Perfect Dark Zero

 Xbox 360
User Score
7.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 271 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 155 out of 271
  2. Mixed: 64 out of 271
  3. Negative: 52 out of 271
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  1. AdamB.
    Jul 12, 2006
    4
    Laughable storyline, cumbersome controls, confusing map layouts, unbalanced weapons, annoying multiplayer announcer, and uncanny-valley-quality character models reveal this title's obvious launch game heritage. It's graphics may be the game's one saving grace. For some tried and true multiplayer FPS action, do yourself a favor and play some high-res 360 Halo 2 or better Laughable storyline, cumbersome controls, confusing map layouts, unbalanced weapons, annoying multiplayer announcer, and uncanny-valley-quality character models reveal this title's obvious launch game heritage. It's graphics may be the game's one saving grace. For some tried and true multiplayer FPS action, do yourself a favor and play some high-res 360 Halo 2 or better yet, some old-school N64 Goldeneye.… Expand
  2. JohnM.
    Dec 22, 2005
    3
    An exceptionally poor game. I can't understand why people rate it so highly.
  3. wa2kool
    Mar 7, 2013
    4
    What was considered an impressive launch title is now a complete embarrassment to the 360's game library. It is literally the walking description of a polished turd shiny but still quite Gameplay mechanics are clunky and frustrating when it comes to combat. Character animation is hilariously bad, voice acting is atrocious and the execution of the story is so poor, you will have literallyWhat was considered an impressive launch title is now a complete embarrassment to the 360's game library. It is literally the walking description of a polished turd shiny but still quite Gameplay mechanics are clunky and frustrating when it comes to combat. Character animation is hilariously bad, voice acting is atrocious and the execution of the story is so poor, you will have literally no idea what you are doing in the campaign or why you are doing it. Multiplayer is probably the only redeeming feature of this game. It feels old-school (in a positive sense) and can be entertaining but the general gameplay problems from the campaign are sadly carried into this mode.

    Graphics: 7/10
    Gameplay: 4/10
    Features: 6/10

    Perfect Dark Zero is a soulless, confusing and frustrating experience from start to finish. There is no problem in other people liking this game, I just personally thought it was a huge letdown, given the brilliance of it's predecessor.    … Expand
  4. Sharpshooter188
    Nov 1, 2017
    4
    Storyline is kind of a joke. EXCEEDINGLY BAD aiming and in an fps game that is huge. Things have a cool sleek look to them which is nice. But some things shimmer that shouldn't. I would say maybe pick it up for a couple of bucks if you are bored. Past that I would say just download Perfect Dark 64 from the xbl arcade.
  5. AnonymousMC
    Dec 3, 2005
    9
    Looney is an idiot. The graphics are NOT possible on PS2 or Xbox by a long shot. The game runs smooth with hardly any slowdown (some durring the cinematics, but it's a cinematic who cares?!?) /Singleplayer/ This game is NOT worth buying if your going to be playing it by your self. The true brilliance of this game is done though its multiplayer and if your not going to make use of itLooney is an idiot. The graphics are NOT possible on PS2 or Xbox by a long shot. The game runs smooth with hardly any slowdown (some durring the cinematics, but it's a cinematic who cares?!?) /Singleplayer/ This game is NOT worth buying if your going to be playing it by your self. The true brilliance of this game is done though its multiplayer and if your not going to make use of it don't even bother with this game get Call of Duty 2 instead. This games singleplayer missions aren't worth the 50 bucks. //Co-Op// The game provides a decent co-op expirience. The levels are not all great, but they're all decent especially when playing with a friend. It's just plain fun to play vs your friend in arena mode too with all the options you get (you can even put on bots). ///Live/// Live is where the game really shines. There are so many options to choose from that it never gets boring. This game will be popular on Live