Game Description

James Bond returns to battle evil on an international level in this follow-up to the best-selling Agent Under Fire. Developed by the same company responsible for The World Is Not Enough on the Nintendo 64, NightFire features a mixture of first-person shooting action and mission-based driving sequences from behind such sophisticated vehicles as the Aston Martin Vanquish.

Like Agent Under Fire, NightFire includes an original story line as Bond embarks on missions taking place in the Austrian Alps, underneath the South Pacific, and even the depths of outer space to stop a megalomaniac named Rafael Drake. Taking key elements from Bond's 40-year history in film and books, NightFire includes familiar enemies from 007's storied past as well as new characters created specifically for the game.

Bond will once again make use of a variety of gadgets to complete his objectives, some of which can be upgraded, with missions ranging from stealth assignments to all-out search-and-destroy affairs. Making a return from Agent Under Fire are Bond "heroics," where players have the opportunity to pull off dramatic moves the suave spy is known for. Top achievements during each mission earn players various cheats for use in both single and multiplayer modes. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Review: Enjoyment

The gameplay has remained essentially the same as in Agent Under Fire, but with a more diverse selection of locales. The multiplayer addition is a welcome one, and GameCube owners can compete against six AI bots rather than the PS2 version's four. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Production Credits

"Nearly Civilized" Performed By: Esthero

"Nearly Civilized" Written By: Esthero, Paul Alexander Campbell, Henry Priestman

Review: Overall

007: NightFire is a modest improvement over the previous year's Agent Under Fire, offering new environments to explore but within the same framework found in its predecessor. Players once again advance through visually diverse but disappointingly linear levels, where objectives are carefully doled out like cards at a baccarat table. Fortunately, the exotic locales easily best those in Bond's first foray on GameCube, and its multiplayer game includes an option to compete against up to six AI bots instead of the PS2 version's four. The features are otherwise identical, with the GameCube port having slightly crisper visuals. Half of the game is over in a blink of an eye, gadgets aren't as important as they should be, and many levels are hit and miss in terms of fun or intensity. NightFire is still a slam-bang action title that manages to hold one's interest until the final credits, but it's one that doesn't realize its full potential in becoming the definitive Bond experience.

Like 2001's Agent Under Fire, NightFire has style to spare and will thrill most casual gamers, but there are shortcomings inherent in its design. Each of the 12 levels is brief in scope and in length, and the entire single-player game can be completed within six hours on the default "Operative" level. The remaining two difficulty settings offer a better challenge, but do so by emphasizing quantity over quality. Instead of featuring new and riskier objectives, switching the difficulty gives players more enemies to fight, who are more accurate and do more damage. In addition, only seven levels are actual first-person shooter stages. Five levels are either vehicle stages or rail-shooting sequences, which is somewhat a mixed blessing. On one hand, players are less likely to get bored advancing from level to level, because they can try their hand at mastering new techniques. On the other hand, the frequent shift in play mechanics means certain areas aren't as fleshed out as they could be.

The first-person shooter stages perhaps suffer the most because of this, as objectives aren't nearly as interesting as in earlier Bond games like GoldenEye or in Eurocom's previous 007 outing, The World Is Not Enough on Nintendo 64. Players in NightFire are really just making their way from point A to point B in as straightforward a manner as possible, with goals seemingly thrown-in for a diversion or two. Whether it's finding a way into a building, rendezvousing with a certain character, or snapping pictures of a piece of equipment, players would have stumbled upon these tasks anyway by just following the often obvious path toward the exit. The best levels are those taking place outdoors, where there is at least the illusion of freedom, with the added benefit of being able to use a sniper rifle to pick off armed guards patrolling high above the ground.

Many of the gadgets found in Agent Under Fire make a return appearance in NightFire, but they aren't as well integrated into gameplay. While many of the telltale cut-scenes found in the first game have been removed, there are still icons that appear whenever Bond can use the grappling hook, and certain doors and computer terminal screens will flash when Bond is supposed to use other devices, taking some of the mystery out of being a spy. The most prominently used gadget is the watch laser, which opens sealed doors and cuts alarm wires. The rest are maybe used once or twice the entire game. Driving levels are also somewhat of a disappointment, since they are as linear as the first-person shooter stages. Instead of the go-anywhere driving found in Agent Under Fire, players are forced into driving from point A to point B within a time limit or traveling along a surprisingly well-defined dirt road in the jungle.

Nevertheless, the game's biggest strength is in offering many different scenarios for players to complete, even if some of them aren't as strong as others. As in the first game, all are designed for repeated play to achieve new medals. Players have real incentive to replay missions since they can earn extra characters, weapons, and even scenarios for multiplayer competition. Some of the more interesting sequences include (1) riding atop an elevator's roof while enemies toss down satchel charges, requiring you to neutralize the explosives with the watch laser in between firing rounds of ammunition, (2) racing past pursuing police cars and enemy helicopters while behind the wheel of the Vanquish car, (3) piloting the same Vanquish car underwater and firing user-guided torpedoes, and (4) taking out enemy snipers while infiltrating a well-guarded nuclear power plant. Bond moves are back, rewarding players for performing special or heroic moves. Even the rail-shooting sequences are exciting, if not long, as players will shoot enemies from a snowmobile, from inside a plane, and from behind a stationary turret in a mini-game reminiscent of Missile Command but with jets, tanks, and even a submarine.

Instead of taking a big step forward in game design, the developers took a sizable one to the left or right. The arcade-style atmosphere goes a long way in creating an immediately playable game, but in light of titles like Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell, there's a strong desire for more involved missions (NightFire's attempt at stealth is almost silly in comparison). Since the short nature of missions means players can rocket through the title, the multiplayer aspect is the single most important factor in deciding whether it should be purchased or rented -- those who only want to experience the single-player game should be warned it can be finished within a day, and most of that time is spent on the last three levels. Fortunately, the multiplayer aspects are strong and feature levels and characters from past Bond movies. Players can attack each other as Jaws, work together in teams of Mayday and Oddjob, or blow up targets as either Wai Lin or Scaramanga, to name but a few. Like Bond himself, NightFire is far from perfect but always engaging, getting mileage from the equivalent of a wink and a smile even despite the obvious faults. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Review: Graphics

NightFire features top-notch character modeling, great special effects, and smooth animation. Actor Pierce Brosnan's face was used for Bond and the result is impressive, even though it is only viewed in cut-scenes. The GameCube version offers greater clarity and better special effects over the PS2 game, but the differences aren't dramatic. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Review: Sound

The famous Bond theme is present, as well as quality sound effects and voice acting. Bond isn't voiced by Brosnan, however, so he sounds more gruff than he should be. Support for Dolby Pro Logic II is an improvement over the PlayStation 2's Dolby Surround. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Review: Replay Value

Players can once again compete on three difficulty levels in their effort to earn all three medals, which unlock various bonuses. Up to four players can compete in a variety of game types for added enjoyment. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Review: Documentation

Each of the missions is briefly explained, as are the weapons and gadgets Bond will use to complete his objectives. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide