Goldeneye 007
Reviewed by Garrett Lindsey
GoldenEye is one of the most innovative games for the Nintendo 64
(behind Mario 64 and Blast Corps) which almost warrants a purchase
in itself, but it delivers much more then just innovation.
GRAPHICS: 9.9 The graphics are creamy and colorful. In games
like Quake and Turok you usually get a dominant color due to a limited
palette, which is cool for the first hour then you start to puke. In Turok
you had great graphics and anti-aliasing but tremendous fog and repeated
textures. With GoldenEye, this isn't the case, you get bright yellows,
stone grays, camouflage green, navy blues... every color on screen
without slowdown and little fog (except for a few levels, but it's
snowing, what do you think?). The animations are smooth and realistic.
The only gripe here is the jaggedy heads on some of the people. I could
say it's the best graphics for the Nintendo 64.
SOUND: 8.9 The sound effects are sweet, from the sping of a
sniper rifle to the grunt of a Russian soldier getting shot in the
groin. The music is noteworthy also but some of it can become
annoying, and most of the music is variations on the James Bond
theme. Also I would have appreciated voices for the scripted parts
(like talking with Alex).
CONTROL: 8.0 The control of GoldenEye isn't that remarkable
but it works well. Sometimes I wish I could aim while walking,
driving the tank is a pain in the rear. Otherwise it works fine
and it gives you the option of several different control styles. One
even let's you use two controllers, but I only have one rumble pak
and don't think it's ergonomically sound to use two controllers.
GAMEPLAY: 9.7 The gameplay is momentous, it's a mix between
Mario and MDK (PC shooter, excellent game, too short though). Like Mario
you get multiple objectives and like MDK you have very intelligent
enemies. But GoldenEye makes you complete the objectives at the same
time and the enemies are much smarter (it's hard to explain how, check
it out yourself). The spy "way of operations" also is fun. Shoot with a
silencer and shoot from afar, be quiet, shoot before they see you...
That's just fun.
REPLAYABILITY: 9.7 The multiplayer mode is excellent. With
all the variations you can have it beats out even Mario Kart in multiplayer
replayability. Plus the fact that the levels on different levels aren't
just that the Bad Guy is bigger and meaner, it's almost like a new level.
And more pluses to the fact that the times will have you playing until
you get all cheats/platinums (hahahaha!).
COOKIES: 9.6 The way the cheats and cookies on this game are
handled is really good. In this game you earn the cheats one by one,
not through the internet-extending replayability instead of shortening
it. And unlike Star Fox you don't have to be a guru to earn a code, normal
people can get them, but not all of them, so you get some to keep you
playing (which leads to more experience, more cheats!). Plus the secrets
are good and different, and some are pretty original.
Bottom-Line: This game has so many of the same qualities as
a Miyamoto game, attention to detail, stupendous gameplay, great
presentation etc... it's surprising it isn't! If you are vaguely
interested in shooters this game will make your day. And since you
can get it for $55 bucks at TRU (what's the deal with EB, why do
people like them, they're prices STINK!) it's definitely
worth the money.
Overall: 9.7/10