Developer: Eurocom Publisher EA Games Released: November 18, 2002 Genre: FPS Platform: PS2, GameCube, Xbox
Goldeneye: 007 for Nintendo 64 presented a sea change in how the James Bond license would be handled going forward. While the few side-scrolling action games for previous systems were middling at best for the most part his 3d adventures have been excellent. For the purposes of this review we will ignore 007 Racing. Agent Under Fire was a pretty good original story that hit the right notes but leaned less on the secret agent part of the equation for more action. The sequel 007: Nightfire is an excellent follow-up with a better story, more gadgets, and action and continued the streak Electronic Arts were on with the license.
Nightfire follows Bond as he attempts to thwart corrupt businessman Raphael Drake from stealing a new missile guidance system and using it to destroy the world. While the story is original it takes bits and pieces from the best Bond films. You will recognize set piece moments here and there and while it is derivative the story is very enjoyable. It doesn’t hurt that it has Pierce Brosnan’s digital likeness as well as a bevy of beautiful femme fatales to lend it an air of authenticity. But that is not all it has going for it.
Those familiar with Agent Under Fire will be able to jump right in. Each mission sets you up with specific mission objectives, be it infiltrating a party stealthily or photographing key elements. Objectives evolve as you progress with each mission usually comprising multiple parts. There is a greater variety in gadgets this time around as well as a more stealth. While you are given the necessary tools for each job some can find hidden items or perform Bond actions in set areas. The huge variety in weapons is a joy to use as the controls are easy to master.
The mission variety is possibly the game’s greatest strength. Even the simplest mission often has more than one way to complete your objectives. While going in guns blazing is often the easiest route utilizing stealth will usually grant more mission points towards end level awards. As an example in Double Cross you can travel through a hidden vent to get around the unsuspecting Yakuza and take them out one by one silently. Night Shift has a heavy emphasis on stealth to avoid the security guards raising the alarm. You can also open a ceiling grate to the security room to avoid finding the door code. They sprinkle moments like these throughout the entire game and give huge incentive to replay each mission again.
Nightfire, while primarily a first person shooter, varies its gameplay from time to time with a few vehicle based sequences. The first two driving stages are incredibly similar to those in the previous game which is a good thing; if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Alpine Escape is one long turret sequence as you man the guns while Zoe drives. This one is a little messy as the framerate is unstable but thankfully it mercifully short. The only level I was not particularly fond of is Deep Descent. Driving a car turned submarine should be cool and sort of is. But the nebulous mission objectives and lack of checkpoints make it frustrating.
Overall this is not an especially difficult game on the default setting. Enemy AI is dumber than a bag of rocks. In the years since Goldeneye’s release titles like Half Life raised the bar on AI, leaving Nightfire lacking in this regard. If soldiers do not get the drop on you or have the numbers advantage you can walk away from most firefights unscathed. The game is very generous with its armor power-ups as well. Most of the time you will fail the mission objective rather than being outright killed. Sadly raising the difficulty does not add more objectives to each mission which is disappointing. For those that want a challenge every mission gives awards based on performance, from bronze to platinum. These unlock multiplayer skins and such, with the very best requiring deft execution of each mission.
The campaign is of suitable length for a Bond game. But what gives Nightfire its longevity is its extensive multiplayer. For its time Nightfire had one of the largest array of multiplayer modes and options. The standard Arena, Team Arena, and King of the Hill are present but there are more. Top Agent gives everyone 10 lives and is an endurance match. Industrial Espionage is capture the flag a single target as both sides aim to find a lone CD and bring it back to their bases terminal. My favorite and the one I spent the most time with is Uplink. Three satellites dot the map and once you claim it they add points to your total. With eight maps, close to thirty six character skins, and a wealth of options to tailor matches I spent almost as much time with Nightfire as I did Goldeneye, which is high praise.
And with all of these options, including bots (4 on PS2, 6 on Gamecube and Xbox), the game runs at a perfect 60 fps. As much as I loved Goldeneye the framerate was a problem even back then. It can’t be overstated just how much a rock solid fps makes a difference. The only thing that would have put it over the top would be online multiplayer but that years away.
In Conclusion
James Bond: 007 Nightfire is an outstanding game and one of the better first person shooters of that generation. The solo campaign is excellent and its multiplayer is more than enough to keep you occupied for weeks. This one is often forgotten in the Bond catalog which is a shame as it is one of the best. Buy this one today.
