Perfect Dark Zero Earns a 9.0 from GameSpot

[fitbabits]

GameSpot (http://www.gamespot.com) are first out the blocks with their review (http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/perfectdarkzero/review.html?sid=6140242) of Perfect Dark Zero - and it's good news to those who've been on the fence.

This awesome, high-tech first-person shooter champions the Xbox 360 with its excellent assortment of single- and multiplayer game types, as well as its incredible good looks and dynamic, intense action.

The Good: Awesome presentation, featuring cutting-edge graphics and sound; delicious assortment of high-powered near-future weapons; excellent cooperative mission mode lets you play split screen or online; lots of multiplayer options, including some clever twists on familiar themes; one of the best original soundtracks this year.

The Bad: Characters can look ugly up close, plus some other minor graphical glitches; some missions are frustrating, especially since you can't save midmission; pretty weak storyline is incidental to all the action.

Sweet - I'm sold. I'm also really happy that both this and Kameo have been so well received by the gaming press. It's early days for PD Zero, but it's a good start.

[The Iron Weasel]

Damn, your post made it through before mine. But I'm sold aswell, Kasavin rarely dissapoints (except for that Chaos Theory fiasco!) so I will be a early adopter aswell! It looks like Microsoft is starting to get their money's worth, I personally think they started getting their money's worth with Conker, but most of you guys seem to disagree.

[KamaItachi]

I just read this, but I thought at least a few folks would beat me to the punch on it so didn't bother submiting.

Good news all around.

[Suicidal ShiZuru]

I love the mix of "cutting-edge graphics" and "Characters can look ugly up close, plus some other minor graphical glitches."

[Heretic Machine]

Like I've been saying since I got it yesterday, this game trumps Halo 2's multiplayer in every way.

[IndependentGMR]

I have the damn game! I'll be leaving to pick up my 360 in a few minutes.

[Mr_Snuffle]

Wait... no in missing saving, and only the odd check point?

Fail. I don't care how good a game is, anything that makes me pointlessly play the same things over and over again doesn't get a purchase.

[Suicidal ShiZuru]

Good save systems are one damn thing all games need to have now... Any time in a game I want to be able to save. In the middle of a burst from my weapon - save. In the middle of a boss fight - save. But nooooo.

[Morrolan]

Yummy, yummy crow.

Oh well, I'm happy to have been wrong.

[Deadend]

Is Elvis the ET in this one? I loved Perfect Dark on the 64.

[Wonka]

WOW. I didn't expect that. It sounds like MS may have another killer app after all.

[MaiXu]

Wow. I am really excited for the 360 now.

[PantherModern]

Yup, I'm currently eating my own words. Welcome back to the world of AAA developers, Rare.

[rein]

Wow, just wow... ..I've been playing it and so far I'm just not seeing the 9.0 score. Maybe when I get a little deeper in the single player game I will like it more. Multiplayer has been ok the few games I have played but I don't think it beats Halo 2. I will give it some more time but I don't think I am ever going to feel it is a 9.0 game.

[Wonka]

Maybe Perfect Dark Zero is just not for you Rein? I have a good friend who HATES splinter cell. Hates it. And there is little disputing that Splinter Cell is a fun game (amongst most people). Personally, I kind of find Halo to be a little bit on the slow and floaty side, which I sometimes find to be slightly irritating. But that's just my taste... I still can recognize that it's a great game.

[H.Bogard]

I love the mix of "cutting-edge graphics" and "Characters can look ugly up close, plus some other minor graphical glitches."

True....I just cant figure out why people kiss Kasavin's ass so much. Hes an asshole.

[Savok]

I'm shocked they managed to get Rare to do anything on time, this is either rushed (doesn't sound like it) or they've managed to get Rare into working order. Good work MS, still doesn't make me give a shit about PDZ though.

[MosBen]

Checkpoint systems can be really annoying in some cases and work well in others. On the other hand quick saving systems can be a real crutch that players rely on, but are really convenient if you need to run out quickly. Total control is not, however, some kind of moral imperative. There are legitimate design reasons to not let people save anywhere. Developers just need to be careful that when they choose a checkpoint system the game doesn't get frustrating with having to repeat long sections of a game over and over.

[Captain Awesome]

Like I've been saying since I got it yesterday, this game trumps Halo 2's multiplayer in every way.


PD0 has vehicles???

