Of Bond Games and Buffalo Wings: Goldeneye Wii vs. Blood Stone

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Written by Ryan Johnson Saturday, 20 November 2010 05:00

 

I thought this would be easy. “Line up a Month of Bond!” I say. “Play Goldeneye AND Blood Stone, review them for the people!” I say. “Compare them for gamers on a budget!” I say. Two out of three, easy. This last one is proving difficult.

If you look back on N4G where I posted links to these articles, both got the same review score from me. Identical. As a Bond aficionado, I can say both games give you a gripping James Bond experience. Both have great controls, good graphics, and gameplay that keeps you coming back for more. Suddenly, my mind flashed to another one of my ever-present dilemmas:

Who here likes B-Dub’s? If you don’t have a Buffalo Wild Wings in your area, I’m sorry. A great establishment, they do more than simple Buffalo wings. Fourteen flavors in a range of heats and tastes. I have tried most every flavor they have, and have tried to find my perfect flavor; at one time my favorite was the Captain Morgan sauce. Unfortunately, it is no longer available. Now, I’m between Teriyaki and Mango Habanero. My debate between these two flavors is similar to my debate between Goldeneye Wii and Blood Stone.

Teriyaki: the second mildest flavor on the menu. Goldeneye Wii: the more stealthy of the two games. Both have hidden flavors: in Goldeneye it is the extra mission objectives and the subtle variety of ways to get you through the missions. It has the local multiplayer of yore and the honorary tributes to the original, as the Teriyaki hints me toward the flavors of my missing Captain Morgan sauce.

Mango Habanero. Clocking in three from the spiciest they have, this sauce is not so hot it brings pain, but delivers a solid kick. Blood Stone IS a Bond film. In my previous review, I discussed how the hand-holding through the game gives you the necessary urge to press through. It’s subtle enough for you to grasp the story (FYI, I’d put, say, the Crank series of films up there at “Blazin”), but solid enough for a wild ride.

And, Captain Morgan. The sauce I yearn for. The one that is no longer being made, that I haven’t had for ages. If I actually got it and started eating it again a lot, I’d probably realize there was a reason it was taken off the menu, and it’s not all I’ve imagined it to be. (Read: Goldeneye 64. Great memories, but times have moved on...and so have I.)

So what can I say? I purchased Goldeneye, and simply rented Blood Stone. Sometimes, people can only pick for several reasons: due to budgets, or they can only ask for one for Christmas. Which one do you get? This is much like sitting in B-Dubs and being told I can’t split flavors between six wings.

Therefore, I put it to you like this. Are you a Teriyaki kind of Bond fan? Do you long for the nostalgia of The Great Bond Game, and want that to return? Are you into the subtle flavor of a variety of missions and miss the uniqueness of local multiplayer? Then Goldeneye Wii is for you.

Or are you more of a Mango Habanero fan? Are you looking for a smack-you-in-the-face James Bond ride that hits hard and fast and doesn’t stop until the plate is clean? A thrill ride where the flavor is consistent throughout and is what you expected, no more, no less? The head Blood Stone’s way.

Let it be said, though, that at Buffalo Wild Wings, I NEVER heed that voice that says “just six wings.” Just like my wing flavors, I now want both games! Bring me 12 wings, my waitress, split the flavors between my two loves!

If you are a true Bond fan, add up the amount of money you would have spent going to the movie and getting a box of popcorn, etc., for the Bond film that didn’t come out this year, and realize you can, and SHOULD get BOTH! As the franchise is still on shaky legs, any and all potential sales for it will do nothing but bolster interest in the series and regain stability in the movie franchise that much faster. But if you’re truly down to the wire, and must choose, it’s all a matter of flavor.

 

Comments  

 
# Mokopa 2010-11-21 07:59
After reading your review, i realise you have not even started reviewing Blood stone or Goldeneye. What about sound, graphics, gameplay, AI, etc?
 
 
# Ryan Johnson 2010-11-23 10:50
Check out my individual reviews elsewhere on this site for that kind of info.
 
 
# Ferrari 2011-01-20 22:14
B-Dubs is awesome! Mango Habanero is certainly a spicy one. I personally like the Honey BBQ. 8)
 
 
# Kenny007 2011-01-31 13:37
This article made me check their site and confirm that there were no Buffalo Wild Wings locations in my area (I still don't know much about CT). Imagine my surprise when I found out there was not 1, but 3 locations within 20 minutes! I think I'm going to have to give them a try; I've been hard pressed to find a replacement to the WingStop I lived near when in the service.
 

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