Post by tantricnferno on Jul 29, 2008 2:04:19 GMT -5
TANTRICNFERNO’S FUNTIME OLD GAMES REVIEWS
Today’s game: Perfect Dark Zero (Xbox 360)
As most of you may know, Perfect Dark Zero was meant to be the spiritual successor to the legendary Goldeneye for the N64, first released in 2000. However, these were quite the big shoes to fill, and the general public was left wholly unimpressed. However, as a kid, I remember having a blast with it, especially after I put in the N64 Expansion Pak, which was the only way you would be able to experience the entire game. However, I wasn’t able to experience the entire game at this time, because I was deathly scared of the single player and its music, so I stuck to playing multiplayer (in which It’s menu music scared me) I remember hours and hours of just blasting Meatsims with my best friend, both thinking that we were gods at the game. Time went by, and my N64 would soon be shoved into the corner, collecting dust. I still can’t find all the cables to put it back together. When I first heard of Perfect Dark Zero for the Gamecube, I was psyched. Then it went on the Xbox. At this time, I was pissed, because I didn’t own a Xbawks. When I finally got a Xbox, and patiently waited, I found out it was to be a Xbox 360 launch title. Skip ahead about a couple years, and I finally got it.
Be forewarned, I’m basing this review off my playtime with it as of tonight.
Graphics:
You take a look at the graphics on a good TV set, and you see why Microsoft decided to make this a flagship title. Even after 2 and half years after its release, it still boasts clean edges, engrossing visions of the future, and some sweet post-processing (Motion blur, Dynamic Lighting, Pixel Shading). It all runs at a pretty stable frame rate as well, somewhere in the field on 30 FPS, which is good enough for me. The only real complaint I have about the graphics is that the game is usually too dark at times, even with the brightness jacked up.
Sound
The music is definitely an acquired taste. Right at the start screen, you are hit with an interesting track that mashes up rock, techno, and……. Whitney Houston vocals??? Like I said, it’s an acquired thing. The music after that pretty much fits the mood pretty well, from like dance-like/ trance music to dark electronica mashed with guitars when the action gets heavy. The guns definitely have some “oomph” to them, especially the Superdragon and the AK47 rip-off. People make noises when they’re hit, and you are met with a resounding “UMPH” when it happens to you. The really out there weapons, like the Plasma Rifle, have a sound you’d expect.
Controls
This is my biggest gripe, even though it’s something I have gotten used to. You just seem to move so slowly, and aim so slowly. I don’t know why, but after playing games like Unreal, Doom, and Halo, I just feel like I’m playing as a drunkard handling a gun. Auto-Aim is supposed to help, but I haven’t noticed a real difference. Other than that, the controls are pretty well set up, with all your primary functions where you need them to be.
Story
I haven’t played it enough to give a justified opinion,
Gameplay
The game itself reminds me of a slightly slower paced Goldeneye, mixed in with the chaotic ness of Unreal. The reason I say Chaotic is because the bots love shooting everything. : P. The left trigger gives you a “Precision Aim” mode, much like GTA 4’s. Like any good Precision Aim mode, you really have to judge on when to use it, as it slows you down considerably. The Left Bumper allows you to roll and evade enemy fire, a cool little trick in my book. Each gun has a secondary fire (activated by right trigger), and even a tertiary fire on certain weapons. It always adds something new to the mix. There are vehicles implemented as well, and flow seamlessly into the gameplay.
Multiplayer.
This right here is probably the best part of the game itself. The multiplayer in Perfect Dark Zero is so fully featured; I’m surprised that there aren’t more people playing it! With a plethora of maps and game modes to choose from, you and your friends will more than likely never have a repeat experience. Of course, any game with online coop gets a big plus from me. They have the “Virtual Combat” mode too, a mode that allows you to fight with or against bots before you hop online. Xbox Live Competitive has just as many options as split screen, and you can fight bots with other humans too! You also have access to vehicles too, which are a blast to drive. Just be forewarned that there might be a couple people on there that’ll run you into the dirt.
Even though this game isn’t legendary like Doom, Half Life, Unreal, or Halo, I feel like it has been picked on too much for small things it did wrong. I personally highly enjoyed this game, and would not hesitate on recommending it.
