by Eric Eckstein
While any thug can kill, you'll need some serious guns and ammo in order to really rack up the body count in the new James Bond video game, Quantum of Solace. Thankfully, Bond's mind won't be your only weapon as you take on AI adversaries and online opponents with fictionally named weapons, but don't worry, most are based on real world firearms. For example, the FRWL resembles an AK-47, while the SAF-9 seems modeled after the Heckler & Koch UMP 45 submachine gun.
That's not all. Lookalikes of UMPs, Glock pistols, and M4 carbine assault rifles all appear, but the headliner is Bond's classic Walther P99. Quantum of Solace's version is actually reproduced from a laser scan of the movie's gun model. If that's not enough to slate your gunlust, expect to shoulder rocket launchers, sniper rifles, automatic shotguns, and a mini-gun, all of which will also be accessible in both the single and multiplayer game. The infamous Golden Gun, however, is a multiplayer only item, and it packs an explosive punch. Nab it when you can.
But guns are only half the edge in battle; how you load them out can make all the difference. In Quantum of Solace, you'll be able to carry two primary weapons and a side arm, so you can mix and match to great effect. (Where does Bond stores these in-mission? We're afraid to ask.) If you're looking to stay quiet, silencers will be your specialty, but if you just want to spray lead, an larger magazine is your better option. Of course, a gun is only good if you can hit the target, so if you're having trouble keeping aim you should opt for a grip to minimize kick, or even a scope or red dot laser sight to help find your target.
Shooting bullets isn't your only way to eliminate the enemy. Quantum of Solace will have five different types of grenades: Frag (for explosive fun), Flash (to blind foes), Concussion (to stun 'em), Smoke (to hide yourself and allies) and a proximity grenade that sticks to surfaces. Simply throw the nade at a wall, draw some fire and watch as your wanna-be assassin goes boom. When you fancy something a little more silent, you can always take 'em down with a close kill. Close kills trigger a quick-time event that require button presses to stealthily stop your foe. As always, it's all the more satisfying when you can do it yourself.
There's often a better way than trying to put pieces of lead into every body you come across, though. Using your PDA, you can watch patrol patterns and by discovering cellphones you may uncover golden cases which house superior firepower. The environment is your friend too, thanks to its poorly stored explosive containers strewn about the hallways. So stop and think: five bad guys guard a room, but they're loitering dangerously close to one of these containers. Why shoot five bullets to kill five guys, when you can shoot one bullet and remove the entire problem?
One final treat awaits true Bond devotees: if you play long enough, you'll earn impressive gold skins for your weapons. But we have to wonder, wouldn't a silver-plated rocket launcher go better with that tux? Make up your own mind when Quantum of Solace releases on November 4.
QUANTUM OF SOLACE IMAGE GALLERY
Posted: 29 Oct 2008
