Perfect Dark Zero – Review

Finally, Rare has seen fit to breathe some life back into a series that’s over 6 years old. The original Perfect Dark was so advanced that the N64—an already powerful console for its time—needed the installation of a more powerful memory unit. With its predecessor already hailed as a videogame classic, how does the Xbox 360 prequel compare?

Firstly, yes, Perfect Dark Zero is a prequel and it’s not just a tacked on story either (Star Wars Episodes I and II anyone). Perfect Dark Zero is essentially a tale of origins, showcasing how the lovely Ms. Dark came to be part of the Carrington Institute, and how Datadyne came to be involved with the Skedar, and other crazy plots to rule the world. Perfect Dark Zero’s story has you trekking the globe from China, South America, North Africa, and the middle of the Pacific Ocean—all right! Ok, it’s not quite ‘trekking the globe’, but tons of traveling is involved, trust me.

Graphically, Perfect Dark Zero is as beautiful as Ms. Dark herself. The game’s engine can handle such graphical splendors as ice-covered cliff-top fortresses, right down to underwater secret research installations. Did I mention they were beautiful? If there is one slight visual criticism to level at the game, it’s that the graphics suffer from Doom 3 syndrome—a spontaneous term I will duly explain. The graphics are so clean and reflective that they’re simply too shiny in places—such as tiled walls, which look as though they’ve been coated in PVA glue then left to dry. However, excessive surface lighting aside, the game still manages to get away with it (just), as everything has a generally mild cartoon feel anyway.

Perfect Dark Zero suffers no such criticism in the sound effect department, as every gun in the game sounds both unique and satisfying authentic, and the noise from impacting bullets is never anything less than top notch. Overall, the game’s sound effects are of an exceptionally high standard. The only notable detracting aural element is the voice acting. In certain other reviews the voice acting has cost the game a clear point on the final scoring, or it’s at least been singled out as a major disappointment within the game. Yes, the voice-overs do lean toward the wacky side, even as far as comic proportions on occasion, but I wouldn’t mark it down for that fact, but rather state that it adds to the aforementioned cartoon aesthetic.

For the deaf and hard of hearing, Perfect Dark Zero includes subtitles for individual mission briefings, so you won’t miss an ounce of the unfolding plotline. The only real problem is that in-game dialogue isn’t subtitled, and there isn’t an option to enable it. Moments such as picking up weaponry or ammunition are noted on screen, as well as displayed mission objectives, but it is a minor disappointment that subtitled dialogue isn’t at least an available option.

Gameplay in Perfect Dark Zero is well up to Rare’s finely polished standards—which is good to know. Firstly, the single-player campaign is set within the original three difficulties: Agent, Secret Agent, and Perfect Agent, and also the newly added Dark Agent. Agent is the easier option, Secret Agent is tricky at points, Perfect Agent is murderously difficult, and Dark Agent is pure suicide. The masterstroke of Perfect Dark Zero’s progressive difficulty lies in the fact that additional objectives, and even routes throughout the levels, open up based upon each difficulty level, which means completing the game on Agent is actually no reward at all. Another thing to help you through the game is the fact that you can pick your own arsenal before you begin the level; any weapons you finish a level with are then unlocked in the weapon select screen.

Multiplayer in Perfect Dark Zero will be familiar if you’ve played the original N64 Perfect Dark. Xbox Live indicators have shown that more gamers are playing multiplayer Halo 2 than Perfect Dark Zero, but it must be stressed that this isn’t necessarily representative of the quality of Perfect Dark Zero’s multiplayer, as it is a reflection on how massive Halo 2’s online community is (not to mention over a year’s head start on the market and a massively superior hype machine—Ed) Personally, I think Perfect Dark Zero’s multiplayer is right up there with Halo 2, and the fact that there is an option to include bots is an advantage to people that choose to play offline. The multiplayer has a variety of modes including all the fan favourites and even Dark Ops, which is an objective-based match that can take a variety of forms.

Co-op in Perfect Dark Zero is, needless to say, inspired. The game plays almost exactly the same as the single-player mode, but even such a simple thing as using elevators gets turned on its head. For example, only one player can go down in the elevator, so the other player has to find an alternate route. There are a number of different team-based puzzles in co-op mode, which really make it stand out. Some levels even have the characters in different locations, like one player down at street level whilst the other is clambering over rooftops providing sniper support.

The right choice of leading character can often make a game—or kill it stone dead. By way of example I offer you the No One Lives Forever series. The games themselves were technically accomplished for the time, but failed to shift much in terms of unit sales. And, why? Well, the answer is that the lead character, Kate Archer, simply put off the general public—because she was female—shocking but true. However, that was a long time ago and perception of female characters in videogames has evolved in quantum leaps since then. Long gone are the days of big-breasted Lara. Joanna Dark is very much a product of the 21st century. Joanna is an attractive character that immediately appeals to the male gaming population but, on the other hand, is not your typical cardboard bimbo (despite that dreadful Playboy spread!). Indeed, despite the skintight outfit she kicks ass AND has integrity, which doesn’t isolate female gamers. To sound cheesy, Joanna is the “Perfect” (Ho ho ho, I’m cracking myself up) balance for a female lead character.

To sum up Perfect Dark Zero; its graphics are admirable—perhaps not quite ushering in the mythical next-generation, but certainly a definite step forward; its sound effects are of a consistently high standard—though wacky voice acting may disappoint some; and gameplay is par excellence as it evolves with increasingly difficult settings—the grueling curve will certainly please the masochistic gaming demographic. Multiplayer is rich and varied with maps that change in size depending on the number of people playing, and co-op will have you playing for hours on Live or with a friend right beside you. Most importantly, the positive female lead character will please the girl gamers out there.

Review by Nige

No Responses to “Perfect Dark Zero – Review”