Gamers of the N64 Generation have spent the last decade
waxing nostalgic over Goldeneye 007,
the console's premiere first-person shooter. The game not only broke the shoddy
licensed-game tradition, it set a new standard for cinematic-style gaming and
immersive multiplayer experiences.
In the age of HD remakes and full-on reboots, it's no surprise
that everyone's favorite James Bond game has returned. Enter: Goldeneye 007: Reloaded—Activision's
take on Rare's undeniable classic.
As the "Reloaded" part of the title indicates, this isn't
the same polygon-heavy game you remember obsessing over back when Clinton was
in office. Pierce Brosnan has been replaced with Daniel Craig, classic levels
have been rebuilt and expanded upon and multiplayer is now online. But to
assume that the game is essentially Call of Duty with golden guns would be
wrong. Rather, Goldeneye 007: Reloaded is
a careful mix of retro and modern gaming, which somehow maintains the look and
feel of the original, while still feeling like it belongs on a next-gen console.
However, this combination is a double-edged sword that both helps and hinders
the game. Part of you will be delighted at the game's familiar story beats and
familiar music cues, while the other part will be longing for more substance.
While the original Goldeneye's
campaign mode was a revelatory experience for most gamers—capturing the feel of
the movie without compromising gameplay—Reloaded's
single-player often feels slight and underwhelming. Most levels (especially when
played on the lower difficulty settings) are straightforward races to the
objective markers. Stealth is encouraged, but there are no tools available to
carry out missions in a Bond-like fashion. Instead, you're equipped with an
app-filled smartphone, which is responsible for carrying out most of your non-gun-related
tasks. Sure, you can shoot out cameras and subdue enemies from behind, but that
isn't enough to return Goldeneye to
its former glory.
Explosive action scenes and in-game cinematics are the
calling cards of most shooters these days—precedents set forth by the Halo, Call of Duty, and their countless imitators—and they tend to put
gamers in the role of a spectator rather than a participant. For the most part,
Goldeneye 007: Reloaded balks at
this, and instead offers a quieter, more subdued solo game. It's refreshing to
carryout missions without a squad or a designated partner at your side. When
faced with a large battalion of soldiers, you're gamer instincts may wish to
call upon backup. This leads to intense and surprisingly memorable moments,
where you genuinely feel like the world's top special agent. If only they
weren't so few and far between.
The campaign is short, but levels are so well-designed that
they invite you to replay them over and over—if you're into Achievements, that
is. Replay is also boosted by the engaging Mi6 Ops challenge mode and a
jam-packed multiplayer. For the latter, there are tons of characters to choose
from (yes, including Odd Job) and plenty of match-types to master.
Goldeneye 007:
Reloaded may not be the second-coming of the highly-revered original, but
it's still a worth your time. Hopefully now, with the past behind him, James
Bond could move on to newer, more exciting territory.
Version Tested: Xbox 360
