The James Bond franchise is one of the longest lasting in all of cinema, with the first release coming out in 1962 starring Sean Connery. Since then, many actors have stepped into the finely tailored suit of Britain's super spy, all resulting in iconic performances. Pierce Brosnan received his license to kill in the 1990s, and would star in four feature films as well as lend his voice and appearance to the 2004 video game James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing.
James Bond was no stranger to blockbuster video games, with a steady stream of releases including the breakout success of Rare's GoldenEye 007 on the N64. James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing is significant for more than just being a great action game; it can be viewed as the fifth James Bond film that Brosnan never got to make. Thanks to its over-the-top storyline and bevy of cool gadgets, this game was the epitome of the 90s Bond formula Brosnan embodied.
Everything or Nothing - Development and Story
Development on the game began in 2001, just a year before Pierce Brosnan's final Bond filmDie Another Day. The game brought on Bruce Feirstein to write the story, as he had plenty of experience with the series having penned the scripts for the prior three Bond films. The talent behind the game, as well as high production values in general, result in an authentic Bond experience that sports all of the qualities fans had come to expect.
As for the plot itself, the game carries over all the themes and tropes present in Bond films up to that point. Players will control Bond as he travels to a variety of exotic locations, trying to stop a madman played by Willem Dafoe. What makes James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing special as a piece of Bond media is how it incorprates characters from James Bond movies into its storyline. Villains like Jaws are a physical threat, while references to past antagonists like Max Zorin help flesh out the universe further.
Everything or Nothing - Gameplay and Features
As is expected from a James Bond storyline, the plot is largely an excuse for flashy setpieces and gadgets. James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing spares no expense with including these elements, as nearly every level begins or ends in grandiose fashion. High-speed freeway chases, intense firefights, and dangling out the side of a building are all high points in a journey that should thrill any fan of the franchise. The game uses the tried-and-true cover-based shooting mechanic made popular by games such as Gears of War, adding a good deal of strategy to gunfights.
Furthermore, the game packs in extra goodies for players to enjoy after they've completed their mission. As had become expected ever since GoldenEye 007's popular multiplayer component, James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing sports a similar game mode. Even more interesting is a co-op mode that allows two players to work through the entire campaign together.
Considering Daniel Craig was cast as the next Bond in 2004, this game serves as a nice send off for Brosnan's take on the character. Releasing in 2004, in between Die Another Day and Casino Royale, the game creates a nice bridge from one interpretation to another, while also being a solid experience in its own right.
James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing is available on GameCube, PS2, and Xbox.