Bond 007: Everything or Nothing
Score: 90% ESRB: Teen Publisher: EA Games Developer: EA/MGM Interactive Media: DVD/1 Players: 1 - 2 Genre: Action
Graphics & Sound: Ever since Goldeneye came out for the N64, it has been hard for any Bond-related game to be released. To me, this is a real shame because some of the later Bond games have been pretty good. Besides, Goldeneye isn't that a good a game to begin with -- face it. Sure the multiplayer element is still one of the best around, but did anyone play the Single-player mode? It wasn't that great. The latest Bond Adventure, Bond 007: Everything or Nothing is the exact opposite of Goldeneye. It manages to craft an exceptional Single-player mode with decent online options. The game still may not meet the foggy, nostalgia-filled memories of some gamers, but there's no pleasing some people. The best way to describe the game's presentation is sexy, and this isn't just because of the game's amazingly accurate digital depictions of Shannon Elizabeth, Heidi Klum and Mya (and Pierce Brosnan for the ladies and guys who swing that way). Graphically this is one of the best looking Bond games yet and is one of the few titles that can silence critics who say the PS2 is running out of graphical steam. Blurry textures have always been a major complaint thrown at the PS2; I know I've pointed that out on numerous occasions. There are still a few areas where you'll find some blur, but the game still sports a nice, crisp look that is hard to find anywhere else on the system. A few nice, atmospheric details are also thrown into the mix, such as flocks of birds scattering when you begin rolling through the jungles of Peru in a tank. This helps to give each of the game's environments some added spice. Since a big part of the game takes part in my hometown of New Orleans, I was amused to see that although a lot of artistic license was taken, the architecture and atmosphere were still there. The driving portion even included some notable landmarks (such as the archway and statue found in Armstrong Park). Animations are smooth and feature little-to-no slowdown. I did run into a few minor graphical glitches, mostly when using the grappling hook, but there's nothing to get worked up over. In a quick note to EA, I don't know what would have to get done in order to make this happen, but you might want to think about releasing the game's title track, 'Everything or Nothing' by Mya as a single. If the current fan base is any indication, there's a market for it. All of the music is brilliant and contains both new tracks with some old familiar Bond themes. I'm also happy to report that the 'Da-da-dada' fanfare is not as overused as it has been in past games. Voice acting is notable for its quality (as are all the special effects), as well as its star power. Not only does the game feature the likenesses of several prominent stars, including Willem Dafoe, John Cleese and Dame Judy Dench, but also their voices. I'd love to take a look at the game's budget.
Gameplay: Bond 007: Everything or Nothing features a plot that is worthy of the Bond franchise. Actually, the plot is probably better than any of the last few Bond movies. The game revolves around the theft of nano-technology by ex-KGB agent Nikolai Diavolo, and Bond has to stop him. As a bit of a wink to Bond fans, Diavolo is an ex-henchman of Max Zorin, who was the villain Christopher Walken played in A View to a Kill. There are a few predictable moments in the plot, as well as some parts where it seems to drag, such Diavolo's droning on about releasing nanotechnology into the swamps of Louisiana to create the ultimate WDM, but the plot is well done. Besides, this is Bond, so you have to take it for what it is. The game's high-production values are backed up with excellent gameplay. Taking a departure from previous Bond games, 007: EoN is a third-person action game. This gives the game a feeling that is similar to the Syphon Filter series or Winback. Though the core gameplay elements involve lots of gunplay, the game also features elements from other games and even introduces a few new ones. Some missions require you to stealthily move around locations while others have you shooting everything in sight. During a firefight, enemies duck for cover and try to out flank you, which helps to showcase the game's impressive AI. This lends a 'smart' component to the game. You can't just run around killing everything, otherwise you'll be dead yourself. Instead you have to think about the cover available to you as well as using your environment to take out large groups of bad guys. At your disposal throughout the game are a variety of firearms such as the P99, SPAS-12 and Desert Eagle. And, what would Bond be without the gadgets and gizmos, like the Q Spider, Grenade Coin and Thermovision. Using your head will sometimes lead to what are known as 'Bond Moments', which are moments in the game where you can pull