Final Score: 8/10
Today’s game: Perfect Dark Zero (Xbox 360)
As most of you may know, Perfect Dark Zero was meant to be the spiritual successor to the legendary Goldeneye for the N64, first released in 2000. However, these were quite the big shoes to fill, and the general public was left wholly unimpressed. However, as a kid, I remember having a blast with it, especially after I put in the N64 Expansion Pak, which was the only way you would be able to experience the entire game. However, I wasn’t able to experience the entire game at this time, because I was deathly scared of the single player and its music, so I stuck to playing multiplayer (in which It’s menu music scared me) I remember hours and hours of just blasting Meatsims with my best friend, both thinking that we were gods at the game. Time went by, and my N64 would soon be shoved into the corner, collecting dust. I still can’t find all the cables to put it back together. When I first heard of Perfect Dark Zero for the Gamecube, I was psyched. Then it went on the Xbox. At this time, I was pissed, because I didn’t own a Xbawks. When I finally got a Xbox, and patiently waited, I found out it was to be a Xbox 360 launch title. Skip ahead about a couple years, and I finally got it.
Be forewarned, I’m basing this review off my playtime with it as of tonight.
Graphics:
You take a look at the graphics on a good TV set, and you see why Microsoft decided to make this a flagship title. Even after 2 and half years after its release, it still boasts clean edges, engrossing visions of the future, and some sweet post-processing (Motion blur, Dynamic Lighting, Pixel Shading). It all runs at a pretty stable frame rate as well, somewhere in the field on 30 FPS, which is good enough for me. The only real complaint I have about the graphics is that the game is usually too dark at times, even with the brightness jacked up.
Sound
The music is definitely an acquired taste. Right at the start screen, you are hit with an interesting track that mashes up rock, techno, and……. Whitney Houston vocals??? Like I said, it’s an acquired thing. The music after that pretty much fits the mood pretty well, from like dance-like/ trance music to dark electronica mashed with guitars when the action gets heavy. The guns definitely have some “oomph” to them, especially the Superdragon and the AK47 rip-off. People make noises when they’re hit, and you are met with a resounding “UMPH” when it happens to you. The really out there weapons, like the Plasma Rifle, have a sound you’d expect.
Controls
This is my biggest gripe, even though it’s something I have gotten used to. You just seem to move so slowly, and aim so slowly. I don’t know why, but after playing games like Unreal, Doom, and Halo, I just feel like I’m playing as a drunkard handling a gun. Auto-Aim is supposed to help, but I haven’t noticed a real difference. Other than that, the controls are pretty well set up, with all your primary functions where you need them to be.
Story
I haven’t played it enough to give a justified opinion,
Gameplay
The game itself reminds me of a slightly slower paced Goldeneye, mixed in with the chaotic ness of Unreal. The reason I say Chaotic is because the bots love shooting everything. : P. The left trigger gives you a “Precision Aim” mode, much like GTA 4’s. Like any good Precision Aim mode, you really have to judge on when to use it, as it slows you down considerably. The Left Bumper allows you to roll and evade enemy fire, a cool little trick in my book. Each gun has a secondary fire (activated by right trigger), and even a tertiary fire on certain weapons. It always adds something new to the mix. There are vehicles implemented as well, and flow seamlessly into the gameplay.
Multiplayer.
This right here is probably the best part of the game itself. The multiplayer in Perfect Dark Zero is so fully featured; I’m surprised that there aren’t more people playing it! With a plethora of maps and game modes to choose from, you and your friends will more than likely never have a repeat experience. Of course, any game with online coop gets a big plus from me. They have the “Virtual Combat” mode too, a mode that allows you to fight with or against bots before you hop online. Xbox Live Competitive has just as many options as split screen, and you can fight bots with other humans too! You also have access to vehicles too, which are a blast to drive. Just be forewarned that there might be a couple people on there that’ll run you into the dirt.
Even though this game isn’t legendary like Doom, Half Life, Unreal, or Halo, I feel like it has been picked on too much for small things it did wrong. I personally highly enjoyed this game, and would not hesitate on recommending it.
Final Score: 8/10