[H.Bogard]

PD0 has vehicles???
No.....but the lead character has boobs.

[Metal Jesus]

Honestly, if Gamespot gives this game a excellent review, I'm sold. They are so hard on games, that anything over an 8.5 is probably a kick-ass game!

[The Iron Weasel]

No.....but the lead character has boobs.

Its true, that makes it better. :rolleyes:

[Vandenh]

Ouch... I guess Borys got owned :)

Kinda amazing... looks like 360 is the first console to launch with 4 games that have gotten near 9 scores on GS? PGR3, PDZ, Kameo and CoD2? I must say that *is* truely impressive. Looks like Microsoft got it right after all. I am betting that DAO will also get a close 9.

Looks like it will be PDZ and PGR3 for me.

[Captain Awesome]

No.....but the lead character has boobs.

So thats a "No, its not better than Halo 2?" :p

[Manzy]

I can't believe Rare pulled through, and I was so sure this title would suck.

Can't say I'm mad it doesn't suck though...

[Borys]

Ouch, that was the first and last time I try to predict a score. Never did it before, never will do again. Learned my lesson, the hard way :)

Ouch... I guess Borys got owned

You can say that again, Vandenh!

[earthworm48]

After I saw the shots back in May I wasn't very hopeful. However Edge's feature a couple of months ago put my faith back in the title even though most people still wanted to pick holes really badly. Glad to see GK liked it.

[Savok]

It might still suck, the whole inhale/shiny new toy thing might be inflating the scores a bit.

Still, it looks like the most solid launch lineup since... I don't know actually.

[Morratut]

I'm sold. This is one of my launch titles now. Just needed a good review to make sure it wasn't going to dissapoint. Looking forward to this :)

Wait... no in missing saving, and only the odd check point?


Yes and you know what this gives you? A very very tense game. I can't wait to play this on a harder difficulty setting being very wary and having to be on the ball to unlock stuff.

I also like the sound of all the different options for mp. Stealing someones gun and killing them with their own weapon will be funny on Live.

This and PGR3 for me i think now :D

[Savok]

Yes and you know what this gives you? A very very tense game.
Or a very, very frustrating one.

[Reanimated]

Haters just got a Rare meat injection in the poop chute.

[Morratut]

Or a very, very frustrating one.

Yes you do sometimes get frustrated but thats part of the fun.

I would rather say...

'I had a good game last night I got to a point where i was swamped by 50 guys and they wiped me out. I eventually found a strategy to do it though. I killed them al by using weapon X.'

It's much better then a game massaging your ego and not being a challenge to you. If a game is too easy and you save every 1 minute it gets boring in my opinion.

I would rather have a game where your presented with a challenge. For me i get a great buzz after I have done it.

Each to their own I guess. :)

RE4 had good save points and so did Halo1 and 2. Ninja Gaiden was a bit hardcore but I got a lot of single player kicks from that game.

[Savok]

Very simple then, don't save every minute.

Some folk want the experience, others want the challenge, we have both already (just don't save), this is a step back. In keeping with Perfect Dark 1 though.

[bapenguin]

Well...I picked this up yesterday on a whim...and I was very impress. The game has come a LONG way in 6 weeks. The build I played must have been an older one because the graphics are polished, the controls are tighter (i'm still on the fence if I like them or not), and the sound and music is great. They also added checkpoints in the missions. Excellent.

[Conner Dain]

This game (and COD2) just nearly made me re-think waiting to buy a 360. They both look sweet.

[The Iron Weasel]

Stupid Rare....making me buy a system for their games....bastards....

[EternalGamer]

Very simple then, don't save every minute.

Some folk want the experience, others want the challenge, we have both already (just don't save), this is a step back. In keeping with Perfect Dark 1 though.

Every game should not subject itself to the immediate demands of the user. That is what we call "dumbing down" the experience, and in the case of Perfect Dark, I certainly think adding instant saves would certainly dumb it down. It would lose the tension about making it through the missions. It is not intended to be played like a simple twitch shooter. Some games quicksaves simply don't belong. It would be stupid to be able to quick save in a racing game for example, or a platformer before every jump. Part of the tension in those games is built around pulling off a SERIES of challenges, not just one. The same applies for Perfect Dark.

Dan

[divinechaos]

Anyone who played the N64 version will have no problem with the lack of checkpoint. Suck it up, dont b a bitch and be glad this game doesnt suck.