James Bond: Bloodstone Review
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"I don't care if I live or if I die. I don't mind if I fall or if I fly." That is the theme song for the new James Bond game Bloodstone. In this game James Bond returns to third person genre. Unlike many Bond games this is an original story. Should you take up the new mission? Or don't you care whether you buy or not?
Story - An international conspiracy has placed the UK's most secretive bio-chemical project into deadly hands, and only Her Majesty's most lethal agent, James Bond, can unravel the mystery. To navigate through layers of corruption. Bond will embark on global chase that will have him battling on land, sea, and air through Athens, Istanbul, Monaco, and Bangkok. Nothing is what it seems as each adventure reveals a deeper and more sinister conspiracy. The story is intriguing and will keep you entertain till the end. I used the synopsis this time because I don't want to spoil anything. The story is good enough for a Bond game, however some villains are not developed enough. Regardless of that I enjoyed the story right to the cliffhanger ending.
Gameplay - The game is in the third person shooter genre. The gameplay doesn't really add anything new to the third person shooter genre. However don't let that stop you. This is game is fun! Activision really captures Daniel Craig's Bond. This game is what some was hoping Quantum Of Solace would be. What really makes this a Daniel Craig's Bond game, is his aggressiveness.The gameplay introduces a mechanic called Focus Aim. In Focus Aim the action slows down, to give Bond a clear headshot at the enemies. This is a great tool to use for faraway enemies. The Focus Aim can replenished only by doing melee attacks or stealth takedowns. Don't think that it will be a cakewalk to replenish the Focus Aim. There are tons of enemies to face and they are smart to an extent. Enemies would sneak up behind you and melee attack you. They also somehow dodge your bullets. The problem I had with the gun fights were sometimes it felt unrealistic. I would be shooting an MP5 at the guys chest and he didn't go down for a while. This happen with soldiers and guys with heavy armor. The game is easy overall and that's thanks to the cover system and regeneration health. I think a game like this needs health packs. The regeneration takes a lot away from the challenge of this game. James Bond is also know for his gadgets. However in Daniel Craig's Bond, realism is the key in the game. The only gadget Bond has is his smartphone. Trust me Bond has the smartest smartphone in the world. His smartphone can hack into doors, relay satellite images and even have a sonar effect so he can see detect enemies. It's a great tool, but really doesn't add too much to the game, minor a few doors and engines needing to be turn on.
However besides the shooting, their are some nice driving missions which really steals the show. Almost every level has Bond in some vehicle. Bond will be driving a boat, a car and even a truck in his missions. The driving missions are the highlight of the game. It's tons of fun tearing up Bangkok, or driving in the Arctic and having the ice break. You will fail the missions a couple of times though, but it takes a little memorization to know what lane to stay in. The single campaign should take about 7 to 8 hours to beat. The multiplayer is beyond disappointing. It only has three game modes, Team Deathmatch, Objective and Last Man Standing. Players will be able to choose from spies and mercenaries. I experience a little bit of lagging on my playthrough, but it's nothing new under the sun. The maps weren't that great and the weapon you start with you will re-spawn with. Also good luck with melee kills. Overall the single campaign is a blast and the multiplayer is a drag.
Gameplay Video
Graphics - The graphics is amazing. This game is very detail when it comes to capturing the environment. I love the way Bangkok looks in this game. It really felt like I was in China, the details on the streets, lights and Chinese ad's were all put into great care. However I did see some hiccups on driving levels like see through walls and blend issues. Otherwise than those complaints this really captures the world of Bond.
Sound - Richard Jacques has brought a great soundtrack that not only compliments Bond, but really makes the action more intense. Joss Stone delivers an amazing opening song "I'll Take It All." The voice acting is one of the best this year, with A-List actors Daniel Craig and Judi Dench reprising their roles. Joss Stone also lends her voice to the game as the Bond girl "Nicole." She does a great job for the time that she is in the game. The sound is not an issue in this game.
Replay Value - The single campaign is a blast to play through. Since you get Trophies/Achievements for playing it on 007 level you will play through it a second time. There are also intelligence Intel to gather for collectors out there. You can try to average multiplayer if you like as well. It has enough to keep you playing.
Final Grade B-/8.0 - The game is a worthy edition to the James Bond library. Its has a decent story minus the plot holes missing, it set ups for a sequel. The sound is epic and Joss Stone really brings her talents to this game. The gameplay is what you wanted from Daniel Craig's Bond. It's aggressive and straight to the point. The multiplayer is a disappointment and doesn't provide much fun. Regardless of it's flaw this is a game all Bond fans and gamers should at least check out. Final Grade is B-/8.0.
