Quantum of Solace

"My Game Is Bond, James Bond!"

Introduction:

This is the first time I have played a James Bond game. I haven't played the previous installments. Also being a huge fan of Daniel Craig, I got my hands on 007: Quantum of Solace for the PS2. It was excitement filled into my nerves all throughout my veins to play as I had seen Quantum of Solace movie months earlier and had loved it. There are hardly far and few games that are released for the PS2 with much dedication but Eurocom has done it . They have given us an authentic game that is so much fun and exciting to play and handles so well on the PS2 without frustrating you over the contents of the game. If you ever stumble in the game, you'll know its because of your own skills or mistakes. An "AAAAAH" and then you'll get on with it and try again. So lets get on with this. The Cover of the game is simply brilliant and attractive. The game is also presented as a movie with the Bond Title Song after the first mission. The title song and the picturisation is really great.

Gameplay: 9/10

The gameplay of Quantum of Solace is simply satisfying. The PS2 version offers a third person over the shoulder view which can be shifted over shoulder to shoulder with the press of a button. The game's most impressive feature is the COVER system. Bond is required to use Cover in gunfights as well as in stealth missions. Using cover is so important in this game. Without it, its very difficult as even the AI which is so intelligent and makes the game so much fun to play also use Cover and attack. While firing there is also a PRECISE AIM where the action shifts to First Person Shooter. Gameplay is always an important aspect of a game and it cant be compromised and Eurocom hasn't done that which is commendable. They have given the gamers a near perfect Bond experience and there are certain missions where you have to progress undetected. Also something that is unique is that in some action combat missions where hand to hand combat is concerned, the battles are fought in cutscenes but at the same time the outcome of the battle depends on you as you to press the correct face button. Failure to do so may result in death or starting the battle all over again. Simply to name it - Interactive Cutscenes. Another great aspect is that there are frequent checkpoints as you advance. Failure of any sorts and you will start again at your last checkpoint and to say checkpoints are so often at short and frequent intervals. Also ability to pause and Save your last checkpoint helps you to start the game at your last checkpoint if you wish to continue your game later. The gameplay of Quantum of Solace is the greatest strength of this game. The camera can be controlled with the right analog stick and needs to get used to initially. Bond aka Craig can Run, Crouch, Strafe, Climb ladders, pipes, ledges, vault, hack into electronic doorlocks all depending on the environment. Makes you feel like a super spy yourself.

Story: 7/10

Quantum of Solace has combined the plot of Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace into one game. And its remarkable to say the way they've done it. Yes obviously they've had to trim a lot of the plot to combine these two movies into one game. Also there are changes in the plot which differ from the movie. But most of it is there. Sadly pre-mission or post mission briefings are through computerised conversation between M and Bond or other agents. Even most of the plot is explained in this fashion, so you know that what been happening. They haven't skipped much but instead let us known of the events through conversations. They must have done it to save disc space and extra workload in my opinion but I dont have complains as such. Bond fans would know what's in it.

Graphics: 8/10

Considering the limitations of the PS2 hardware, the graphics are quite brilliant. Daniel Craig as James Bond looks just as you would like him to be. Truly brilliant to see Craig recreated just like him with his blue eyes. Same cannot be said about Camille or M or Mr. White. The rest are look alike even Le Chiffre looks great. The surroundings and environment looks good. The action also looks brilliant whenever its there. Just minor flaws which are too hard to recall when and where and that's a great effort I must say. What I like the most is when Bond is running at full speed when the camera is above his shoulder. It just feels like something fast and quick is happening and that there is this adrenaline pumping whenever you see him running. Looks the best. So all I did was just Run Run Run to get my money's worth of seeing Bond run just like he does in his movies.

Sound: 8/10

Firstly, the title song is really great. Though hardly any soundtrack from the movie is used but the trademark Bond theme is used in various parts of the game as well as in the menus and end credits. In game background music is brilliant too as it gives you a great feel during gun battles. The Bond theme is sometimes aggressively used in various types of compositions and it elevates the scenes sometimes. Voice acting is as per the real life counterparts. The sounds of gunshots are pretty first rate.

Playtime and Replayability: 6/10
Alright Quantum of Solace is a short game. You'll finish the game in within 3-6 hours in gametime depending on your skills. It took just below 4 hours for me to complete in gametime. You can do it in just one sitting and majority would do it in one sitting because of the engrossing factor that is with this game. No multiplayer hence replayability is affected. But its still fun to replay a few of your favourite missions.

Final Recommendation:
Just Buy this one. Good games for PS2 are hardly coming out. This is more then good. This is simply great fun filled action and satisfying too. No doubts about this one.

Overall: 9/10 (Based majorly on gameplay and satisfying factor of the other game aspects)

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 05/13/09

Game Release: James Bond: Quantum of Solace (EU, 10/31/08)