Perfect Dark (XBLA)

[Shadow Fire]

<div align="center"><img src="http://core.the-gcn.com/reviews/PDXBLA.png" border="0" class="linked-image" /></div><br /><br /><b>Director:</b> Martin Hollis<br /><br /><b>Producers:</b> Rare, 4J Studios<br /><br /><b>Music:</b> David Clynick, Grant Kirkhope, Graeme Norgate<br /><br /><b>Starring:</b> Eveline Fischer, Tony Daniels, Louise Tilston<br /><br /><b>Rating:</b> <img src="http://core.the-gcn.com/reviews/rating/5stars.png" border="0" class="linked-image" /><br /><br /><br /><b><u>Plot</u></b><br /><br />Many millions of years ago, a sentient space vessel crashed into Earth's Pacific Ocean. Called a Cetan, it contained a weapon that could, in theory, cause the failure of fundamental bonds between molecules. So as to feign its destruction, the Cetan sent an emergency pod, while destroying several key elements that could link it to its final resting place. Unfortunately, millions of years later, an alien race known as the Skedar, would find the pod and begin searching for the Cetan, their search leading them to Earth. <br /><br />

The Skedar were not the only alien race that had an interest in Earth. The Maians, the alien race often represented in Earth lore, have had interest in the human race for several millennia, believing them to have great potential, but remaining hidden, so as to let the development of the primitive species to proceed naturally. In 1985 AD, Daniel Carrington managed to contact a Maian vessel, thereby establishing a link between the two peoples, in secret. The Maians agreed to let him "develop" their technology, and the Carrington Institute was founded.<br /><br />

The Maians had fought the Skedar for several centuries, earning an uneasy cease-fire, but Skedar fanatics would always test this truce. The fanatics intended to wipe out the Maian race, but they needed help to recover the weapon from the Cetan. So they began searching for human companies that could help them. The dataDyne Corporation, famous for high-grade military technology, was at the top of the list. Cassandra deVries, dataDyne's C.E.O. was approached with an offer that was too good to be true. With help from corrupt N.S.A. head agent Trent Easton, the Skedar were closer to achieving their goal. All they needed was a ship that would take them to the bottom of the ocean, and an artificial intelligence that would help regain control.<br /><br />

The Carrington Institute was suddenly sent an urgent request for asylum by one of dataDyne's scientists, Dr Caroll. It seemed that he had voiced objections about dataDyne's plans, and the company was planning to perform mental restructuring as opposed to simply firing him. Due to the urgency of the request, as well as the possibility of getting an inside view to dataDyne, the Carrington Institute sent its best agent to retrieve Dr Caroll. Enter newly trained agent Joanna Dark. It is up to this femme fatale to ensure that the fate of the world, and of the galaxy, is not a grim one.<br /><br /><br /><b><u>Review</u></b><br /><br />I first played Perfect Dark on the N64 in 2001. As someone who conquered GoldenEye 007, I felt a similar game with a female protagonist would be even better. At first, I was overwhelmed, and unimpressed. Until I realised that I'd had the brightness set a little too low. Upon adjusting it, and playing again, I found it was a great, compelling game that drew away several hours of my days. The XBLA version expands on the original, improving graphics, while maintaining the feel of the original.<br /><br />

The graphics of the original were great for its time, and the XBLA improves the already awesome graphics of this N64 classic. Character models are improved, textures are replaced, and the resolution is upgraded to 1080p. One thing I do have a little gripe with is the new look of the Maians. On the N64, they were rather cute. On the XBLA, they look rather freaky, but we can't win 'em all. =P<br /><br />

The music is one of Perfect Dark's best features. All of the music suits its level perfectly, and makes you feel as if you are in the game. Many of the tracks include a secondary tune, which the game changes to when certain circumstances are met. Some tracks are even closely related to Banjo-Tooie, another game made by Rare around the same time. Sounds are also in abundance, and sampled vocals are included, allowing for voices to be heard. Another gripe I have is with many of these voices, specifically Joanna's. She's a bad-ass secret agent, and yet she sounds more like a counselor, or something.<br /><br />

The Missions are plentiful, allowing three main difficulty levels; Agent, Special Agent, and Perfect Agent. Each difficulty expands on the last. Agent is naturally the easiest, giving the least amount of objectives, more powerups, and a less intelligent AI system. Special Agent is an intermediate system which provides a little more challenge, while Perfect Agent challenges players with the most objectives, a super-smart AI, and less powerups. The higher a difficulty, the more damage Joanna takes from weapons fire. If the game is completed in Perfect Agent, a new mode is unlocked, Perfect Dark, which allows players to set the health and accuracy of the enemies, as well as how much damage you take from enemy weapons. Aside from these customisations, Perfect Dark setting plays exactly like Perfect Agent, in that the number of objectives, and general difficulty is much higher.<br /><br />

Like other FPS games, Perfect Dark has its own multiplayer mode, complete with different scenarios. There are also challenges you can compete in to increase your game ranking. Another bonus to this game is the ability to add computer players (bots) to the game. When in Combat Simulator mode, these bots can work on your team, or against you. Bots have a range of difficulty settings, as well as custom rules. There are also two other multiplayer modes that are based on the single player campaign mode; Co Operative and Counter Operative. Co Operative allows another player to play alongside Joanna, helping her complete missions. Counter Operative allows a second player to control an enemy in an attempt to eliminate Joanna. Whenever a player controlled guard is killed, the second player respawns as another guard elsewhere. This can be advantageous to Joanna's player, in that the counter operative can still kill "comrades", allowing Joanna to complete the mission easier, acting as sort of a double agent.<br /><br /><br /><b><u>Overall</u></b><br /><br />I loved the game on the N64, and I love it even more on the XBLA. Most of the bugs on the N64 version (namely framerate issues) have been sorted, allowing for a much nicer play. In short, if you have 800 Microsoft Points, and love FPS games, I recommend you get this. You won't be disappointed.