From Russia With Love

From Russia With Love isn’t the most challenging or in-depth game in the world, however what it lacks in both of these categories it more than makes up for by simply being a highly entertaining and authentically cinematic shoot’em-up game.

There are predictable missteps--the driving sequences are awkward and twitchy, and the camera doesn't always behave itself--but on the whole, From Russia With Love is a convincing and enjoyable ride on the sixties Bond rollercoaster.

Drive the Goldfinger DB5, fly the Thunderball jetpack and fight some classic baddies in challenging environments. It’s enough to make you toss your trilby on to a hat-rack in delight.

Like all the best entertainment, it's simple, undemanding and enjoyable. [Dec 2005, p.102]

When we look back on it the levels in "Everything or Nothing" bordered on great. In comparison, some of Russia's missions are longer, but generally they're average in design and effect.

An enjoyable gaming experience even though it is a rather short one. The easy difficulty takes away from some of the enjoyment of the game.

Even with the man who created the 007 persona back in the starring role, this sequel just can't measure up to the standards of excellence set by the Bond films or by the action game genre in general. [Dec 2005, p.160]

Even if you've never seen the film, From Russia With Love deserves a look and a listen. [Holiday 2005, p.88]

A great game if all you want is a man with a gun shooting some bad guys. But if you want a Bond game, stick with "Everything or Nothing."

Perhaps it is just my love of nostalgia. Perhaps I am just a James Bond freak. I loved this game, even when it frustrated my efforts to complete it to the point of putting it down for days until I could return with a fresh perspective.

From Russia with Love is pretty basic and there isn’t a whole lot to do in it, but the overall production is so strong it will likely entertain for the duration of its short single players campaign.

There are some minor gameplay issues, and the weak multiplay -- with no online gaming -- hurt the overall game, but the single-player story is strong.

It lacks any measure of challenge, playing out more like a shooting gallery in spots than a proper action game. And above all else, it simply lacks that spark--that thrilling feeling that wasn't just one key part of "Everything or Nothing," but rather, was the entire essence of what made that game so enjoyable.

In an effort to appeal to a wide range of gamers the gameplay is less than difficult. It's a lot less than difficult but it's not so much challenging as it is meant to be entertaining. Do I have to bring up the phrase "interactive movie" again?

Everything that was in "EoN" is back albeit with a contemporary 1960s setting including the gadgets, yet there’s something distinctly lacking that fails to bring the game close to living.

The game is way too easy to blow through, and some additions come at a cost of some of the more crucial elements in the film.

At the end of the day, it has quite a compelling story and where else are you going to hear Sean Connery in a videogame?

Anyone nostalgic for the glory days of the Bond film franchise will love the inclusion of a classic film as well as the return of Sean Connery. However, it doesn’t try anything new, multi-player stinks, it’s too linear, and it’s too easy, so it’s not worth more than a rental.

It all makes for an action game kinda like your typical Bond girl: fun to look at but shallow. With simple mission objectives, cinch puzzles, and autoaim (that you can tweak for more skillful shots if you like), this game practically plays itself.

An overly liner, repetitive action game with very little personality.

Though challenging, it's also sometimes pedestrian, with a host of uninspired levels and dim bad guys ruining what could have been the triumphant return of 007.

Sure, the production values are a bit better in FRWL (I particularly like shooting grenades off of the enemies' belts) and there are some decent gameplay tweaks (such as the "Bond focus" aiming for precise shots and the lack of stupid stealth levels), but the overall game is just plain easier and more sedentary feeling when compared to the previous game.

Unfortunately, the cut-scenes throughout the game just rub salt into the wound, their slick animations contrasting with the clunky in-game action. Yes, From Russia With Love creaks like the 75-year-old Connery's knees, but it still has style. [PSW]

There's not much here that's more challenging than slicking your hair into a Pierce Brosnan pompadour. [Feb 2006, p.93]

There’s nothing new or interesting about this game; it’s just another horribly mediocre third-person shooter with the words “James Bond” stapled on. When all is said and done, From Russia With Love lacks an important quality that previous Bond titles had: fun.

The biggest indictment against From Russia With Love, however, is that it makes the whole experience of being Bond seem about as much fun as an afternoon spent at a stamp-collecting convention, which is something 007 should never stand accused of. It's dull, banal, boring and any other adjectives that can be used to describe a game unworthy of your attention.

It’s harmless mass-market entertainment; the kind that any discerning gamer should already know to leave well alone. [Christmas 2005, p.116]