007: The World is Not Enough

"A good follow-up to the Bond classic"

Well, here we are with the third installment of the 007/Rare franchise, and things are looking up. You've taken control of MI-6 operative James Bond once again, this time in the events based on the latest bond movie: The World Is Not Enough. Now, moving right along to the review . . .

GRAPHICS 8/10: TWINE graphics are a somewhat of a vast improvement over GoldenEye. The weapon detail and realism is through the roof on single-player, the interactive backgrounds make you feel inside the game, and the constant interaction with Bond characters make it all the much better. The explosions are also nicely done as well. The only element I was disappointed in from removal of the previous game were the blood blotches on dead enemies. In conclusion, it can only get a tad better than this.

STORYLINE N/A: If you haven't seen the movie, then I'll explain. you are MI-6 operative James Bond, assigned to stop a dying madman on the loose. He has already partially infiltrated MI-6 and needs to be stopped. I'm a little sketchy myself but I believe nuclear devices or world terror fits somewhere in there.

GAMEPLAY 9/10: For those of you who don't know, TWINE is a FPS (First-Person shooter) in which basically you hold whatever gun you have acquired, you see through bond's vision, you run around levels killing enemies and completing mission objectives. The controls are exactly the same as the previous Bond game on N64. The only difference now is that you can realistically switch your weapon's firing mode. Very nice feature. Difficulty is either very easy or through the roof. Minor frustration occurs during single-player sometimes, but all in all, you'll be having fun. Multiplayer mode is awesome (especially Hidden Volcano with Explosives). play with three other friends, or just one or two friends and the AI Bots. That's another thing, the Artificial intelligence Bots are CPU-controlled enemies that run about the arenas during multiplayer mode playing along with you. But these (as I call them) ''bio-genetically engineered superbots'' can shoot the entire magazine of a 9mm pistol faster than you can say jiminy. Finally, the fun factor. Best with multiplayer mode, still good with single-player. The designers really excelled here. The fun factor alone makes it a must-have.

AUDIO 10/10: Well, out of all things, I'd have to say that the sound effects and music stand victorious over all other elements. The firearm effects sound very nice, as if they had recorded a real one. The mind-blowing explosions will become a familiar sound as you play throughout the game. Voices are as real as possible (ofcourse they are), and miscellaneous effects are excellent and crisp (elevator hum, footsteps, sticky grenade beeping).

REPLAYABILITY 7/10: This all depends. If you're playing single-player mode, it may take you a week or so to beat it all the way through and through. Some other time, you may want to come back to that, either to beat it again, or just fool around (which is fun when you're bored). Multiplayer is a whole 'nother ballgame. Playing with friends or AI Bots is a blast! No joke. However, when playing alone with AI Bots, while honing your skills and practice, it does get boring and rather difficult. Multiplayer level recommendations are definitely the Hidden Volcano level with Explosives. It is the only multiplayer game you can play alongside a friend for a few hours and not lose interest. I also recommend the Explosives arsenal selction for the Labryinth. It is kinda fun to bounce timed GL-40 grenades off of the angular hedge tops. Finally, Standard weapons in Istanbul is good ''night playing TWINE with a friend starter'', it gives you a better feel for playing by thrusting you right into the action.

OVERALL 8/10: To close up the review, I'd like to say that it was a wise choice to make this game the way they did. A very good sequel. Most GoldenEye veterans either say it's ''okay'' or completely dislike it. I have played GoldenEye since it's first appearance in '97, and even though I agree it was breakthrough cutting-edge of its reign, I still say hats off to TWINE, the best N64 Bond game.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 03/02/02, Updated 03/02/02