Quantum of Solace

Quantum of Solace Review

by Eric Eckstein

It may be the new James Bond's second time at bat in theaters, but Quantum of Solace is the first Bond game for current systems like the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Sporting the state-of-the-art Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare engine, the likenesses of the movie's cast, and including content from both the new movie and its predecessor, Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace should be an easy one to love. Unfortunately, spotty AI, comparatively weaker online play and short single player game wipe away much of the love we might have had for it.

Quantum of Solace opens where the film Casino Royale ends, with Bond encountering Mr. White on his quest for revenge. The game introduces players to the new Bond, which proudly shows off an incredibly well done rendering of Daniel Craig's expressionless face. We could have swore we saw Bond smile in the movies, but maybe we're wrong. In any case, Quantum of Solace is primarily played out as a shooter, letting marksmen aim through the sights of their P99s or leverage a cover system a la Gears of War.

What's exciting about the game is its movie-accurate depiction with locales replicated from the films, while allowing a lot of interactivity in the environments; wooden barrels tumble and bottles of alcohol shatter when shot, and gondolas and chandeliers can be dropped on the unwary. When rooms catch fire or the entire level lists and leans, Quantum of Solace feels exactly like you're living the movies.

The game takes place over fifteen chapters, though strangely only five of those chapters are from the Quantum of Solace film. While there are some missions that optionally involve a modicum of stealth, the majority of the game is played out by shooting stuff. And by stuff we mean glinting silver explosive barrels, or explosive tanks, or electrical boxes. See, gone may be the gadgets, but the best weapon in James Bond's arsenal is his mind, so instead of going toe-to-toe with three armed gunmen, blast a gas tank with one shot.

What's exciting about the game is its movie-accurate depiction with locales replicated from the films, while allowing a lot of interactivity in the environments.

Beyond the standard deathmatch modes, Quantum of Solace has three unique game types: Bond Versus, Bond Evasion and Golden Gun. Bond Versus has one player as Bond disarming bombs while everyone else is out to get him, while Bond Evasion is a VIP mode that has Bond on a team with MI-6 operatives who are trying to escort him to safety. The Golden Gun mode is a regular Deathmatch mode, but with a super-weapon that fires explosive shells. Unlike Call of Duty 4, there is no experience system and rank in Quantum of Solace, and instead, playing and winning in games earns you cash. Players can buy weapons, weapon attachments, grenades and gadgets (think COD4 Perks) to help customize their loadout. The gadgets themselves are fairly familiar, including ways to reduce damage, boost ammo or aim more effectively. More interesting ones include the ability to auto-kick/throw grenades, but the inventive ones are few and far between. In the end, the multiplayer experience is merely okay, which pales in comparison to last year's Call of Duty 4, the game on which it is built upon.

Although it's a faithful adaptation of the new movies, one wonders if the new James Bond doesn't lend himself as well to today's video games. When it comes to playing Bond, we miss the gadgets of old, car chases, jetpacks and wild locations. Without that level of ingenuity, Quantum of Solace feels like a generic shooter, albeit one with a fair amount of polish and a better theme song than its source material. For those that want to re-live the movies, Quantum of Solace will accurately hold onto that tiny spark that makes us still love, want and root for Bond, but consider it for your eyes only.