James Bond 007 in Agent Under Fire

UPC: 014633144369

Platform: Nintendo GameCube

Publisher: EA Games

Developer: EA Redwood Shores

Category: Shooter

Style(s): First-Person Shooter

Synopsis: Agent Under Fire for GameCube is a port of the November 2001 PlayStation 2 game with a few added features. As in the original, players slip into the world-renowned secret agent's tuxedo to battle enemies on foot and from behind the wheel in a series of 12 levels alternating between first-person shooter and combat racing sequences. The game also features an original story with cinematic cut-scenes and voice-overs in between levels. The GameCube version allows play against computer-controlled bots in Multiplayer mode. Up to three bots can be selected in two of the five play modes (Combat Training and Top Agent). Ten of the 12 included maps support computer opponents, whose appearance, skill (easy, medium, hard), team color, and aggression (low, medium, high) can be set before play begins. Also new to this version is the ability to choose from three difficulty settings before accepting a mission. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Package Contents: Registration Card

Controls: Joystick/Gamepad

The manual explains each gadget, weapon, and multiplayer feature, along with brief bios of the main characters. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Wonderfully detailed backgrounds make you want to keep playing just to see the next locale. A nice touch is that bullets are clearly marked with streaks, making it easier to avoid (and spot) enemy gunfire. The only weakness is some of the character models look too angular. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

After two great titles on the N64, GoldenEye 007 and the surprise hit The World is Not Enough, Nintendo owners expect great things from their Bond games, not to mention their first-person shooters in general. Agent Under Fire doesn't live up to either of these titles in terms of depth or challenge, but it does offer a more complete package of what's normally found in an action-packed 007 movie. Players will drive through the streets of Budapest while in a BMW, shoot down helicopters from inside an armored tank, and snap pictures within an enemy compound. The variety of stages keeps things fresh, while the overall presentation is the best seen from the franchise to date. While Agent Under Fire is yet another port from a PlayStation 2 game, a few changes were made for your eyes only. The multiplayer levels can now be played against the computer, offering a nice boost in the game's longevity. Computer opponents are not the brightest crayons in the box, often repeatedly falling for the same tactics, but their skill level can be adjusted and when they are equipped with the right weapons, they can be competitive. It's also nice to be able to fill spots on the roster when you only have one friend available to challenge -- games become more unpredictable with computer opponents entering the fray. Another slight change to the GameCube version is the ability to choose the difficulty setting right from the level select screen instead of having to go through the options menu. This is a matter of convenience when trying to earn the medals on a particular stage, as it was not always clear in the PS2 game if you were playing on Operative, 00 Agent, or Agent. Otherwise, the game is nearly identical. Players rack up points while completing missions, which are used to determine the quality of medal awarded at the end of a stage. Earn a gold medal and a cheat, such as unlimited missiles, or a feature, like using the Golden Gun as a weapon, will unlock. Missions are straightforward and linear in nature, with things like locked doors forcing players to go about their task in a specific manner. Problems include somewhat awkward controls that use all of the buttons instead of streamlining certain functions, such as using gadgets, opening doors, or shooting a gun, which all require separate presses. Selecting weapons can also be a pain during the heat of battle, but you learn to adjust. The biggest gripe is the missions aren't very long or difficult, even on the hardest setting. Enemies always appear in fixed locations, so players will be able to breeze through levels for the most part until the very end. Still, the game does a great job in making you feel you are in a Bond movie, with the theme song playing during certain sequences, such as driving over a fiery bridge, or shooting a fuel canister to defeat guards positioned nearby. The incentive to earn better medals is a fun excuse to re-experience the fun of getting behind a mounted chain gun or seeing how many enemy vehicles you can destroy using your car's missiles or rockets. The pace of the game is excellent, even if the objectives never change, and the added bonus of four-player action on a split-screen cannot be ignored. Rare obviously does it better, but EA's game has enough style to warrant a spot in any 007 fan's library. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

The replay value is strong thanks to the multiplayer mode, which can be played against computer opponents. While players can also repeat each stage to unlock hidden secrets, the objectives remain the same. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

The voice acting is top-notch, with the lone exception of a certain boss character who repeatedly taunts you. Sound effects are just as impressive, from the steady rattling of a chain gun to the subtle pops of a silenced pistol. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Most will be pleased with this release, but there is still room for improvement in the first-person shooter segments. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

the game requires Joystick/Gamepad.