off moves like in the movies. These range from challenges like guiding yourself through a small gap while falling off a cliff or finding a shortcut during one of the driving levels. Some moments are pulled off just by thinking like Bond, such as stopping in the middle of a mission to give a woman a backrub (I'm not kidding). Pulling off Bond Moments, in addition to meeting score requirements for each level, unlock bonus items like new multiplayer elements and production stills. Driving elements put you behind the wheel of the Porsche Cayenne Turbo, Aston Martin V12 Vanquish, Triumph Daytona 600, as well as a tank and helicopter. The driving portions are really well done, but suffer from a few control issues that I'll touch upon later. In addition to an excellent Single-Player mode, 007:EoN also offers a surprisingly good Multiplayer mode. This certainly isn't the strongest entry in the multiplayer arena and doesn't give you a reason to get your PS2 online if it isn't already, but it is still a worthwhile venture if you have the capabilities. The most interesting of the offered play types is Co-op, which allows you and a friend to play together. These challenges begin with simple door opening puzzles and become more complicated as you continue. A scored version where you not only try to complete mission goals together, but try to get a better score than your partner, is also offered. The game also offers a competitive Arena mode for those who don't get along with others. It would have been nice if the Arena mode allowed more than 2 people at a time. All of the multiplayer games can be played both online and via split-screen.
Difficulty: Without question, this is a pretty hard game; but it's a good, challenging hard. There are a few moments where you'll cry and moan, yet you'll always come back right after the Mission Failed screen. Trust me. Difficulty can be adjusted for each mission. Agent is the default level, while an Easy mode removes all of the secondary objectives and 007 Agent makes things harder. One element I wasn't too wild about, and which contributed to the ramped up difficulty level, was that enemies just appear out of nowhere during some levels. After clearing out the bottom level of the Peru temple area, I sent my spider drone to scout ahead and check on where enemies may be hiding. Upon seeing the coast was clear I proceeded up the steps only to find two guards hiding behind a wall where they hadn't been hiding before. This would also happen in areas I had already been through. Though not a game breaker, it can get frustrating when someone appears behind you in an area that you had just been through.
Game Mechanics: Control presents a small problem in Bond 007: Everything or Nothing. The general interface is good and easy to use (thanks to the in-game tutorial offered in the opening mission), but there is a noticeable lack of polish. Pressing the L1 button brings up a targeting reticule on the closest enemy. When the enemy is far away, this works like a charm, however when at closer range it will sometimes hiccup and not lock-on. The targeting system does feature one rather innovative aspect. In the middle of the targeting area is a red dot that can be moved around using the Right analog stick. This allows you to target hit areas on enemies like their head and arms - which do varying amounts of damage. Aiming this dot isn't necessary, but the additional damage can help you conserve ammo. An alternative aiming method is also offered via Bond Sense. This brings the game into a pseudo bullet-time mode that doesn't pause the action but slows it down a lot. When in this mode, the entire screen reverts to black and white except for a red circle that highlights either enemies or places of interest. Pressing the L1 button while in this mode zooms in on the red circled area and gives you hints on what you can do. Many times following the directions using Bond Sense will lead to Bond Moments. The driving engine found in the game is solid, but the controls leave something to be desired. I didn't have a problem with using the right analog stick to accelerate and decelerate, but it felt like I got more pickup from vehicles when using that than I did using the face buttons. The element I really hated about driving was the use of the Left Analog stick to steer, which is difficult to do when racing though cramped streets. The option of using the D-pad to steer would have been welcomed. Actually, I don't know why it wasn't offered because it only serves the duplicate function of switching weapons, which is already offered on the shoulder buttons. Control issues only hamper, but don't kill the game's overall feel and design. Bond 007: Everything or Nothing is easily one of the best Bond games ever made and something any Bond fan, or action fan, will enjoy.
-Starscream, GameVortex Communications AKA Ricky Tucker
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