GoldenEye: Rogue Agent (2005) Nintendo DS -
MI6 Review
For the background story to the title, it's use, the controversy,
the storyline, and the full lowdown on the console game released
in November 2004, read the MI6 review of
the PlayStation 2, Xbox and GameCube versions. This review
will focus on the issues specific to the Nintendo DS spin-off
edition.
Can you squeeze a 128-bit generation console first-person-perspective
shooter on to a tiny handheld platform? Yes, is the resounding
answer based on EA's achievements with "GoldenEye: Rogue
Agent", but as you would expect there is a price to pay.
Gameplay
The gameplay of the console version has made the transition to the
DS almost intact - so that means the single player campaign missions
are largely dull, variety is thin on the ground and the overall
experience is lacklustre. But playing the game on the tiny DS gives
an added sparkle and novelty factor which helps hide a lot of the
console versions's flaws.
But things have been lost along the way.
The missions, although very recognisable from the console
version, have been cut down to just six shorter outings.
The much-hyped but ultimately disappointing "E.V.I.L"
AI takes a heavy blow too, with the behaviour of many goons
quite predictable and unthreatening. The game engine suffers
from occasional glitches, and collision detection is somewhat
unpredictable.
As with the console version though, the gameplay is lifted
by the only real innovation of this game, the "golden
eye", which gives you special powers earned throughout
the campaign. The dual weapon control seems easier than
the console version too, and adds an extra level of depth
to an otherwise bland FPS engine.
It is the control system of "Rogue Agent" on
the DS which really shines out amongst everything else.
Perhaps the defining feature of the DS generally, the touch
screen comes in to it's own with GRA, making previous handheld
FPS Bond titles ("The World Is Not Enough", "NightFire"
- GameBoy Advance) feel terribly clunky.
The touch pad adds a similar amount of control enjoyed
by PC gamers over their console counterparts. GRA offers
four different schemes, with the stylus mode the best, closely
followed by the option to use the touch pad as a traditional
"mouse look" feature.
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Above: The top screen and lower touch
screens area on the DS. |
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Graphics
The console version enjoyed 128-bit graphics, but the DS
only has the equivalent of a Nintendo 64-bit capability.
As such, the full 3D engine has been squeezed in to a combination
of basic 3D maps with sprite overlays for the players hands
and onscreen enemies.
Although necessary for performance on the DS, the use of
sprites instead of 3D characters limits the animation and
scaling quality. You can expect to see countless identical
goons all die in exactly the same way.
This compromise does lead to a smooth frame rate though,
which peaks at 60fps and only lowers to around 30fps when
the action gets really intense.
The overall look of the game can best be compared to the
classic Doom and Duke Nukem games on the PC from yesteryear.
It is apparent that GRA borrowed quite a few of the techniques
those games used to make the most of limited processing
power. |
Multi-Player
If it wasn't for the heavily restricting unlocks (more on those
later), you could easily forget the single player campaign. As
with the console version - before the cutbacks - a strong focus
during development has been the multiplayer experience. Combined
with the DS wi-fi capability, playing GRA amongst a gaggle of
players could not be easier. For those set-ups with only one game
cartridge, the experience is limited to one map and one mode and
an impressive 8 players, but is certainly better than nothing.
The real experience comes when all players have a game cartridge
and can take part in any of the four play modes.
Originally planned for the console version, but ultimately axed
at the last minute due to pressures to get the game out on time,
the DS version enjoys bots so single players can experience some
of the multiplayer modes. But don't expect to mix both as you
would with a PC FPS game, as bots and human players can not be
combined in team games. The AI of the bots is as clunky as the
single player game though, so you can't really hone your MP skills
on your own.
Sound
Just as things we looking up for the DS version... The sound for
GRA on the DS is dreadful, and clearly a low priority during development.
The music is not even comparable to the average 16-bit console
game from yesteryear, but thankfully there is an option to lower
the music volume and leave yourself with the SFX. But they will
slowly drive you crazy too, as the samples are of low quality
(for space reasons) and the lack of variety, especially goon deaths
and weapon effects, will quickly become tiresome. GRA is definitely
not a game for players using headphones.
Order Now
UK
- MI6 Price: £24.99
USA
- MI6 Price: $29.99 |
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Overall
GRA will enjoy good sales on the DS largely because it is
the first FPS game on the platform. The lack of polish,
poor presentation, unbearable music, and game engine/AI
niggles is perhaps due to EA's priority to get this game
to the market before the much anticipated "Metroid
Prime Hunters" later this year. The storyline is even
more compressed and illogical as the console version, but
then this could be said about many earlier FPS games.
The main critique of GRA on the DS though is the unlocks
system. Almost every map, extra and multiplayer skin has
to be unlocked by success in the single player campaign.
Hopefully cheats will be discovered to unlock full the joys
of the MP games without having to wade through the campaign
missions.
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Despite these short comings, GRA on the DS is a fairly solid game
that "does exactly what it says on the tin". You should
not expect thrilling single player games or polished gameplay, but
you can look forward to meaty multiplayer games, smooth graphics,
and the stonking novelty factor of playing an FPS game on the DS.
The excellent control system is its seminal achievement, and will
have many DS fans lording it over the Sony PSP for some time to
come.
| Pros |
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Cons |
| Brilliant control system |
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Very restrictive unlocks system |
| First FPS title on the DS |
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Game engine niggles |
| Good multiplayer features (when unlocked) |
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Lack of varied animations |
| Smooth graphics |
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Dreadful sound |
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| Gameplay |
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| Visuals |
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| Audio |
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| Single Player Campaign |
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| Multiplayer |
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| Longevity |
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| Overall
MI6 Rating |
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"GoldenEye: Rogue Agent" pack shot,
images, screenshots and concept art copyright EA Games.
