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An MI6 insider at a recent "Everything or Nothing"
demonstration files a special two part report on what
to expect this November...
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"Everything Or Nothing" Spy Report
- Part 1
11th July 2003
In part one of a special spy report, our insider reveals how
"Everything or Nothing" is shaping up with details of
the game structure and how you will be controlling Bond, James
Bond...
A New Perspective
As each press release seems to emphasise, Electronic Arts have
taken the brave decision to plunge Bond gamers in to an all new
third-person perspective view, rather than the familiar first-person
perspective shooters we have had recently. The camera system will
be familiar to fans of Lara Croft, although from what has been
seen so far, the cameras are more intelligent in EON, and
do not suffer the zooming niggles Lara had to cope with.
One of the criticisms of the last game, "NightFire",
concerned the longevity of the game - especially with the PC version
which was even shorter than the console varieties. "Everything
or Nothing" will boast approximately 20 levels - a dozen
of those will use the third-person perspective mode, whereas the
remainder will be driving or flying levels.
A Stealth Affair
Both "run and gun" and "stealthy" styles of
gameplay will go rewarded in the game. Fast and furious gamers
will get to enjoy adrenaline pumping sequences that look straight
out of movie, and when the action become extremely intense, the
game sometimes switches into "bullet time" mode. The
special feature, made popular by "The Matrix", slows
everything down temporarily but still allows the player to control
the action in real time. But unlike the usual bullet-time, Bond
snaps back into real-time at the first use of a weapon. EA have
dubbed this effect as the player enteringthe "Bond Zone".
Bonus "style" points are awarded to particularly stealthy
moves, like sneaking past a guard post unnoticed, or taken on
the identity of an enemy and infiltrating a base.
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Touchy-Feely
For the first time in a Bond game, you will be able to interact
with a lot of the environment Bond finds himself in. Objects
like chairs, bottles, spanners and weapons can all be used
to help you on your mission.
The background also provides more than just attractive
scenery, with the occasional "life saving" feature
hidden there for eagle-eyed players (more on this feature
will be covered in part 2 of this special report).
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Control Freak
As EA have pulled the camera out of Bond's eye, to somewhere near
the ceiling, the combat system has been expanded to include hand-to-hand
fighting for the first time. But don't expect to see Bond high-kicking
his way out of trouble, that is just not his style. The controls
will be limited to simple high and low punches and the ability
to throw the enemies around.
To keep the control system simple, one common button will perform
a variety of context-sensitive actions. If Bond is near a door,
the button will open it. Additionally, it will also push Bond's
back against a wall for a sneak peak around a corner, open hatches,
pick up objects and crouch behind scenery. If in doubt, this button
will do what you need to do. The analogue controls move Bond around,
whilst the rest of the buttons are used for weapons and aiming
controls. One of the aiming buttons locks on to a target, and
another will shift it onto the next target for that attention
of your cross-hair. Although this aiming system sounds easy at
face value, in practice it is essential when the action hots up.
Console Gadgetry
Although PlayStation 2 owners will get the best graphical effects,
and Xbox owners will have honed textures, it is the GameCube version
which is receiving special "Q-Branch" attention. If
you also own a Gameboy Advance, you will be able to plug the handheld
into the GameCube and use it during the game as a special "camera"
that previews what lurks behind the next corner on its screen.
"Everything or Nothing" will be released on PlayStation
2, Xbox, GameCube and Gameboy Advance.
UK: November 14th
USA: November 18th
Australia: November 17th
Related Articles:
"Everything
Or Nothing" Spy Report - Part 2