Score
Gameplay:	7
Graphics:	7
Sound:	9
FunFactor:	7
PlasmaFactor:	6
Overall:	7.2

Quantum of Solace Review
November 16, 2008 by Jereme Puik

With Quantum of Solace hitting the theatres, Quantum of Solace the game looks to take gamers on a trip down memory lane in hopes of becoming a new classic topping the 1997 smash hit, Goldeneye 64. We’ve waited a long time for another Bond game to fill the gaping hole in our hearts after Rare handed off the Bond license to other developers. Since then, the series has had its ups and downs and hasn’t quite found the consistency it needs to be a competent multiplayer and single player experience. Quantum of Solace (QoS) is no different and unfortunately falls behind in several areas, with a short single player campaign, there has to be something that can hold up QoS in replayability.

The Names Bond, James Bond

Built on the Call of Duty 4 engine, Quantum of Solace is a straight forward first-person shooter with a mix of third-person elements to make up the Bond experience. With un-inspired stealth moments and obligatory mini-games, you ultimately don’t feel like you’re actually Bond. The single-player campaign mostly consists of minor spoilers, but ends up lacking because it doesn’t provide for a great narrative. Without spoiling much, Quantum of Solace starts shortly after Casino Royale ends and literally only seconds after. Bond is after a terrorist organization called Quantum which is after the water supply in Bolivia and adds a bit of revenge plot to spice it up after the death of Vespa in Casino Royale.

Quantum of Solace, as I mentioned earlier, is a first-person shooter and thanks to the cover system quickly turns into a third-person shooter. The switch between the two positions is seamless and thankfully doesn’t give up much lag when dealing with large groups of enemies. The AI is surprisingly sharp and able to move from cover to cover without leaving themselves open for the easy kill, though there are a few that slip up. The default auto-aim helps especially during large firefights which you’ll be seeing a lot of. You’ll be using cover so make sure you find a good spot to camp. The cover system works for the most part and doesn’t feel too sticky (à la Gears of War style). The AI will try to flank you as well, either throwing flash grenades or ones of the explosive kinds.

Wasting no time, Bond is equipped with regenerating health and as you’re low on health, the series’ signature gun-barrel views will close in on screen, to warn you when you’re close to death. There are certainly some highlighting moments about the gameplay, but ultimately it’s a pretty linear experience. You’ll travel to different countries based on locales from the movies and take a weird trip through a flashback to Casino Royale. This break slows things down and feels awkward leaving you wondering if this was really necessary. The game ultimately focuses on the firefights with a few quick-time battles. This is where you’ll find most of the highlights from the game having you guiding a poisoned Bond to his car or the bomber chase scene.

You may be wondering about the stealth moments I mentioned early in the review? It’s about the most basic attempt at stealth you could possibly imagine. There are times where you’ll be sneaking around levels and taking down enemies one by one who are conveniently looking the other way. The only times when you will really feel like Bond is when enemies have their set patrol paths and you have to make sure you don’t cause alarm. The obligatory mini-game also comes into play here when you find yourself using the d-pad to unlock secured doors.

A multiplayer mode helps to build replayability over the short single-player campaign, which by the way lasts only a short 4-5 hours or so. This is about as long as the two movies combined and could’ve had room for a lot more narrative and less firefights, perhaps. The multiplayer actually has some variety that, thankfully, might keep players busy though not quite as long as Call of Duty 4 has. You can purchase weapons and upgrades to make the experience a little more satisfying. Most of your missions contain either having a rotating player use Bond to disarm bombs or eliminate the other agents in free-for-all. Not much to go around here. 

Graphics

If there’s one word I would use to describe the overall presentation and graphical impact of Quantum of Solace, bland would be it. The virtual Daniel Craig when you can get a good look at him is pretty spiffy for a virtual recreation. Everything else just looks a bit too generic. The game puts a strong emphasis on making you feel like you’re in the movie and in that sense, it does work. You can easily tell when explosive walls are bursting out in flames or otherwise. After the stylized intro, it’s such a shame that in-between gameplay you’re treated to un-interesting computer screen briefings.

Sound          

Quantum of Solace greatly helps equalize its connection with the movies when the full cast signed on to reprise their roles. It’s about as top quality as your going to get. There are tons of explosives sitting around so use them when you have the chance, it’s always refreshing to hear one every once in a while. M will be your guide in-between gameplay and to the entire story you’re told through those computer briefings.  The sound quality is about as high end as you’re going to get with any action game.

Plasma Factor

Quantum of Solace places itself in the fact that it’s a high action game that includes Bond as a plus. This may be a first, and the Plasma Factor here is supposed to be something highlighted about a title. There could be some good about QoS and I think that may only be that this is a really quality action title. There are a lot of firefights that may turn into classic moments though there are frustrating ones as well, especially when you start dying a lot. The stealth moments don’t work quite as well some may be hoping for and the lack of gadgetry completely ruins what Bond is all about aside from the cool cars.

Conclusion

Quantum of Solace is a passable Bond game that, unfortunately, is all action and less Bond. Yes, Bond is there but it doesn’t feel like you’re actually kicking ass with Bond. The stealth moments feel un-inspired and obligatory, with the keypad mini-game not helping matters much. The multiplayer in retro scope can be fun though may lose its appeal to some considering there’s not much to keep you around; despite the variety in terms of weapons and upgrades. You will unfortunately be looking elsewhere to find the one Bond game that will top the Nintendo 64 classic.