James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing

"Everything riding on the new style of the Bond game"

Just like the movies, the Bond series has been with us for quite some time. And also like the movies as technology advances the movies get better as do the games. The last few Bond games have been first person style shooters. Agent Under Cover was a dissapointment to many but Nightfire put the faith back into the agent wanna be's. EA decided that the series needed some innovation and they changed it for the better


The Game:

Well I am sure you know that Bond is with M-6 Englands CIA. Your missions are basically to save the world from the scum terrorist trying to either take over the world or destroy it. You begin an introductory mission where you stop the sale of a miniature nuclear bomb in a briefcase. This is a quick mission that introduces you to the new Bond style game.

The Game Play:

This game has drastically changed the way the last few Bond games were played. Gone is the first person shooter that Bond games were known for and now we have a third person style which works very well. EA has added a kill Switch type of use of cover where you can not only target enemies but when an enemey is targeted there is a laser like sight which allows you to pin point your shot. The game plays extremely well for using stealth but if you come to an open area and just need to mow down some enememies its a little awkward trying to lock on. And what Bond game would be complete without the vehicles and gadgets which there is an abundant supply. I really enjoyed the fact that for example in the first mission using a vehicle you can go right to use the SUV or left to use the motorcycle a nice touch.

The Controls:

Being the drastic change from first person to third I was a little worried about how the game would play. Worrying was a waste of time. The game play is fantastic, allowing simple use of the gadgets but not so simple that a monkey could do it. When you want to change a weapon you enter Bond sense where you enter a Matrix like state where things slow down but not stop. This sense also highlights things you can use or things you can do to have a Bond Moment this is a great touch a Bond moment is where you pull off a move that is extra and not necessary usually requires you to do a little extra work but you are rewarded for it. The gadgets are all here and all work well. The harpoon is easy to use and automatically engages if your jumping off something. You also control Bond while clibimg or descending if enemies are following you, you can turn around and face them as well as jump from side to side.
The vehicle mechanics are also done well, the motorcycle was really fun jumping through the air, and doing powerslided very cool stuff.

The Graphics:

EA has done a wonderfull job here as far as visual candy goes. From the moment the disk is put in the XBox it starts like a movie. Opening credits with the usual new Bond song, but what really makes this game stand out is that the actual actors are doing the voices and are represented visually. John Cleese does Q, Pierce Bronsman does Bond there also Mya and more its a really well done. Bond looks just like Pierce and when a mission starts out it starts a movie then transforms into the game. The game is amazing visually. Trust me here this is an easy 10 ~~

The Sound:

Of course the XBox has the best sound as it uses in game 5.1 surround sound. But the game itself has incredible audio quality. First having the actors doing the voices is great but not only that the music is very good. Simply put this is a great sounding game.

Overall:

To date this is the best Bond game I have played to date not only that byt the best EA game I played in a long time. EA didn't cut any corners at least none that I could notice. This game is top notch from the bottom up. This is a definite MUST have game. Of course we all know that Bond games have multiplayers this one offers cooperative multiplayer. Simply put this game has a lot to offer and does so with quality.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 02/25/04