Goldeneye: A Masterpiece

Goldeneye is quite simply the best console first-person shooter I've ever played, with the possible exception of the sequel, Perfect Dark. This is quite an impressive achievement since the game is now the best part of 10 years old.

So what makes it so good? Unusually for a first person shooter, the developers obviously put a lot of work in to the single player mode of the game, and it is here that Goldeneye excels. The level design is generally excellent, as are the mission objectives, the conclusion of which often require you to do a little thinking and with a few exceptions the answer can be arrived at logically and provides satisfaction. The stealth levels are particularly outstanding, usually providing the opportunity of finishing the level without taking any damage at all(providing you have a hell of a lot of skill).

The difficulty curve is also exemplary. While the game is easy to run through on the easiest difficulty, the harder difficulties provide a real challenge, whilst also adding extra objectives to make proceedings a little more interesting. There is an excellent system of cheats within the game too. Rather than simply ruining the game by including cheat codes, you have to earn them by finishing each level within a certain time limit. This proves very difficult on some levels (just try doing it on Facility!) The cheats can't be used to complete levels you've not done yet, but they do add life to an already near-immortal game.

The excellent difficulty curve is complemented by a superbly intuitive control system, so much so that I often find myself customising the controls on other shooters to match them. This is another of the games strengths, the aesthetic 'feel' of the game. While difficult to define this aspect of the game, the guns are simply satisfying to fire, carrying a 'meaty' feeling sometimes lacking within the genre.

The multiplayer aspect of the game is also flawless, offering hours of fun within well designed levels. The only criticism that could be levelled at it is the lack of A.I. bots (alas it is a game of it's time), and the fact that you can't customise the weapon sets (though the defaults are good).

The only other problem with the game is some mundane level design on some of the more open levels. In general though the game is difficult to fault, and is crafted with the kind of care characteristic of Rare with their N64 games. This all adds up to produce that elusive classic status that so many games try to imitate and which simply can't be achieved unless the developer really cares about the task at hand, regardless of commercial success. Accordingly I find myself coming back to the game almost anually and completing it once again.