Perfect Dark was a huge success on Nintendo’s N64 and a spiritual successor to the legendary Goldeneye. It was one of the greatest shooters of all time, and in 2005 Microsoft attempted a sequel, which would go down in dumpster infamy.
Perfect Dark Zero for the Xbox 360 was released in 2005 simultaneously with the console’s launch. It was hailed as being better than the original and was expected to perform as well as the smash hit Halo: Combat Evolved, when the Xbox was released.
PDZ sets you three years before the original game, working along side your father for a total of 14 missions. Things that may help you along these missions are standard FPS weapons such as shotgun, sniper and pistol, and Perfect Dark favourites such as the Laptop gun and the Plasma Rifle. For the stealth aspect of the game, you’re given a variety of spy equipment. These include the SpyCam, the Locktopus, and the Audioscope, all of which are self explanatory. Although seemingly an espionage game, it’s quite obvious this game leans more towards the run and gun aspect, as the amount of weapons more then quadruples the amount of spy gadgets.
The plot that goes along with the game seems unbearable over the first few missions, but does eventually lead into a pretty decent storyline. A huge variety of weapons, many different environments, and a general interesting story make most of the singleplayer game quite enjoyable. Although like the beginning, the ending falls short. Not only do you have to defeat an insufferable boss at the very end, but the game leaves you with a cliffhanger, or was it cliffhanger? Whatever it was it failed to pull me back for another go.
Now on to multiplayer, some reviewers have reviewed this as one of the few highpoints of the game; I however feel quite the opposite.
There are 10 multiplayer maps, and the gametypes are split into two different categories: DarkOps, which focuses on stealth, and DeathMatch, which focuses more on the FPS aspect. DeathMatch brings you regular gametypes such as Killcount, Team Killcount, and Capture the Flag. While DarkOps allows you to play Infection and Sabotage type games which usually only allow a few deaths instead of infinite. Online Multiplayer allows up to 32 people to play the same game at once.
So far so good, right? Well let’s get down to the actual online gameplay.
Like the US shooting down their spy satellite, the Perfect Dark Zero campaign can be done in complete secrecy, but the multiplayer takes a quick left turn. What was once a controlled, quiet game turns into a total mess online. Espionage is shot to hell in multiplayer, as its pure run and gun. I preferred the singleplayer part of the game when I first got it, as I found the multiplayer quite pointless. Later I would go back to multiplayer for achievements; again I was turned away by the lack of skill and/or luck needed to do well in this game.
Although the multiplayer wasn’t ALL bad, the variety of fun-to-use vehicles added some interest, and the fact that this was one of the first games for the Xbox 360, it uses Xbox Live very well.
It'a also worth noting the uncomfortable feel that both single and multiplayer seem to have. Controller setting changes and look sensitivity adjustments do nothing for the overall distaste I had while controlling my character throughout the game.
Graphically, Perfect Dark Zero looks arguably average. Overall the game has good visuals which are highlighted with many bright colours and good textures. The occasional framerate problem did become quite annoying, but this was made up for by having impressive draw distances and a large amount of openness. I’m not sure what the technical term would be, but the real problem with the games graphics are the glossiness everything seemed to have. Sure clothes, hair, and vehicles can and should have a glossy look to them. But foliage and rocks should not have the same appearance. Again, it’s difficult to pinpoint it, but while playing through the game most things look very good, but at the same time, unnatural.
The audio seems to follow the rest of the game, and teeters on the brink of failure. Gun sounds are decent, albeit lifeless. But the voice acting wasn’t done well act all, and the overall score to the game is unnoticeable.
If you can make it through the singleplayer, I’d rate the longevity of this game: Okay. With the lack of intriguing multiplayer, and average singleplayer, this game is one of two games I ever regret purchasing for my Xbox 360.
An achievement junkie may like the achievements in this game as they are quite a challenge, considering it was one of the first games for the Xbox 360, they aren’t bad at all. If you look up Perfect Dark Zero on my gamercard, you’ll see I have just over 10% of the achievements, which is one of the lowest of all games I have ever played. And I have no reason to go back and earn anymore.
With the Perfect Dark reboot set to launch later this year, it's time to look back at Perfect Dark Zero, nearly 20 years later.
At the rate xbox is going you'll have another 20 years to play the original before the reboot arrives
Perfect Dark Zero launched alongside the Xbox 360 back in 2005, to much criticism. 18 years later, is it worth another look?
Perfect Dark Zero was the first game that I purchased for my XBOX 360. I still have the game in my collection. I think I played it for about 45 minutes in total over the past 18 years. It's a really bad game, and I was so disappointed when I first fired it up almost 20 years ago.
I had fun with the mutiplayer. Didnt feel like Perfect Dark, but still had some fun with it
Full remakes of games are here to stay, and that's why we've thought up a list of 10 video game sequels and prequels that deserve a full remake.
Just can't take this list serious when they mention DA:2 and what they said about it.
Parasite Eve
The Bouncer
Dino Crisis
Metal Gear Solid
Silent Hill
Final Fantasy VIII
Croc Legend of the Gobbos
Chrono Trigger
Sonic Adventure
Mario Sunshine
your list is spot on. i always said parasite eve, metal gear solid, dino crisis and silent hill deserve a remake and would make tons of money right now.
Agreed with everything on this list. Glad you mentioned the bouncer. Didn't think anyone remembered that game lol. I Liked that game a lot despite the flaws with it. I can see them remaking it but it really needs to update the battle system and flesh out the story more in the remake.
"Graphically, Perfect Dark Zero looks arguably average."
--lol, wrong. The visuals are spectacular. And you give the game a 4? lol. Compared to what, Gears? Come on. 4 is a bit too low, don't you think? Lame.
4 is a bit too low a score (I would have gone for a 6) but overall it was a good review.
You also should have taken into account that, at the time of release, Perfect Dark was actually the best-looking game at the time.
I agree with you 100%,this game sucks so much,it SHOULD NOT even named perfect dark, it's a complete mess compared to the awesome n64 classic game.
R.I.P RARE
you give the worst reviews ever, first uncharted, then this? idk 4 sounds pretty low to me
top notch dude good review! shame tho this game should of been so much more. wat happend 2 rare!!!???