Back in 2000, when the original Perfect Dark came out, Rare was riding high. They had just come off the most successful console first-person shooter ever made, they and Nintendo were BFFs, and Perfect Dark was on everybody's lips.
Fast forward ten years. Rare is now in cahoots with Microsoft, the last shooter they made was lackluster at best, and, well, the game everyone really wants is Goldeneye. So where does that leave us? With an HD update to Perfect Dark. Having had some hands-on time with the game, I can certainly say there are some neat things with this game, much more than I would initially expect.
Follow the jump for more.
Perfect Dark (XBLA)
Developer: 4J Studios
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
To be released: March 2010
I have to say two elements really made playing Perfect Dark better than playing any other N64 game on an emulator. First, my god, once we as gamers were free from the confines of four yellow c-buttons to control in first person and were liberated with modern control sticks, we could finally be playing a game instead of fighting it. Perfect Dark, no longer a clumsy and wonky FPS, is now a fast and accurate shooter. Damn. Other than a couple of dated control elements (weapon select is dumb), Perfect Dark controls lovely.
I only played the one level, but the game is now so fast and accurate with the use of dual analog sticks, it's really easy. Almost too easy, considering the enemies have the A.I of a dead chipmunk. However, again, this is an old game. You wouldn't go in here with illusions of Modern Warfare. However, from my time with the game, I had fun, and it was actually enjoyable to have bad guys that go down with a shot in the balls and disappear leaving only a bloody fart stain on the walls.
The second reason Perfect Dark is perfectly playable are the graphics. While the game still looks like ass in only that trademark '"N64 sort of way," the addition of HD textures has turned it into something I can look at without wanting to die.
Sure, the game doesn't look "great" in many frames of reference, but it looks great for being exactly what it is: an N64 title. Actually, the texture improvements have made the game look like a Dreamcast title, honestly. Not too shabby!
I wasn't able to play the multiplayer, but expect 4-player online and local play, as well. Eh, it's multiplayer. Ta-dah? Did you expect more?
Coming away from this port of Perfect Dark, I'm actually impressed with it. It looks like something fans will like, and as far as games from this generation go, it will be the best looking title of that type. I think it looks like a perfectly fine addition to the spring Block Party line-up next to Toy Soldiers, Scrap Metal and Game Room, and for only 800 points, it isn't too bad.
Contest:
5:00 PM on 02.12.2010 | 
Anyway:
- 1080p
- 60fps
- New control schemes
- ONLY 800 MICROSOFT POINTS!
- Character models that were originally 300 polygons now boast 3500, while guns have leapt from 150 polygons to nearer 2000.
- 4 players splitscreen vs 4 players splitscreen over live, 4 player splitscreen offline, Counter OP,and Co-Op both online and offline, 8 players online deathmatch.
And, from IGN:
"There's no need to mourn for too long though. Like the original Perfect Dark, Goldeneye's three best maps – Temple, Facility and Complex – are included, but this time out there's a special bonus; Goldeneye's weapon set is also being included, meaning that for all intents and purposes the game has finally made it to Microsoft's console."
YES THANK YOU JESUS.
For all the Perfect Dark neophytes out there: Beware the Farsight, and the Laptop Gun.
That is amazing. With everything involved here, 800 points is a steal. Hell, it's almost criminal to pay so little for so much. Not to mention...
Goldeneye weapon set? Christ, this just keeps getting better every time I hear about it. If they announce one more bit of awesomeness, I might just have to change my pants.
By reserved, I mean "I was buying it anyway but I'd like more".
fap fap fap fap fap
Online multiplayer is up to 8 players, per the trailer I just downloaded.
I'm okay with that. Any more and I'd imagine the maps would be a bit claustrophobic. Cheers for the info.
@KingSigy Well he mentioned it below one screenshot... somehow
"I only played the one level, but the game is now so fast and accurate with the use of dual analog sticks, it's really easy"
So yes, it'll be either capped at a rock-solid 30 or 60 FPS, with better looking (but still N64-y) graphics and control scheme to boot!
Also per the trailer, solid 60 fps 1080p graphics.
What? You don't deserve to do this fucking preview.
EVERY FPS on the N64 was clumsy and wonky compared to what we have today.
This just sealed the fucking deal! Thanks for the info, Infamy!
The only game that surpassed Goldeneye
Bullshit. Of course things have been improved, but the controls were not clumsy.
Yes, yes it does.
Trust me, Goldeneye has not held up as well as PD in multiple departments.
I can see this getting 'under-rated' by fanboys of the late 80s and early 90s. Obviously nothing compares to Super Metroid, Megaman, and Final Fantasy 6--it's okay to ignore all of the faults they have, but we have to point out every single fault in an N64 remake. Just about every critic hails from the so-called 'golden-age' of gaming.
to bad they cant improve the AI. i might as well just play the n64 version. being able to out run and gun the computer(more than usual) in single player is gonna ruin this game.
also i love how the Pd logo looks like the N64 logo.
The bots in the N64 game are also much better than bots in most current gen shooters(or last gen Xbox now that I think about it).