Perfect Dark is a great game.. but bad controls and a laggy online mode seem to put a hamper on the experience.
But the "moving" crosshair that worked so well with the n64 controller, is an absolute nightmare on an xbox controller. I believe the "moving crosshair" is what sort of plagued the 1st two Timesplitter games (as well - also made by same guys). Then they finally got it right with Timepsplitters Future Perfect, with the option of having the crosshair set to "fixed" (the way most fps games are). I believe rare could fix this in a patch if they wanted to. But being a $10 game.. I wouldn't hold my breath (but you never know).
Also the c-buttons (mapped to the joystick) is bs. The c-buttons on the n64 controller where digital buttons (one speed only - always run). Gameplay is changed completely if your familiar with the turok, duke nukem, goldeneye 1.2 solitaire, type of control schemes. Not saying the movement is bad how it is.. but instead of the analog movement (push stick forward lightly - walk, push stick forward heavily - run).. I'd rather always be sprinting (which was the advantage of using the c-buttons in the 1st place). Would be nice to have a movement option: normal / always run.
Online is a blast.. when there is no lag (which is very rare). They definitely need to re fine tune all of the coding and such because 90% of the time, the lag is almost unbearable. The thought behind having an additional 4 more players (total of 8) is also very appealing. But this game along with goldeneye is more suitable for 4 (maybe 6). Because most of the levels seemed designed with 4 players in mind. 8 players for some levels brings on to much spawn killing (which is very annoying).
PD also needs filters for online. If you want to play games with auto-aim on/off etc.. because since the aiming is so bad in this version (I play with auto-aim on). Also being a die hard fps player i am usually 100% anti auto -aim for shooters, but with this version of the game there is no choice.
I hope they come out with a patch for this game (to address the issues, i've stated). Until then.. guess I'll have to hold on to my Perfect Dark N64 version (still being the superior game). The only thing this xbox version has over the original is the graphical facelift and online capability (if it only worked right).
ps. where is the option to turn the "voice volume" all the way down? I'd much rather just have subtitles instead.. like goldeneye did. Because people talking without moving their lips now a days is pretty scary... don't you think?