Video Game Reviews
Title: James Bond: Nightfire
Review rating: ***1/2
Platform/console: Gamecube, Playstation 2, Xbox, PC
Release date: November 2002
Genre: Action
Players allowed: 1 or 2
ESRB rating: T (suggestive themes, violence)
Production company: Electronic Arts
The numerous options and levels might overwhelm you at first,
but this highly entertaining title uses all of these elements
so you can tailor-make the best possible action experience!
This time around Bond and MI6 must fight the evil Phoenix
Corporation. The deaths aren’t graphic and dense action
comes from just about every perspective and vehicle you could
imagine.
The beginning introduction scene gives you a comprehensive
introduction of weapons and controls. The music doesn’t
deviate much from past Bond games or the films, but the Nightfire
theme song is particularly strong. Maybe they’ll come
out with a full length version.
You also get lots of hints on the loading screens and through
prompts during gameplay. Even the characters will tell you
where to shoot and what to watch out for in certain levels.
The auto-aim option and numerous control configurations require
some time to master. Once you’ve oriented yourself,
you’ll accumulate weapons, gadgets, rewards and special
records fairly quickly as you progress. The rocket weapon
even has a POV camera when fired - fire a rocket to check
their position -you can use text prompts to mark them as well.
Good transitions between gameplay and cut scenes enhance the
realistic settings as Bond globetrots around the world saving
allies and investigating Phoenix’s ultimate plot. In
the Nightfire (single player) mode missions automatically
fail if you harm civilians or let them be harmed by your enemies.
The multiplayer mode offers some great levels like uplink
(activate satellites), top agent (last with most lives wins),
demolition (MI6 attacks while Phoenix defends) and industrial
espionage. The bots even have a personality option, such as
vengeful or greedy, along with other choices like reaction
time and recovery rate.
The codename option requires a profile name first, then you
can save your progress or enter the codes – you’ll
definitely need a memory card to optimize the overall experience.
The female characters do initiate more action, but, in typical
Bond fashion, are still objectified. Most gamers, especially
James Bond fans, will definitely find several positive and
challenging elements in this title!
Review by Michael Siebenaler
© Electronic Arts
®
