Perfect Dark

"Rare have created a masterpiece again!"

Introduction:
Right from the first details and screen shots I saw of this game I knew it was going to be great, so right from the beginning of this review I say, this game will not disappoint!

Gameplay: 10
The majority of the game is set in the top down isometric view, in fact the view is very similar to Rare’s Conkers Pocket Tales. The controls are easy to get to grips with, A is fire, B is re-load, the d-pad moves you and if you double tap in the same direction you will run. The gameplay could be described as similar to Metal Gear Solid and Mission Impossible, but I think it betters the both. Like MGS you can take a stealthy approach, so you’ll be walking instead of running and speaking up on guards and shooting them in the back (this kills them with one shot instead of three). As well as the main part of the game Rare have squeezed many sub games in, these include Target Practice where you shoot various targets, Jungle Chase where you play a Spy-Hunter like driving part and a Sniper Mode. These add great variety to the gameplay.

Graphics & Performance: 10
Rare are known for there high quality in the graphics department, and Perfect Dark is an absolute beauty. You turn the game on and the ‘Nintendo Presents’ and Rare screens, even these are more impressive than usual. When you get into the game your treated to a lovely detailed environment with very large and detailed characters. Travel around and you’ll see the detail Rare have gone into, you’ll see flashing monitors, realistic wooden floors and even blood when you shoot the guards. Yes that’s right, as you blast the guards apart with the Shotgun you’ll see plenty of red blood, hence the 11+ rating of the game.

Sounds/Music: 8
My views on this section of the game are a bit mixed. On the positive side you get digitised speech before each key mission explaining what you must do. Also during the game the guns are very realistic (for a Gameboy) and when you shoot the guards they’ll shout, sometimes ‘medic’ or ‘hey’ and Joanna will shriek if she dies, very good! On the downside is the music, or should I say lack of it. During the levels there is no music at all, this is possible due to the cartridge space being used up by the speech and also the game relies on the sounds that you hear, with music you’d get confused.

Lastability: 9
Firstly there’s the main game, and that’s pretty challenging and there are seven giant parts to the game. During that you’ll play many mini games which will be able to be accessed in the Extra’s section of the game when you complete that mission. You also get a stunning 8 multiplayer modes. These include Flag Run where you must capture a flag to score points, First To which is a standard deathmatch and Deathball which is a bizarre football/Perfect Dark hybrid. And that’s just a few of the surprises to be opened within the game. Perfect Dark should last you a very long time

Originality: 9
Although similar to Mission Impossible and MGS Perfect Dark adds a whole lot that these games didn’t feature. The structure of the levels, style of the graphics and all the extras are all very different from the 2 games mentioned. In fact I believe PD is the most original game to surface on the Gameboy for ages. A game that every single Gameboy Color owner should buy, if you don’t your missing on a true Rare Classic (I find myself saying that every time I review a new Rare game - sorry!)

Overall: 9
A game of pure excellence! Rare should be congratulated on how well they have done with Perfect Dark.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 09/10/00, Updated 09/10/00