Review - GoldenEye 007 (Wii)

In this currently filmless Bond-time is a game like Goldeneye 007 for the Wii really satisfying? Or not?

Well, one thing is for sure: you should not expect a one-on-one transformation of the classic Nintendo 64 game of 1997 and much less a transformation of the movie.

Activions and Eurocoms reinterpretation of the Goldeneye-topic differs in many respects from the prototype. It starts with Bond itself, because Pierce Brosnan was abruptly replaced by Daniel Craig. Not to say I have anything against Daniel Craig, but when I think of Goldeneye I think of Pierce Brosnan. Even Tina Turners theme song was re-recorded by Nicole Scherzinger.

Overall it’s difficult to accept this new Goldeneye, there are too much childhood memories I have in my mind about this movie and also about the game.
Sean Bean as 006?? No chance! Gottfried John as Ouromov? I also have to negate that, instead there is only a off-the-rack general , that has a valued number of thousand medals on his chest. At least Xenia Onatopp and Natalya Fyodorovna Simonova rudimentarily remind of their real life models Famke Janssen and Izabella Scorupco.

The basic background story is widely the same as in the movie, though it is set in modern times. Simultaneously some scenes and events were moved. The EMP-resistant helicopter isn’t stolen in Monaco but on a arms fair in Dubai. Bond is locate Severnaya when the first satellite explodes, and the showdown takes place in Nigeria not in Cuba.
That’s more or less a matter of taste. For some it is a welcome change of the plot, but personally I can’t acquire a taste for it.

But let’s get to the actual game, that is very impressive on Nintendo’s little white one. With GoldenEye Eurocom brought a very interesting and - by Wii-standards - best-looking shooter to the screen - this is only blurred by small slowdowns in some situations. When it comes to controlling Eurocom gives you free choice between Classic-controller, GameCube-controller, Wii-Zapper and of course the combination of Wiimote and Nunchuk. Last option works as expected: you aim and shoot with the Wiimote and move around with the Nunchuk. If you bring the crosshairs to the screen-edges, the perspective turns to this direction, but slightly up and down. Nothing out of the ordinary. Whether you want to spurt, crouch or zoom in, everything is possible and works well. By the way there is a activated target-guidance as a standard feature. If requested you can turn this little feauture off anytime and depend on your own skills.

GoldenEye often provides several ways to solve a situation. On every occasion you can proceed quietly and try to eliminate your enemies silently - weapons with silencers and knockouts form behind are your best friends in those situations. Since the dead bodies disappear after a certain time, you don’t have to worry about being spotted. If someone hears your steps or sees you, there is still a small time slot to neutralize this particular target, otherwise the alarm will be set off.
But you don’t pervade this sneak missions quite consistent. Even if you huddle in a dark corner or squat in a bush, after a few seconds your enemies know where you are, if they were alarmed by one of their colleagues. Also when they didn’t look in your direction previously. In those situations you are forced to fire yourself through the remained opponents. In those struggles you’re not safe anywhere. Small concrete blocks, wooden boxes or similar objects fall apart at heavy bombardments, so that you can’t stay for a longer time at one place.

It’s also conspicuous, that Eurocom injected the game a dose of Call of Duty. Whether it is the presentation, like you ran through a boat, while a helicopter attacks you with rockets, or if it are certain moments, where you break doors and eliminate enemies in slow motion, it benefits the game and provides a necessary thrill from time to time. In addition, you witness all cutscenes in ego-perspective and consequently are in the middle of the action.

The tank mission, where Bond rushes through St.Petersburg in a tank, by contrast seems a bit strange. Indeed also in the movie some surroundings broke but in the game dozens of cars and helicopters explode after you shoot them. Even russian jet fighters drop their bombs into the middle of the town and destroy parts of the streets, just to stop Bond. That seems exaggerated and admittedly and not much Bond-like: a wake of devastation through St.Petersburg.

The entire gaming time of the campaign, depends on the difficulty level. If you choose lowest level you will need about 6 hours to finish the game, but this also depends on whether you solve every situation inconspicuous or if you want to rush through the whole game. The higher the difficulty level the more objectives will be added. Thereby the game relies on the familiar system of regenerating health, except for the Classic 007 difficulty.

Now let’s come to the Multiplayer, which offers a good variety of modes, including classics such as the Paintball mode or the Golden Gun mode. On the other hand the maps are all new and don’t come from the original game. Besides you earn experience points for every kill. Headshots, kill streaks and such bring you extra bonuses, increase your level and unlock new weapons and configurations.

Although I don’t like the reinterpretation of the story, GoldenEye still is a good shooter, that uses some elements from Call of Duty to pep up the presentation. You can proceed quietly or suspicious. But sometimes Eurocom has a propensity to exaggerate in terms of action. In this case less is more. As a Bond-fan I’m not completely satisfied, but if you're looking for a good shooter for Nintendo’s console you can’t do anyting wrong with this game.

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