Goldeneye 007
Reviewed by Jae Min
First off, the game opens with a short cinematic scene which is in all
the movies where you see Bond through the little gunhole and he shoots it.
The sounds are straight off the movie, also as far as I can tell. Then you
pick a mission(or a saved file)and you get to playing.
Graphics: 9.5 out of 10
This game has near perfect graphics. My only gripe: some slowdown.
But it doesn't detract from the experience at all. One thing all you
people that want FMV so bad will like are all the cinematic cut-scenes
in this game. I'm not even past the second area(where the Goldeneye weapon
is, if you've seen the movie)and already there have been lots of short
cut-scenes that help the story out. It's all done in real time and that's
how they fit it all, if you're wondering. The death animations on the
enemies is good, and it does matter where you hit them. There are about 5
death animations and all are smooth. There is no fogging, you can basically
see as far as possible into the distance. The detail is impeccable, though
there are glaring cartridge restrictions(i.e. few textures, though lots more
than Turok.), but the graphics are the best I've seen.
Sounds: 8 out of 10
Though the sounds are digitized like heck and sound like it, they are
good enough. You can tell they are from the movie, so they're not
THAT bad, and the sound effects are cool. The guns sounds are evenly
balanced between the alarms some guards go activate and doors opening.
There is no actual speaking. When you talk to friends during a mission,
it's in text, and the guards don't say anything.
Control: 7 out of 10
It's sort of hard to learn at the beginning, and though it's not as slow
and unresponsive as Shadows of the Empire, it's sort of too smooth.
But it's good enough to warrant a 7.
Gameplay + Overall: 9.5
Though I was expecting a great game, I got an even better game than
expected (actually, rented). Through all the hype, screenshots, and movies, I
was sure it would be great, but.....well, I advise you to go rent the movie
and buy or rent the game right now. First, watch the movie, then play the
game. The game follows the storyline of the movie very closely. For example,
in the first or second mission you have to enter the chemical factory
through the tunnels and you come out on top of a guard that's taking a crap
in the bathroom, which happened exactly in the bathroom. The multiplayer is
also great fun. Though I haven't played multi much, the two player doesn't
slow down at all, as far as I can tell. The split screen works well in this
game, unlike some other games. I would go so far as to say, this is the best
multiplayer game I've ever played except Twisted Metal 2. If this game is a
sign of the future games(i.e. Yoshi's Story, Zelda 64, Top Gear Rally, NFL
QBC '98, etc. etc.)then the future sure is a bright one for the N64.
On a side note: Those that don't like first-person shooters, go try this
one out. There a lot of spy elements. Example: You have a choice of shooting a
guard with a gun with a silencer on it or a gun without, if you shoot him
with the one without, other guards might hear it and sound the alarm, then
guards will be all over the place, but if you use the gun with the silencer
you lose ammunition for the one with the silencer and the one with the
silencer has less ammo available for it. Decisions and situations like this
make this game like no other.