Quantum of Solace , the game, puts you in Daniel Craig's shoes as secret agent James Bond as you attempt to bring down terrorists. The game is based on the feature films Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace and is powered by the Call of Duty 4 engine.
The game successfully translates the films' action and excitement into game form, with missions resembling actual events that transpired in the movies. And just like the movies, the game is full of flair and style. Close attention to detail makes the game feel like a true Bond adventure.
The gameplay boils down to “cover and shoot,” where you find cover behind walls and other objects and take down the enemies by either carelessly shooting in their direction and hoping the rain of bullets takes them out, or peeking out from behind your cover to more accurately aim and fire. When you are behind cover the game switches to an over the shoulder, 3rd person perspective, which then quickly switches to 1st person as soon as you detach yourself from your cover. The perspective transition occurs seamlessly and helps to mix things up, providing players with a choice of how to play. Go in guns blazing, in 1st person view, or take your time behind a wall, in 3rd person view.
Speaking of guns blazing, Bond has tons of awesome weapons at his disposal. Everything from his trademark pistol with silencer, to a weapon that fires mini grenades. Other weapons include machine guns, shotguns and everyone's favorite, the sniper rifle.
Locales vary from a jungle to a museum and even a snowy mountain side where a train battle is tossed in to the mix. I would advise you not to give up on the game as it does take a while to get the ball rolling, but once it does it's pretty much non-stop action until the end. However, don't expect much variety as the objectives differ only slightly. As mentioned, the game is nothing more than a “cover and shoot” game. Take out the enemies in this room, then take out the enemies in that room. Repeat.
Visually, the game is a toss up. Certain locales are quite impressive with nice lighting and destructible environments that add to the experience, while other locations are just plain bland and uninspired. Balancing things out is the game's exquisite soundtrack. Its intenseness helps keep the adrenaline pumping as you're surrounded by the enemy, bullets riddling the screen.
Overall, Quantum of Solace in an enjoyable shooter that unfortunately suffers from its short single player campaign and repetitive gameplay mechanics. Although the experience is enjoyable, the game doesn't do anything that hasn't already been done by previous shooters and because of that can only be a recommended purchase for Bond aficionados. For the rest of you, a one week rental is all you'll ever need.
Based on the feature films 'Casino Royale' and 'Quantum of Solace,' the game, puts you in Daniel Craig's shoes as secret agent James Bond as you attempt to bring down terrorists.
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