till Halo3 comes you can be sure of it. ---Overall--- Singleplayer missions are all fun though the story and cinematics are stupid. There is also replayability because higher difficulties give you new objectives. The game has a great ending too (not going to spoil it but lets just say you fight a really strong dude). Co-op is where the games missions shine though and I only reccomend getting this game if you have friends to play through it with you. If you have friends arena mode can be fun too with how many options you get. Live is amazing on this game and is by far its best feature. Its very easy and fast to get in a game and there are always lots of people to play with. The game runs great. There are many different weapons with cool secondary functions to use throughout the game and the levels are all great. Don't listen to idiots who tell you the graphics aren't good, because they are and there's no way Xbox or PS2 could run this game. In this one dessert level you can see for MILES and MILES and there is no fog or anything at all! +++THIS IS A GOOD GAME GO OUT AND BUY IT IF YOU HAVE 2 CONTROLERS+ AND FRIENDS+++… Expand
  6. looney
    Nov 28, 2005
    3
    Good game but graphicly this is no improvment over the last gen consols apart from being a little smoother this can be done on the xbox and ps2 with no problems. personally i should have just saved my money and brought a decent graphics card for my pc
  7. MiguelG.
    Feb 21, 2006
    5
    It wouldn't be a good game in the previous generation, so in this... it's painfull. The problem with the graphics, it's not thei cartoonish feel, but a over-glow look, enemies do look like sick manequins, everything, but i mean everythinf shines (!!!). Difficulty goes up and down like a roller-coster. Story is so childish, that I couldn't compreend nothing beyond Joana It wouldn't be a good game in the previous generation, so in this... it's painfull. The problem with the graphics, it's not thei cartoonish feel, but a over-glow look, enemies do look like sick manequins, everything, but i mean everythinf shines (!!!). Difficulty goes up and down like a roller-coster. Story is so childish, that I couldn't compreend nothing beyond Joana against some multinational, but..., but..., why ? what ? Voice acting is no doubt the worst part of the game, it's beyond description. Multiplayer is the only thing that's so-so, not a big a deal, like some people say (not a Halo comparable, not for a long shot!). Enemies take forever to kill - everyone tries to do headshots, the whole game gravitates arround head-shots (everyone uses a helmet...). Poor, poor game. CoD2 doesn't deserve to be compared with this mess!… Expand
  8. AnonymousMC
    May 30, 2008
    9
    This game has a peculiar campaign. While the graphics shine and the levels are creatively designed, the story is the most lackluster piece of crap i've ever crossed, but you scratch this. The gameplay rocks, the scifi elements add shine, and the multiplayer rocks, and is one of the best games on the 360.
  9. JohnF.
    Dec 5, 2005
    2
    A lame-a.s letdown. The "legendary game developer Rare" are a bunch of people hired in the aftermath of the Microsoft buyout - all the talented people left the company when Nintendo left the picture. And so this game, yet again, proves. Its a painfully dull catastrophe that has clearly been rushed to make the 360 launch date. A little more time could have made it competent. Right now, its A lame-a.s letdown. The "legendary game developer Rare" are a bunch of people hired in the aftermath of the Microsoft buyout - all the talented people left the company when Nintendo left the picture. And so this game, yet again, proves. Its a painfully dull catastrophe that has clearly been rushed to make the 360 launch date. A little more time could have made it competent. Right now, its almost unplayable. Videogames are not meant to be this dull.… Expand
  10. phantajisto
    Mar 11, 2012
    3
    Decent enough attempt at a launch title back in 2005 but only of historical interest now. It looks and feels very last-gen, but you could pick it up for 2 quid and blast through the campaign in a weekend.
  11. arostislavna
    Oct 5, 2017
    2
    To stay away from making a review about how Microsoft killed Rare, I'm just going to give out points why I gave it a low score.

