he question on everyone’s mind: Can there be a better Bond than GoldenEye? The team behind Quantum of Solace thinks so. It seems that casting dark horse Daniel Craig as Bond in Hollywood produced a ripple effect, allowing opportunities for departure from the traditional Bond formula in the realm of video games. Activision, Treyarch and the other development teams behind Quantum of Solace took advantage of the opportunity, and the result is action-packed, innovative and sleek – just like the secret agent himself.
Quantum of Solace – crafted using the COD4 engine – is a Bond game of many firsts. It is the first Bond game to star Craig, the first Bond title on a next-gen platform, and the first Bond game to blend a unique first-person action experience with a third-person cover combat system – similar to that seen in Rainbow Six Vegas. These firsts, combined with creative freedom and a healthy relationship with the Solace film team, are why Treyarch has faith that this Bond title will be a success.
So how do they plan on bringing nostalgic fans back to the Bond universe, all the while assuring hardcore gamers that this is not simply another doomed movie adaptation? Their answer: by creating a great game first, not simply by using Bond as a crutch to draw in fans. The group over at Treyarch explained that they are approaching the title as a launch of a new franchise – with the intention of getting it right the first time.
In anticipation of rebooting the Bond franchise, the Quantum of Solace team conducted large-scale surveys, asking gamers and Bond fanatics alike what they wanted to see in the new title. While chatting with the team, it became apparent that the survey responses directly influenced development and gameplay. A prime example is the implementation of the first/third person action model. Survey results made clear that half of the participants favored a first-person experience, while the remainder opted for third-person gameplay. As a result, Treyarch created a hybrid – allowing players to both be and see James Bond, depending on the scenario.
Treyarch also argued that their fantastic relationship with the Quantum of Solace movie team is helping them craft a game that will do justice to the film. Repeatedly, key Treyarch team members have been invited to the movie set, even giving Daniel Craig himself a chance to check out the game. The production and development groups share assets, stories and any information needed to help the game reach a level of quality deserving of the Bond name. Cinematic influences can also be seen in the execution of the story. Explosions, chases, quick-cuts and picture-in-picture sequences all stylize the game in a manor similar to notorious Bond films.
Gameplay will follow the story of both Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace – the first direct sequel in Bond history. Quantum of Solace begins only hours after the dramatic ending of Casino Royale, and follows Bond on a quest to settle the score against those who wronged him. One of the first levels we had a chance to check out threw Bond into a firefight during the climatic ending scene of Casino Royal – the sinking building in Venice. Bond had to pick off enemies coming from all directions, while constantly moving to higher ground to avoid the rising water levels.
In crafting a game around Craig’s Bond, Treyarch argues that the experience is different by default. Craig is undoubtedly a more lethal, darker and cunning Bond than ever before; one not afraid to use his fists, or his greatest weapon – his mind – to get the job done. The results are apparent in the gameplay. Confrontations come in the form of stealthy take-downs, one-on-one shootouts and massive multi-room battles. In our short demo at Treyarch’s studio, we watched Bond use stealth to avoid detection, use his physical prowess to eliminate enemies, and engage wave after wave of opponents while maintaining his cool. Each sequence was drastically different. However, one thing unified them – nonstop action. For this reason, Treyarch decided to forfeit poker mini-games and driving missions, believing that pure action is what Bond fans are truly looking for in the title.
Quantum of Solace surveys exotic locations and diverse terrain, with all the stylistic influences we have come to expect in a Bond property. The graphics, interiors and AI in Quantum of Solace are as refined as Bond’s façade. Bond also boasts online play – which will allow gamers to battle friends online in a variety of gameplay modes. So while it is still early, things are looking bright for Bond. Who knows, a complete franchise reboot may be just what the doctor ordered.
Look for Quantum of Solace this fall for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 2, PC and Nintendo DS.
