Re-imagining a game like GoldenEye 007, a game that single-handedly defined an era of console gaming, seems like a daunting task. On one hand, those who played the original back in 1997 would likely thumb their noses at a remake that totally abandons its predecessor. Conversely, an untouched port of the aged GoldenEye could potentially alienate a younger audience. The good news is that developer Eurocom has managed to craft a new GoldenEye that, despite a few hiccups, makes a valiant effort to straddle the divide between nostalgia and a new generation of first-person shooters.
The evolution of GoldenEye’s plot is, frankly, a bit strange. It’s essentially now a game, based on a game, based on a movie. James Bond is still pursuing information on the titular GoldenEye satellite, hooking up with computer programmer Natalya Siminova, and getting double crossed by a thought-to-be-deceased compatriot. The game begins with the familiar (albeit much improved visually) dam level. Bond can storm the guard tower, guns blazing, or take a stealthy approach to avoid a firefight.
