GoldenEye 007 (Wii) - Review by Chris

Introduction

If there's one shooter that Nintendo gamers, and gamers, need no introduction to its Goldeneye. Released back in 1997 on the N64, it set the foundations and standards by which all console based shooters would be judged and since its release, countless other titles have tried to replicate the many mechanics used within the game which made it so enjoyable. While that version may be held up by licensing issues, Activision has deemed it time to revive the property and have brought in developer Eurocom to create a re-imagining of the film and game for modern gamers. But is it worthy of the Goldeneye moniker or is it a cheap cash-in on nostalgia?

Gameplay

With the original Goldeneye and its level design tied up in reams of litigation, Eurocom have set about re-imagining the game which started the console first person shooter fad by bringing it closer to the movie as well as bringing it into a modern age. The story essentially remains the same this time around, albeit with a few location changes to make the story more modern and some characters replaced or removed altogether. You still take on the role of Bond, this time played by Daniel Craig, as he attempts to foil an arms syndicates plans to get hold of and use one of the Goldeneye satellites for evil deeds. If you've seen the film or played the original game, you'll know exactly what the plot has in store for you, even with the location changes.

Even with the largely unchanged story, the game doesn't rest on its laurels and proceeds to provide one of the most action packed experiences you'll find on the Wii this year. Levels continue to be named after their predecessors but your progression through them and the way in which each plays out is distinctly different from before, allotting you the option of either going stealth, making use of the shadows, cover and air ducts to get round groups of guards and get to your objectives, or to go in all guns blazing although fail to dispose of guards quickly and special task force backups will be brought in. There really is no right or wrong way to do it and you'll find yourself coming back to try both approaches just to see how it's done. Similarly, as with the original, as you step up the difficulty in the game, not only do the guards become more aggressive but you'll be asked to complete more and more objectives along the way and full completion of the level will only happen once you've completed these all. It's a great way to create some longevity in the title as these alternate objectives, while not changing the course of the overall levels, certainly allows you to go and explore them more and definitely makes for some good replayability. And if you feel even more nostalgic playing the game, the classic 007 mode is included, where you no longer have regenerating health and must locate health and armour packs to survive.

Even with the changes to the level design, the key events from that first game remain, with the man on the toilet scene from the Dam level still in there amongst many other nods to the original. But bringing the game in to a modern age has allotted it some new features. This time around, you'll be able to make use of your phone for scanning faces in a crowded nightclub or for taking control of Wi-Fi terminals to control enemy turrets. You'll also get much more involved in the cinematic moments to further confound that this is a Bond game and there are also some Call of Duty-esque breach sequences. Yet with these inclusions, the game still manages to feel distinctly Bond throughout the entire run of the 8 hour plus single player and provides memorable moments that are sure to have you coming back to play them again.

With multiplayer playing a huge role in the original's popularity, it speaks to reason that this new game should follow suit and it definitely provides a hefty slice of multiplayer fun. Whether you're looking for some 4 player split screen or some online multiplayer, supporting up to 8 players in a variety of modes, the game has you covered. Offline, while there are no bots which is definitely a disappointment, there are 4 main modes of play, including free-for-all, team deathmatch and, of course, Golden Gun. While 4 modes might not sound like much, the game boasts an incredible about of customisation here, with 17 game modifiers, including the likes of paintball mode, singularity and move your feet mode as well as a few others that can be unlocked, which can be turned on to create a vast range of options which will ensure people will come back time and again for some split screen multiplayer. There are also 8 classic Bond franchise characters for you to play as, such as Jaws, Scaramanga and Dr. No. Online, these options are pulled back and none of the modifiers or characters makes it here but there are plenty of your standard modes available and a hefty levelling system, akin to the one you'll have seen in the Call of Duty titles.

Controls

Several control options are provided for play including the standard Wii-mote and Nunchuk setup as well as Gamecube and Classic Controller compatibility and all of them work perfectly. The Wii-mote and Nunchuk setup are the default controls on offer here and work exactly as you would expect for a Wii first person shooter and definitely offer the best shooter experience in comparison to the other options. While the default setup for these controls may not prove quite as accurate as the controls you'll find in the likes of the recent Call of Duty titles or The Conduit, extensive customisation options and pre-set options are available which allow you to match the accuracy of the setups you'd find in the aforementioned games and it's definitely recommended that you spend some time trying out either the pre-set options or making your own setup to suit your play style.

