Review - GoldenEye 007 (Wii)

The Wii isn't exactly known for its first-person-shooters, but GoldenEye 007 is an exception. It is a game that carries the legacy of the 1997 Nintendo 64 classic, and therefore expectations are high. Eurocom, a studio that has had a long history with the James Bond franchise, had the task of updating this game for a new generation of gamers and hardware. However, due to first person shooters progressing rapidly in the decade-or-so since the original version was released, the game has been completely reimaged to bring it up to modern expectations. This includes a complete overhaul of basic aspects of the game such as the control scheme and the route you are able to take in stages, but also significant changes to the graphics and gameplay, along with the complete rewriting of the script. Has this meant that from all the changes, the memories that many will be longing to revisit have been tampered with unnecessarily?


The plot has been modified to fit with the current, darker style of the James Bond films, and includes two cast members - Daniel Craig and Judi Dench - who both have voicework featured in the game, whilst Daniel Craig's Bond is used as the character model. All other characters have also had their appearances altered from the original film. Seeing as the appearance of the film has inevitably become dated, a more modern appearance is welcome.

During the opening chapter of the game, the you are introduced to the various gameplay mechanics, such as the excellent ‘breach’ sections. In these, you are allowed a section of slowed down time to shoot the soldiers (they are usually interrogating someone) in the room. This 'bullet-time' style sequence allows you to really appreciate the graphical fidelity achieved on a console as underpowered as the Wii. A disappointment in the story mode though, is the lack of any form of grenade in your arsenal, which is odd due to enemies using them to attack at frequent points in the game. However, grenades are in plentiful supply for the multiplayer mode, something that has now become standard in FPS’s. GoldenEye doesn’t disappoint with this mode, with the offering of both split screen and online play – the split screen mode supports up to four players, whereas the latter has room for eight. Online multiplayer is provided through the free Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service, with ‘free’ being a prime price to pay for fantastic online (a step up from Xbox Live ;D). Multiplayer includes characters from the single player campaign, like the previously mentioned James Bond and Alec Trevelyan, as well as classic series villains including Jaws and Oddjob. Additionally, online multiplayer offers XP progression, unlockables and achievements. Split screen combat provides over a dozen modifiers, with Paintball Mode returning from the original game.In all, Goldeneye 007 is a fantastic remake, and one that I think vastly improves on the basis of the original game. With a sumptuous plot, graphics as realistic as the Wii can handle and incredibly addictive online play, Eurocom have created an essential title!