It’s videogame reviewing law that every Bond game review has to mention, at least once, that the game in question isn’t as good as Goldeneye. When you sign up for webhosting and buy a domain vaguely connected to gaming, they make you sign a legal document that stipulates this; it’s just the way it is. So, let’s get that out of the way first: Quantum of Solace isn’t as good as Goldeneye. But hey, it’s damned close.
Firstly, the game contains levels taken from both Quantum of Solace and Casino Royale, so whilst we’re not going to be spoiling the plot of the new movie in this review, we assume we can safely say that some of the sections from Daniel Craig’s first outing are rather spectacular - the freerunning section in Madagascar especially so, and whilst some of the levels are a little bit drab and the lighting a little flat, when the Call of Duty 4 engine is allowed to flex its muscles Quantum of Solace can look incredibly vivid and solid.
Yes, the graphics tech is starting to show its age, but in terms of texture variety and impressive draw distances thrown around at a rate of knots, there’s more than enough life left in the old dog yet. The character models (Craig’s in particular) look good enough, there’s ample next-gen whizz-bang with things like smoke effects and convincing animation and the weather effects are unrivalled: wait until you see the rain about five levels in. Just don’t do what we initially did and write the game off from the first couple of areas, the game only really kicks in once you start the Casino Royale sections.
If you’ve played Call of Duty 4 you’ll waste no time getting to grips with Quantum of Solace: the controls are almost 100% the same, the guns feel similar and even the enemy AI, which we’re told is improved, still shows some signs of Modern Warfare. No bad thing, really, but much more emphasis has been put on the cover system here than with CoD 4, and in fact it’s pretty much essential to remain behind objects as much as possible: the X button is used to dash to cover and should be applied liberably throughout each level.
In terms of mechanics, Quantum of Solace offers an automatic healing system (just stay out of gunfire for a few seconds and you’ll feel much better), a slightly odd method of gun swapping (it’s never really clear which gun you’ll be swapping out and which you’ll keep) and an oddly convoluted HUD which seems quite happy to bombard you with stuff whenever possible, which isn’t always that easy to manage. Still, if you’re happy running about following an on-screen compass whilst juggling mission objectives, dodging cameras and gunning down the bad guys you’ll have a riot.
Quantum of Solace isn’t subtle. Sure, there are stealth sections and you do need to use the button-based takedowns from time to time, but for most of the game you’ll be spewing bullets faster than Hale and the Master Chief combined; despite the cover system and the options for silencers, this is an all-out first person shooter and it’s all the better for it. Enemies come quick and fast, attempting to flank you if you’re camping, and you’ll rarely be short of bullets and the scripted nature of each level continuously pushes you onwards, often against very tight time restraints. It keeps the game flowing, and works well.
As a Bond adventure, though, it’s missing a bit of the finesse that marks out the movies. The cutscenes are clunky, both the pre-rendered and the in-game, and the mission objectives aren’t always as clearly signposted as some might like. The production values are through the roof, though: all the major actors have lent both their likenesses and their voices to the game which helps with the atmosphere, the load times are quick and covered via briefings and the overall feeling we got from the game once we’d reached the last level was a highly positive one - Quantum of Solace is hugely enjoyable, and a complete surprise.
Please note that due to the limited number of people online this week (for obvious reasons) we’ve not covered the online aspect of Quantum of Solace at this stage, except to test out the various multiplayer levels. Fans of Goldeneye might recognise the Chemical Plant level: it starts in the toilets…
October 31st, 2008 at 12:14 am
I completely agree with this review and I tried the online and it was almost identical to COD 4 online, even had network connection issues as well. Hopefully this will be fixed. Anyway I’m off to save the world.
October 31st, 2008 at 12:20 am
Is it 12:01 where you are?
stefhutch20 Says:
October 31st, 2008 at 12:23 am
Yeah. lol
And damn cos this looks like yet another game I want. Oh well.
October 31st, 2008 at 1:14 am
“As a Bond adventure, though, it’s missing a bit of the finesse that marks out the movies.”
I hear reviews of the new film coming to the same conclusion. But still, it IS Bond. Bond = Awesome.
cc_star Says:
October 31st, 2008 at 1:17 am
Casino Royale was the best, the opening sequence with that FreeRunner was amazing
October 31st, 2008 at 4:06 am
This was not on my games to get list, there’s too many around at the moment. LBP, COD5, fallout 3, but after reading this review and other promising previews I think I’ll be picking it up. Maybe second hand though.
Anyway I’m off to see the film tonight - hope it’s good
nofi Says:
October 31st, 2008 at 9:20 am
I think seeing the film will make you want the game even more.
cc_star Says:
October 31st, 2008 at 9:52 am
I’m going next week sometime, can no one please give the plot away on this site!
rothbury Says:
October 31st, 2008 at 10:41 am
Bond kills Dumbledore.
GamerRiley Says:
October 31st, 2008 at 10:54 am
Oh shit really, Dumbledore, Noooooo!
colossalblue Says:
October 31st, 2008 at 12:26 pm
… and then at the end you find out that M was a ghost all along.
rothbury Says:
October 31st, 2008 at 12:59 pm
And at the end money penny falls off a cliff and presumably gets killed by the hyenas she framed.
(lion king references ftw!)
kellyonline Says:
October 31st, 2008 at 6:02 pm
But grown ups couldn’t see him
GamerRiley Says:
November 1st, 2008 at 10:06 am
Getting silly now
October 31st, 2008 at 10:52 am
Axis…
Sixth Axis…
Da Da Daaa
Da Da Daaa
Da Da Da Da Da…
colossalblue Says:
October 31st, 2008 at 12:27 pm
You really are quite brilliantly mental.
October 31st, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Quick question about multiplayer: Is there 4 player split screen local or online or even maybe both?
nofi Says:
October 31st, 2008 at 1:09 pm
The full multiplayer review will come after the weekend, but there was no split screen on the copy we had.
mcphatty Says:
October 31st, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Ah sod that is a shame, would love to have had mates round to try to relive Goldeneye! Ta for the info
Eldave0 Says:
October 31st, 2008 at 1:56 pm
havent you heard? virtual friends are all the rage these days… :S
October 31st, 2008 at 4:15 pm
8/10……….. ?
colossalblue Says:
October 31st, 2008 at 7:02 pm
How is that a question? I’m confused…
October 31st, 2008 at 5:25 pm
There has been a patch, just thought I’d let you know. Don’t know what it does though.
October 31st, 2008 at 11:27 pm
Is it pretty much the same plot as the movie? =/
CaptainMurdo Says:
November 1st, 2008 at 12:40 am
Mixture between Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace. It also has a scene which was due to be put in the new movie but was later decided to be dropped which is pretty cool.
November 2nd, 2008 at 9:33 pm
Any1 tried the MP yet? Is there perks and attachments?
November 5th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Any more news on the multiplayer?
November 5th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
i bought this on the release date. (Great game). On the multiplayer i get guns for free :S but then i cant use them if i switch off the game? just wondering if anyone else gets this problem?
November 19th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
well golden eye was before my time, but if it was better than this then it must of been an awesome game. No split screen is may turn me off this game.