Along with the pointer controls, a few other instances of motion gestures are included, these mainly being assigned to shakes of the Nunchuk. They're very basic in their nature, with a simple swing of the Nunchuk being used for the likes of a melee attack or for pressing buttons and turning off alarms, but where these kind of gestures have been included in other games and not worked, here they work extremely well and feel intuitive rather than invasive. A handy auto-aim feature is also active in the game, allowing you to pop out of cover and snap to an enemy if you're looking down the sights of your gun, so long as you are facing the general direction of the enemy. It's perhaps a little generous, and can be turned off, but in the heat of some of the more energetic gun fights, it can be very helpful for picking out guards hiding behind cover.

An oft underused function of the Wii-mote, the speaker, is put to use in the game also and at points throughout the single player campaign, you'll be contacted on your phone, with the game prompting you to hold the Wii-mote up to your ear as the call comes through the speaker. It's a small touch but one that certainly helps to bring you further into the proceedings.

Graphics

With a complete re-imagining of the game comes a modern visual setup that plays to the Wii's strengths. While many of the locations you'll go to do, unfortunately, take on a much more linear path than we would have liked, the feel, look and atmosphere of the levels manages to perfectly evoke memories of the old Goldeneye, both game and movie, and they all feel distinctly Bond, especially this new iteration of Bond which Craig has brought with him in the recent movies. The attention to detail put into each of the levels is astonishing given the processing power of the console and you'll continue to be amazed at the way in which each location has cover or numerous environmental objects which can be destroyed to the benefit or detriment of your progress. Couple this with some very impressive visuals, only slightly marred by some blurry textures, and effects to really hit home the feel of being in each of the locations and you have a fantastic looking game. One particular night club scene proves a high point for showcasing exactly how Eurocom have managed to nail the feel of the Bond franchise.

Character models continue the high standard for the visuals, with facial expression and general body animation of all those who have a key role in the game being expertly done and definitely looking like some of the best work you'll see on the console. You will see a lot of character models simply standing around and not moving at all in many scenes, purely as a result of the limitations of the hardware, and it is a slight dampener for the atmosphere of the game but it never really leaves too much of a mark.

The only real issues with the visuals come in the form of some frame rate issues when things get heavy on screen, or when you head online where the frame rate issues are slightly more persistent, and some aliasing issues which are by no means terrible but they are very noticeable at times.

Sound

The theme song from the movie has been re-recorded, this time by Pussycat Doll singer Nicole Scherzinger and while it breathes a new lease of life into the song, it certainly continues to prove one of the lesser Bond themes. Much of the music throughout the game is your stock Bond-fare, being moody and dramatic when it gets more action oriented on screen and being subtle and subdued when things are quieter, but proves to be much more engaging than the theme and definitely helps to create an authentic Bond atmosphere.

Voice work takes on a very high standard with both Daniel Craig and Dame Judi Dench taking up the roles of Bond and M respectively. Both deliver lines with the same level of professionalism that you expect from them when it comes to the films and although the rest of the cast is unknown, they too manage to put in a fantastic and believable performance worthy of the Bond title.

Final comments

Given all the trepidation surrounding the game prior to release, Goldeneye 007 has turned out to far better than anyone could have expected. Developer Eurocom have really done their homework in every area, creating a game that does service to its heritage but brings enough to the table to make it standout as the best Bond game since the original Goldeneye. The single player is an authentic, action packed romp which is extremely enjoyable and will definitely have you coming back for the higher difficulties and added objectives while multiplayer ensures that there are enough options to keep you playing for months on end. It doesn't quite reach the top of the Wii's FPS library but it definitely pitches close to the top and is a must have for any Wii owner this holiday season.

Pro: Single player is exhilarating, copious amount of options for multiplayer, controls are perfect after some playing with the settings, presentation nails the Bond feeling
Con: Some frame rate and aliasing issues, no bots for split screen multiplayer
Final score: 9

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