A linear, overly scripted single-player shooter with a solid multiplayer component.

User Rating: 7 | GoldenEye 007 WII
Goldeneye 007 is a mixed bag. You have some great moments to be relived and a solid, diverse multiplayer component, but at the same time there are key issues that bring down the game as a whole.

There were some bright spots in the single-player portion (the tank mission was my favorite), but overall the experience was little more than linear shooting with a few can't-miss objectives thrown on top to as filler material. One thing that bugged me is that unlike the original Goldeneye 007 with the sprawling "Surface" snow levels and complex "Bunker" levels with winding hallways and multiple rooms, this game literally holds your hand from point to point, showing you the objectives along the way and offering no sense of large-scale environments or the ability to get lost exploring or finding/figuring out objectives like you could in the original game. The experience overall reminded me a heck of a lot like a Call of Duty title - not surprising considering Activision in the publisher and the multiplayer component is an obvious reskin of Modern Warfare.

As I mentioned just then, the multiplayer component is almost identical to Modern Warfare. You have several custom loadouts, each with primary and secondary weapons and a few perks. Just like in Modern Warfare, as you play matches, you gain levels and access to new weapons and perks. For me, the problem with multiplayer isn't the weapon handling or even map design (those are just fine) - it's the frame rate. In single-player the frame rate was inconsistent and sometimes downright bad, but in multiplayer I've found that it's constantly jerky and makes for a frustratingly slow, clunky experience. Based on how it feels to me, I'd estimate that the average frame rate can't be over 20 or 25. It's not unplayable, but it's bad enough so that it's a real chore to snipe and close quarters firefights feel awkward and herky jerky.

Overall, I would give the entire package 7/10 at best. The linear, overly-scripted levels and poor frame rate make this game feel more like a generic Call of Duty reskin than anything else. Granted, it's nice having oldschool scenes and characters here and there from the original Goldeneye, but as a whole, the single-player portion is nowhere near as memorable as that found in the original game. And although the multiplayer portion is solid and has potential for replay value with its many game modes and unlocks, the frame rate is a killer. In short: Good game, just not a great one.