Reviewed: April 28, 2006
Reviewed by: Mark Smith

Publisher
Electronic Arts

Developer
EA Redwood Shores

Released: April 4, 2006
Genre: Action
Players: 1-6
ESRB: Teen

8
8
8
8
8.0

Supported Features

From Russia With Love is a rock solid port of the console bringing over all the missions, movies, dialogue, weapons, vehicles, and action from the larger systems. And in a world where designers and gamers both struggle to play games that require dual analog sticks on systems that only have one, EA has managed to pull another Q trick out of their hat and actually invent a functional control scheme for a classic action title.

Rather than craft a new original story, EA has dug into the Bond archives to retell one of Bond's earlier adventures. From Russia With Love is certainly an interesting choice given the broad scope of material to choose from. It’s certainly not my favorite Bond opus. I’m not even sure I have seen the movie in its entirety, although the game's presentation did spark a few suppressed flashbacks.

By picking a vintage adventure the designers are free to focus on classic cars and authentic weapons and even some dated spy gadgetry. In a world dominated by Sam Fisher and Joanna Dark, I have to admit it’s a bit refreshing to get more down to earth with my spy adventuring.

The game closely follows the story of the film spreading the action across 8 core missions and four bonus missions you can unlock by performing above and beyond in the main game. These missions are further broken down into about 30 stages and encompass just about every action element ever put into a game, especially a PSP game.

Overall, the controls really surprised me in how well they actually worked and if you don't like one control scheme they offer you two. Both are equally as intuitive and functional so go with what feels bests. The standard interface is back with the analog stick moving you and the face buttons serving as the look function. This can make some of the more action-oriented commands slower to access, so you might want to opt for the default interface where the face buttons handle things live dive and roll, reloading, crouch, and Bond focus.

There is a good target lock system in place to help cover any deficiencies by not having a second analog stick, and the context-sensitive action button always does the right thing depending on where you happen to be standing. There is just enough "assistance" to make the game totally playable on the PSP without taking too much out of your hands. It really keeps the game flowing and keeps you in the Bond moment.

You have the walking around and shooting things levels with a fantastic target lock that can be cycled with a flick of the stick. Bond also makes use of available cover by snapping to walls and objects that provide cover while you line up your next shot.

The targeting system is impressive in that you can easily get a generic lock on just about anybody, but then you can go even further using Bond Focus to single out specialty shots like a head shot or maybe shooting their radio so they can’t call for back-up.

Move in close enough and you get some QTE inspired melee moves that will reward you with bonus points. There are also numerous Bond Moments in each level that will all help increase your final score for each mission.

Early in the game, the first level actually, you will get your first taste of the jetpack. This offers some really fun gameplay thanks to the intuitive movements and aiming controls. After a misleading second level and some training back at headquarters you set off in one of the first car levels.

I found the car to be incredibly difficult to handle. The steering is way too sensitive and so is the gas pedal. I ended up bouncing off walls and buildings trying to stay alive long enough to finish the level or at least reach the checkpoint. The boat levels control about the same, perhaps a bit worse given the imprecise nature of controlling a vehicle on water.

Enemy AI is above average but also a bit predictable. You might be surprised the first time a goon rappels from the vaulted ceiling but then you start looking for it and your flick targeting system makes it all too easy to snap on and take down targets. What they lack in style the enemy makes up for in numbers, precision, and excessive firepower.

There is a bit of RPG-lite thrown into the mix as is expected with just about any game these days. By searching through cabinets, drawers and other containers in the game you can find and unlock equipment upgrades for weapons and gadgets. Everything can be upgraded if you are clever enough to find the hidden data sheets, but each item can only be upgraded once, so when you have extended that ammo clip or increased the rate of fire you are done.

PSP owners can delight in several clever mini-games, exclusive to the PSP, as well as an impressive multiplayer component that actually outshines the console version, at least in the number of players and new modes. Regrettably, there is no Internet support (but the Xbox didn't have it either), so you will need to have all your friends within wireless range.

There are four modes with support for up to six players including Domination, Deathmatch, Dogfight, and Flying Ace. The last two are just aerial versions of Deathmatch and Domination, only with jetpacks. The target lock makes multiplayer a bit easier than most gamers would probably like, but once you adapt there is some great fun to be had with these modes.

The levels are suitably complex with plenty of destructible objects and places to take cover. Environments don’t have the same texture detail as the characters and bright colors can make the game look a bit too much like a game at times. There are some impressive effects like fire, smoke, explosions, and some nice lighting effects. Big Ben at night is a sight to see.

The framerate is good but unpredictable and can dip into some problem areas depending on how much action is going on at the time. It gets slightly worse in multiplayer but never gets so bad it becomes unplayable, merely annoying. For the most part, the action is still fluid and very exciting. The camera can also present its own set of issues, often getting hung up on objects and architecture causing you to break character and move Bond to "unstick" it.

The PSP version is crisp and clean, easily as good as the Xbox version at a glance, but there are a few issues in some of the levels with odd glitches, vanishing textures, and visible seams on the corners. Again, not game-stopping but annoying.

The rest of the cast turn in great performances such as Money Penny, Q, and M, plus plenty of NPC characters that serve as field contacts. There is also a good assortment of enemies, all with suitable, if not exaggerated accents.

The sound effects are solid and include varied gunfire, engine noises for boats, cars, helicopters, or the hiss of a jetpack. There are also powerful explosions and the subtle sounds of the environment when appropriate. It all sounds just as good as it did on the console, although you do lose some of the impact when you go from 1000-watt home theater to a pair of earbuds.

Casual gamers can finish the story in 10-12 hours while those looking to unlock every last Bond nugget will spend upwards of 20 hours perfecting the game. Each mission ends in a nice tally sheet showing completed objectives, and what’s left to be done. And even though you are told what Bond Moments are in each level, you are left with the task of finding when and where to execute them.

The only thing that was holding this game back was its limitations put upon it by having to follow an established movie. Even so, the designers managed to get all of the Bond trademarks into this game. You have guns, and girls and fast cars and even jetpacks, plus all the gadgets and Bond attitude that only Sean Connery can put into that character.

If you loved Everything or Nothing then From Russia With Love will easily become your second favorite Bond game of all time; third if you are still playing GoldenEye.