Goldeneye Wii: First Impressions

Written by Ryan Johnson Friday, 05 November 2010 13:11

Welcome the start of Bond Month by answering the most burning gamer question for a Bond Fan: Is the Goldeneye Wii-make good? Click in to find out! Plus, a preview of future articles to keep MI-6 agents in the know all month long.

Image Gallery

Welcome, dear reader, to the Month of Bond. Traditionally, James Bond fans get their fill this month. New movies come out, and there's always a Bond Movie Marathon Thanksgiving weekend nearby (this one included!). Unfortunately, with Bond's License to Film currently under investigation, perhaps more agents are turning to their video game systems this year. We have not one, but TWO brand new video games: the new storyline found in 007: Bloodstone, and the much-hyped remake of the N64 classic, Goldeneye. This article centers around the burning question for those debating picking this up: does it do justice to the original?

I placed this in my system and hit start, ready for the throbbing bass noise followed by the traditional gunbarrel logo and Bond theme. After all, it's a remake, right? RIGHT? A quiet, smooth introduction greeted me, and that's when I realized...this is more than a remake. With Craig at the helm of Bond, it just wouldn't work to slap him in a Brosnan scenario. This game has been updated to Craig standards. It's grittier and less humorous. Action is more direct, and more painful. For example: Bond doesn't bungee jump off the dam. He is almost captured and flat-out JUMPS. This is the flavor difference you find in any Bond film and it is amazing how noticeable it is when you have a different Bond do the exact same script.

BUT THERE'S NO BROSNAN!!! so many are screaming. I refer you to From Russia With Love. I enjoyed this game as a Bond fan, but hearing the Old Connery voice as a Young Connery was just odd. Plus, the vintage style was VERY cool to me, but I'm sure it didn't go over well with modern gamers. Bond has to keep up with his crowd, and with the franchise in jeopardy right now, it is far better for them to pump interest in the current Bond than reminisce on how it used to be.

Levels: Flat out, the Dam is spot-on. You go through it differently, though. I think the Facility is the perfect example of the update. New level design, but it feels right. Even with a new layout, I was smiling as I dropped through the ducts into the bathroom, out into the halls to the science area, down to the tank room to drop the bombs...while different, all is there. The controls on the Classic Controller (by the way, the Limited Golden Controller is just FUN to have) feel like an update. You are still playing the same game. The pacing is right, Bond moves right. It feels like an update. A sequel, if you will. Bond's repertoire of moves is updated for the modern crowd, but still holding on to what made the first game magical.

All in all, the final synopsis of my first impressions is this: If you are new to the series, this is one of the best FPS games out there for the Wii right now. If you loved the game, you will love the remake. And if you are one of those who have been nitpicking this ever since you found out about it, tearing it up because it's so different...well, you probably have that Source mod I've heard about and have been playing online Goldeneye for years, so don't get this and disappoint yourself.

Myself, I found a character in the multiplayer mode named Boris. No Hawaiian shirt, but that's all it takes to make me happy again. I AM INVINCIBLE!!!

Be on the lookout for a Month of Bond through me here at GoozerNation. Coming soon: a full breakdown of the storyline mode of Goldeneye, After the First Multiplayer: does it feel like Back in the Day?, a full review of 007: BloodStone, and a compare/contrast of the two titles: which is the ultimate experience for the Bond fan on a budget? Bookmark our page, follow us on Twitter or Facebook, and get ready to be shaken...and stirred.