Its classic Bond, the way it should be
So the big question is ‘What makes a Bond movie a Bond movie?’ Arguably the music is one of the most recognisable theme tunes in the world… In fact, stop right now and go find someone and ask them to hum the Bond theme and, although they’ll think you’re mad, they’ll also know the tune. So the music is a big, big part of what gives a Bond movie its atmosphere… but what else? Well there’s the action sequences, which through the years have become more and more outrageous and even with the advent of green-screening and CGI, Bond films still pride themselves on impressive live stunts. And of course, there’s the man himself; cool, suave, sophisticated, a ladies man, a flirt and a cold blooded killer. Now to get all that into a computer game and to get it to work is going to take some doing… miss anyone of the three out and you’ve got yourself a George Lazenby of a game and with a license like this, you don’t want to be doing that.
Click for larger image
Click for larger imageSo on booting up James Bond 007: From Russia With Love for the first time, it was gratifying to see an opening sequence that Cubby Broccoli would’ve been proud of. In the true style of the Bond films, we’re treated to a nice opening credits sequence before moving on to an action sequence that, whilst relevant to the story, acts a standalone segment and, in this case, is also the training mission. The high production values are evident from the off with cutscenes that, although they look a bit ropey in places, set the seen nicely and are nicely in keeping not only with the style of the films but also the era in which this one is set. Don’t forget that the movie From Russia With Love came out in 1963, which was 8 years before a certain games reviewer was born so don’t expect any high tech Sam Fisher style gadgets here. What EA have done is to bring 60’s styling to a modern shooter and make it as true to the film as possible.
Click for larger image
Click for larger imageJust in the opening level you’ll see evidence of the 60’s look with cars, helicopters and army uniforms all looking the part for the era. Similarly, Bond himself could’ve been lifted straight out of the film with his likeness being immediately and impressively recognisable. But EA haven’t stopped at making sure the main character looks like Bond, they’ve studied the film footage for hours to capture they way he moves perfectly too. Squeeze off a few rounds with his faithful PP7 and you’ll be treated to that shoot from the hip style that only Connery could do… then check out the way he runs, creeps and just moves in general, it’s all been put into From Russia With Love.
Click for larger image
