007: Nightfire

Reviewed By: Tony Alano
VOLUNTEER GUEST REVIEWER

GAME TECH INFO

Computer Platform: PC, Xbox, PS2, Gamecube
Produced by: EA Games
Price Range: $21-30
Learning curve time: 1-30 min.
Age level: Mature Teen to Adult
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
System Requirements: Windows 95-XP; 450 MHZ Intel Pentium or 500 MHZ AMD Athlon processor; 128 MB RAM; 1.2 GB free space; 16 MB supported Open GL capable video card with Open GL and Direct X 8.0 compatible driver

Overall Rating: NR
Genre: First Person Shooter
Christian Rating: 2 of 5
   (offensive)
Gameplay: 3 of 5
   (average)
Violence: 2 of 5
   (heavy)
Adult Content: 2 of 5
   (heavy)

007 Nightfire. Illustration copyrighted.

James Bond has been in and out of the gaming world, rising to fame with the N64 game, “Goldeneye” then pretty much staying quiet. With the release of 007: Nightfire, Bond fans have a lot to expect to a sequel of Goldeneye. Luckily, Nightfire succeeds graphically and gameplay-wise but it's sexual content does not really appeal very well.

The graphics of the game are well done, and the areas look realistic and believable. One of the early missions takes place in a mansion and is very fun to play in. The character designs are very well done and fine details can be spotted from far away. The only problem is that in large areas the frame rate would drop down and the game would become choppy, even on a fast machine. Other than that single flaw, the graphics were well done.

Audio in the game varies. Sound effects is very good and all the weapon shots and other effects sound very realistic. In fact, sometimes you can sneak up to two people talking and make out their conversations, and this actually helps in the game when you learn something from their talk. Music, on the other hand, is the downside of the audio. The music is looped very obviously and is very boring and repetitive. When a shootout starts, the music will change to a fast paced tune, but it just isn't enough to bring up the boring tracks.

The gameplay is mission-oriented as with other Bond titles. Although the game only has 9 levels, the objectives are evenly distrubuted throughout the missions and each mission has it's share of objectives. Also, each mission takes place in a seperate place (with a few exceptions) so the game won't get boring. However, while some objectives are fun, others drag the game with boring tasks such as the "find a computer and hack into it" type. Some of them are also unclear and usually beaten by chance instead of actually knowledge of what to do. Weapons are plentiful but mostly the same and get boring very quickly.

Screenshot

The worst aspect of the game is the sexual content in it. Bond seemed kind of perverted throughout the levels, staring at women's backsides, commenting on how tight their dresses are, and kisses multiple amounts of women madly throughout the game. It also doesn't help that in one level, “helpless” women are scattered around the level and you must rescue them. In fact, one is in a bath when you rescue her, while she is wearing a much revealing towel. Was this all really necessary?

Basically, 007: Nightfire tries to live up to it's N64 predecessor but does not succeed very well. It adds nothing new to the FPS genre and it's content is very questionable. While the game might be pleasing to look at, graphics are not all that make up a game. It is very disappointing to see a game with so much potential be ruined as it was.

Year of Release—2002

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this Christian Spotlight review are those of the reviewer (both ratings and recommendations), and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Films for Christ or the Christian Answers Network.