It's not Halo, but that's good news for fans of Rare FPS games and those who just need a sold shooter for their new 360
While Halo succeeded in accomodating console controls with it's slowed down movement and aiming rates, Rare found a different solution to the controler problem than Bungie did... one that focuses more on zoomed, percision aiming and accuracy (as opposed to Halos 'spray and pray,' auto-aimed approach.) Perfect Dark Zero plays like an enhanced version of the original's gameplay, which is a good thing. They kept the basic formula similar to the N64 games, but added some new moves and slick graphics that keep Perfect Dark Zero from feeling stale.
Gameplay
In this reviewers opinion, Rare handles FPS controls for consoles better than anyone, including the great Halo, which feels sluggish and innacurate by comparison. Not much has changed here control wise from the days of Goldeneye, which fans will be immediately thankful for. The feeling of getting a successful headshot from a concealed position is really hard to beat, and there's a definate emphasis on aiming for specific parts of your target... usually their head. The weapons are numerous, and for the most part excellent in terms of their power and percision. Secondary, and occasionally tertiary firing modes really spice things up and allow for players to pick a style of play based on their favorite weapons. Dual wielding is also back, thankfully, although doing so comes at the expense of your secondary fire and aiming features.
The new combat roll and cover moves are new to the series, and both add a defensive element to gameplay that was lacking in previous iterations. The roll manuever is helpful in avoiding turret and small arms fire, and works wonderfully as a means of getting out of trouble in a hurry. Cover works equally well, and allows players to aim while keeping safe. While this might seem cheap or unfair to some, it does allow the game to put players in more heated situations than the earlier Rare shooters did, and I therefore applaud it's inclusion. In addition to the defensive moves, players can now sprint when unarmed, which is a nice tradeoff. Finally, unarmed characters can both disarm enemies, as well as influence the occasional unsuspecting gaurds. None of the new features get in the way of Rare's good old rock-solid FPS gameplay, and allow the series to evolve without changing the core shooting elements that fans have come to revere.
Singleplayer missions are a blast, and are widely varied in terms of what they ask of you. The ability to play co-operateively is a welcome addition as well, and you can tell Rare really took the time to differentiate the missions from the singleplayer game by adding cooperative objectives. Use of gadgets is well implemented, and the game lets you choose your gadget/weapon loadout at the beginning of each mission to allow the player some freedom regarding how they wish to tackle the objectives. Multiplayer is also well done, and many game modes are included which approximate those found in popular online shooters like Day of Defeat and Counterstrike. Other unique game modes are included, making this the most robust online experience available to 360 FPS fans.
Another neat thing about Perfect Dark Zero is the fact that harder missions reward players with more objectives. It's not as though ramping up the difficulty merely makes baddies tougher, the game actually adds things for you to do with each level of difficulty. Therefore, the only way to see everything the designers put into the game is to play on the hardest difficulty, which is a compelling reason to give it a try. It's the only setting I play on, and it's certainly a challenge, albiet a rewarding one.
Graphics
Wow! After all the rumors that Perfect Dark Zero wasn't coming together graphically, it sure was a relief when I fired it up on lauch day and was rewarded with some of the most stylized, beautiful eye candy I've ever seen anywhere. It is important to note, however, that the game doesn't attempt to be realistic in appearence. The characters look like cartoon action figures, not the ultra real models found in games like Call of Duty 2. Nontheless, the game has style and polish dripping from every nook and cranny. You can really see the level of detail Rare included into all facets of the game's appearence, which was no doubt facilitated by the games 6 year
Sound
The soundtrack really stands out in Perfect Dark Zero. It's a mixture of classic Bond spy music and modern electronica, and it enhances the actiont terrificly. The sound effects and voice acting are also well done, but it's the score that will stick with you most of all. Really top drawer material.
Story
The story is pretty standard cloak and dagger fare... although it is exciting for fans of the N64 classic to see Joanna's origins as a spy. As I have not completed the game, I can't comment beyond the 1st few levels, which set the stage nicely for Jo's evolution into a super badass. Perhaps I will come back and update this section upon completion of the singleplayer campaign... on Perfect difficulty, of course!
So if you have been on the fence, don't be... Perfect Dark Zero is an amazing accomplishment that will be fondly remembered for years to come. I honestly can't believe how good it turned out after hearing all the negative comments made about it during it's numerous previews at various gaming expositions. Make no mistake... this game is NOT like Halo. It is more of a finesse sort of affair that will demand more percision than console shooter fans are perhaps accustomed to. That being said, the game will push you to improve your skills as a gamer along the same lines as Ninja Gaiden, which was challenging, yet ultimately rewarding. Impatient gamers looking to blow through the game as quickly as possible perhaps won't find themselves liking this game, which puts story on the back burner. This game is all about action, not storytelling. Shooter fans with a modicum of patience and the desire to become better gamers will not be sorry.