a lot of fun and you can even find games that still rip off its form of gameplay today. Gameplay: 9.6/10

Replay Value

The game has a great replay value. The main thing in the replay value could be considered the game's multiplayer. I will review later in this same review. Another main thing that gives it good replay value is it's difficultly levels. The difficulty levels are agent, secret agent, and 00 agent. Each level is quite different from each other. I would classify it as this from agent to 00 agent: Medium/hard, hard, and Very Hard. Not only are there more enemies that are even harder to beat, but there are also more objectives too. And even on Agent mode, you will have difficulty. If you don't get discouraged, you will want to beat all three modes. All I can say is good luck. You are going to have to be a VERY skillful player. I can't even get buy level one on 00 agent mode . Replay value 9/10

GRAPHICS

Finally, something all you casual gamers out there care about: The graphics. First of all, I have to say that the levels are designed very nicely. The walls are not bland and stuff acts like it's in a real environment. If you punch glass, it will break. If you shoot a monitor, it will explode. If you shoot a desk, it will move around as if it was shot. If you shoot the body armor, it will be ruined. The levels are fairly decent sized and quite big in multiple areas. And even though some outdoor levels have a little bit of fog, its not nearly as bad as some games (coughcoughsuperman64cough) and really doesn't get in your way. The characters may look a little blocky but that doesn't ruin the game. Overall, the graphics are nicely animated but the framerate is kind of slow. Graphics 7.5/10

Audio

Its Bond sounds. It would be enough said for most people but for those who want detailed info, OK. You first hear this shocking intro at the beginning and then see the standard bond opening after the Nintendo and Rareware logos disappear. And they got it perfect. There are several musical scores in the game and they aren't repetitive, at least not in my opinion. The sound effects sound really detailed and nicely done. There isn't any real voice acting but that doesn't make too much of a difference. SFX such as gunshots sound great and clear. Plus when you shoot a guy, they make appropriate noises when they are shot. The sound effects have great detail and sound like they should in every FPS. Audio 8/10

Multiplayer

The multiplayer in the game is one of the best N64 multiplayers you will see in a 64 game. It's a lot of fun and puts you in environments from your choice. Plus you can actually choose the settings you want rather than just throwing you in the middle of a course. If you like to blow each other up, select rockets. If you like to be sneaky, select Sniper Rifles. You can even use guns that appeared in just bond movies only. And you can select your character from a variety of different bond characters.  Oh and here is a tip, play with several people. I hope that this game will go online if you can download it from Wii's virtual console service. Multiplayer 10/10

Closing

Goldeneye is one of the best FPS out there. And it hasn't been remade onto the DS either. The only way to get it is to actually buy the original cartridge. They aren't really too hard to find if you look in the right way. Look on online stores such as eBay or check your local EB games or Gamestop. This is a must play game for FPS fans everywhere.

Written By: WillBillXP
Date Submitted: February 12th, 2007

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