I've heard the hype regarding 007: Everything or Nothing. I've heard how it is supposed to be "the best Bond game since Goldeneye," as if that actually meant anything. The simple fact is, there hasn't been a truly great Bond game since Goldeneye, and EoN is no exception. Technically speaking, it is the most competent game to bear the 007 name since the N64 juggernaut, but being "not as bad" as the games that came before it does not make a title "good."
Starting off on a high note, EoN's presentation leaves nothing to be desired. The game is chock full of big-name actors lending both voice-overs and likenesses, including Pierce Brosnan, Shannon Elizabeth, Heidi Klum, Judi Dench, John Cleese, Mya, and even Spider Man's brilliantly psychotic Willem Dafoe. All give standout performances that would be at home in one of 007's celluloid capers, providing a movie-like experience that is nothing short of enthralling. The game's visuals are similarly top-notch, featuring gorgeous, detailed explosions, fluid-as-a-river animation, and a framerate that never compromises.
At least, it's enthralling until you get to actually play the game. For all its impressive cinematic qualities, Everything or Nothing is a game, not a movie. Thus, certain things are expected – such as play mechanics that revolve around fun, not the pursuit of being "movie-like." This is where Bond takes his chops, due to the game's standard formula of throwing massive amounts of cannon fodder at your lone agent, and calling it "challenge". It's not challenging, it's just downright frustrating to be shooting from cover, ducked behind a steel crate, using your "Bond sense," and just generally doing everything right, only to be outflanked by 3 guards with machine guns who come out of thin air. To make matters worse, several of the mechanics just seem clunky and/or unnecessary. For instance, Bond has a pseudo bullet-time function, called "Bond Sense." The vehicular stages fare better, but can't make up for the "core" gameplay failings.
To its credit, Everything or Nothing does an excellent job as far as putting the player in Bond's shoes is concerned. The gadgets are cool; the core mechanics of the gunplay are solid enough. It's too bad, then, that EoN's execution leaves much to be desired. Those who value style over substance may find something to like here, but the vast majority of gamers will find this latest Bond caper to be just one more notch in the long line of miserable licensed products.
-George
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