Story - An international conspiracy has placed the UK's most secretive bio-chemical project into deadly hands, and only Her Majesty's most lethal agent, James Bond, can unravel the mystery. To navigate through layers of corruption. Bond will embark on global chase that will have him battling on land, sea, and air through Athens, Istanbul, Monaco, and Bangkok. Nothing is what it seems as each adventure reveals a deeper and more sinister conspiracy. The story is intriguing and will keep you entertain till the end. I used the synopsis this time because I don't want to spoil anything. The story is good enough for a Bond game, however some villains are not developed enough. Regardless of that I enjoyed the story right to the cliffhanger ending.
Gameplay - The game is in the third person shooter genre. The gameplay doesn't really add anything new to the third person shooter genre. However don't let that stop you. This is game is fun! Activision really captures Daniel Craig's Bond. This game is what some was hoping Quantum Of Solace would be. What really makes this a Daniel Craig's Bond game, is his aggressiveness.The gameplay introduces a mechanic called Focus Aim. In Focus Aim the action slows down, to give Bond a clear headshot at the enemies. This is a great tool to use for faraway enemies. The Focus Aim can replenished only by doing melee attacks or stealth takedowns. Don't think that it will be a cakewalk to replenish the Focus Aim. There are tons of enemies to face and they are smart to an extent. Enemies would sneak up behind you and melee attack you. They also somehow dodge your bullets. The problem I had with the gun fights were sometimes it felt unrealistic. I would be shooting an MP5 at the guys chest and he didn't go down for a while. This happen with soldiers and guys with heavy armor. The game is easy overall and that's thanks to the cover system and regeneration health. I think a game like this needs health packs. The regeneration takes a lot away from the challenge of this game. James Bond is also know for his gadgets. However in Daniel Craig's Bond, realism is the key in the game. The only gadget Bond has is his smartphone. Trust me Bond has the smartest smartphone in the world. His smartphone can hack into doors, relay satellite images and even have a sonar effect so he can see detect enemies. It's a great tool, but really doesn't add too much to the game, minor a few doors and engines needing to be turn on.
However besides the shooting, their are some nice driving missions which really steals the show. Almost every level has Bond in some vehicle. Bond will be driving a boat, a car and even a truck in his missions. The driving missions are the highlight of the game. It's tons of fun tearing up Bangkok, or driving in the Arctic and having the ice break. You will fail the missions a couple of times though, but it takes a little memorization to know what lane to stay in. The single campaign should take about 7 to 8 hours to beat. The multiplayer is beyond disappointing. It only has three game modes, Team Deathmatch, Objective and Last Man Standing. Players will be able to choose from spies and mercenaries. I experience a little bit of lagging on my playthrough, but it's nothing new under the sun. The maps weren't that great and the weapon you start with you will re-spawn with. Also good luck with melee kills. Overall the single campaign is a blast and the multiplayer is a drag.
Gameplay Video
Graphics - The graphics is amazing. This game is very detail when it comes to capturing the environment. I love the way Bangkok looks in this game. It really felt like I was in China, the details on the streets, lights and Chinese ad's were all put into great care. However I did see some hiccups on driving levels like see through walls and blend issues. Otherwise than those complaints this really captures the world of Bond.
Sound - Richard Jacques has brought a great soundtrack that not only compliments Bond, but really makes the action more intense. Joss Stone delivers an amazing opening song "I'll Take It All." The voice acting is one of the best this year, with A-List actors Daniel Craig and Judi Dench reprising their roles. Joss Stone also lends her voice to the game as the Bond girl "Nicole." She does a great job for the time that she is in the game. The sound is not an issue in this game.
Replay Value - The single campaign is a blast to play through. Since you get Trophies/Achievements for playing it on 007 level you will play through it a second time. There are also intelligence Intel to gather for collectors out there. You can try to average multiplayer if you like as well. It has enough to keep you playing.
Final Grade B-/8.0 - The game is a worthy edition to the James Bond library. Its has a decent story minus the plot holes missing, it set ups for a sequel. The sound is epic and Joss Stone really brings her talents to this game. The gameplay is what you wanted from Daniel Craig's Bond. It's aggressive and straight to the point. The multiplayer is a disappointment and doesn't provide much fun. Regardless of it's flaw this is a game all Bond fans and gamers should at least check out. Final Grade is B-/8.0.
