The Underrated James Bond Game That Competes With Goldeneye
The James Bond video game franchise has gone through plenty of ebbs and flows, from the peak of GoldenEye 007 on Nintendo 64 to the low, low valley of 007 Legends on PlayStation 3, Wii, and Xbox 360. However, while GoldenEye 007 is often awarded the title of the "Best 007 Game," there is another 007 game among the Nintendo 64's hidden gems that unquestionably competes with it: 007: The World is Not Enough.
Developed by Eurocom Entertainment Software and based off of 1999's The World is Not Enough, which was the follow-up to the more fondly remembered GoldenEye, 007: The World is Not Enough is nearly identical to the Rareware-developed GoldenEye 007 in gameplay mechanics, with tight (if aged) first-person shooting, straightforward levels, and simple objectives. However, the game differs enough that, had it not been for GoldenEye's initial impact and player nostalgia, The World is Not Enough may have eclipsed it.
A large improvement on an existing formula
GoldenEye, for its comparably basic FPS mechanics and simplistic, albeit contextually impressive, level design, does show its age in multiple areas. From its auto-aiming mechanics to its arcade-type combat, the game's design might be a challenge for gamers only acquainted with modern first-person shooters. The World is Not Enough expands in multiple different directions. While more technically problematic than GoldenEye in occasional slowdown, the game has vastly improved level design and more involved reload animations. Further, the game includes voice acting, which, although subpar, is far preferred to simple text.
Where the game tends to largely fall short is multiplayer. GoldenEye's multiplayer hardly took itself seriously, with players fighting each other with everything from karate chops to laser guns. The World is Not Enough provides the option to add AI bots, a feature seen in later 007 games, as well as still-improved presentation. However, the maps are incredibly simplistic compared to its predecessor and just not as fondly remembered as GoldenEye's, missing the iconic status reached by the 1997 classic. Yet, The World is Not Enough on Nintendo 64 still packs a punch comparable to the heavyweight FPS that remains GoldenEye.