    Awful title/ending songs (Essentially all the licensed music in this game was made for strippers, or porn stars. ("Pearl Necklace" Seriously?) With that aside, everything that made the old Goldeneye modded to Perfect Dark engine is gone, the character models    To stay away from making a review about how Microsoft killed Rare, I'm just going to give out points why I gave it a low score.

    Awful title/ending songs (Essentially all the licensed music in this game was made for strippers, or porn stars. ("Pearl Necklace" Seriously?)

    With that aside, everything that made the old Goldeneye modded to Perfect Dark engine is gone, the character models turned into cartoon characters, and a campy story. Essentially you can tell it definitely was a launch title.

    I do enjoy the story regarding the combat simulator, how Jo was recruited by the Carrington Institute, and of course messing around in multiplayer.

    Unfortunately, that is just about all I enjoy from this game.    … Expand
  12. BulletTimeTails
    Jun 25, 2020
    0
    I hate this game and i wouldn´t wish this game even to my worst enemy,clunky contols, laughable voice acting, forgetabble story, characters from the original game are butchered and worst of all, killed the franchise. Don´t even bother with this game, Perfect Dark Zero is nothing but a franchise killer made for a quick buck.
  13. ChewySmokey
    Aug 27, 2010
    2
    I thought it was a horrible game and I was kicking myself for paying over $80 for the special edition when it came out. The graphics feel last-gen and are sickeningly waxy looking, the character models are as realistic as mannequins and the AI is some of the stupidest I've seen in a long time. The story wasn't all that interesting at all. The controls a little frustrating at first, butI thought it was a horrible game and I was kicking myself for paying over $80 for the special edition when it came out. The graphics feel last-gen and are sickeningly waxy looking, the character models are as realistic as mannequins and the AI is some of the stupidest I've seen in a long time. The story wasn't all that interesting at all. The controls a little frustrating at first, but they can be mastered with relative patience. As for the multiplayer is pretty crazy, but there are a lot of things missing from the original that are really missed in this prequel (most noticeably, the choice of character models to choose from has gone from dozens to four). I am still scratching my head as to how this sorry excuse of a game got so much good reviews as it did, I'm guessing new-console hype had a big part in it.… Expand
  14. JohnH.
    Apr 9, 2006
    4
    The one-player mode is utterly pointless. Finish it for the Gamerpoints, if you dare. Multiplayer is ok, though somewhat poorly balanced. The graphics are pretty lame, and split screen yields very choppy frame rates. Do not buy.
  15. Daz
    Feb 4, 2006
    9
    It's really simple - if you want an immersive fps for the 360 to play OFFLINE then get call of duty 2. If you want a great multiplyer game to play ONLINE (or offline with bots) get perfect dark zero. The single player of pdz isn't great, but online it ROCKS!
  16. DeanA.
    Mar 10, 2006
    10
    Dont listen to anything but excellent reports about this game! Its Great! XBox Live is better than playing story mode though!
  17. DavidH.
    Mar 29, 2006
    8
    Generally brilliant, although the graphical style feels overly filtered. The multiplayer is astoundingly good, and it has a wide variety of configurable features. However, the single player campaign is largely uninteresting and it pales in comparisson to the outstanding original.
  18. JamesH.
    Mar 3, 2006
    3
    The plot (like the character models in this game) is painfully thin. The lack of a convincing narrative is not this game's biggest failing however. For starters, the weapon balancing is out. It takes too many bullets to kill people normally so headshots are vital. The aforementioned skeletal character models and very poor reticule control means that such headshots are extremely tough The plot (like the character models in this game) is painfully thin. The lack of a convincing narrative is not this game's biggest failing however. For starters, the weapon balancing is out. It takes too many bullets to kill people normally so headshots are vital. The aforementioned skeletal character models and very poor reticule control means that such headshots are extremely tough and happen to randomly to be satisfying. The result is that more often than not, multiplayer shootouts become ridiculous twitchy strafe contests resulting in empty clips and clumsy melee kills to finish with. The environments in the game are sparse and unconvincing with a paucity of the kind of detail needed to create a convincing atmosphere. The single player levels are unimaginatively designed and often lack clear direction as to where to go next. This would not be a problem if the game wasn't set up for such an uninteresting linear run and gun mechanic with strict mission objectives (failure of which often results in beginning the level over). All in all this is a horrible FPS and you would be far better off saving your pennies for CoD2 or GRAW.… Expand
  19. Exos1stW.
    Jul 29, 2006
    9
    The multiplayer is really smooth and it has a story moder co-op for once wich isn't a load of toss. Let's get one thing straight the origial was better tahn this one and this game can't replace halo.
  20. HassanW.
    Nov 30, 2005
    9
    well this game is great. i think if u have a 360 u must get this. the online is amazing. the only problem u will probably encounter is the campaign (voice acting sucks, level designs get worse)
  21. AlexP.
    Jan 27, 2006
    9
    This is a very good game. Impressive visuals, realistic gun modles, great sound and an AMAZING soundtrack. The solo missions are great, not perfect, but unfourtunatly, the story is weak. But thats not saying it isnt fun. The multiplayer is great, with a ton of modes for you to play around with. All in all, this is the game you should buy along with your shiny new Xbox 360. Thank-you Rare.
  22. NickV.
    Feb 8, 2006
    10
    I can't believe that this game hasn't received more attention than it has. I put off playing this game because I have been led to believe it's nothing special. What a load! This is the best online game ever. It is better than Halo in nearly every way (online at least). and plays like a dream. It is much more challenging and finesse-oriented than Halo and there are no online I can't believe that this game hasn't received more attention than it has. I put off playing this game because I have been led to believe it's nothing special. What a load! This is the best online game ever. It is better than Halo in nearly every way (online at least). and plays like a dream. It is much more challenging and finesse-oriented than Halo and there are no online glitches to speak of. It plays like a dream. The capture the flag games are epic. Snipers take up covered positions and troopers battle across the landscape while jetpack-wielding warriors dog fight and strafe overhead. You capture spawnpoints on the battlefield ala' "Star Wars: Battlefront" to improve your team's position on the field and make your endless suicidal runs at the enemy flag more likely to succeed. The battles over these spawnpoints alone can be unbelievably intense. The weapons are all extremely well-balanced and have fantastic secondary features. This is the one must-own xbox live title. The story mode is also great and very challenging, and most levels are worthy of replaying again and again. Fans of "Goldeneye" from the old N64 days will fall in love with this game. Buy it!… Expand
  23. wesker2012
    May 27, 2012
    6
    This game had some fun levels, but ultimately the game felt pretty average and was a letdown.
  24. Sonofspam
    Jun 13, 2011
    8
    Great Game tho it can be a bit hard in some places unless you are on the lowest level, graphics are mostly amazing except for some of the faux anime faces on Joanna and some other people.

    Controls are good and the only real complaint i have is how short the game is with only like six levels but there is a lot of replay value since there is different stuff in the harder levels even after    Great Game tho it can be a bit hard in some places unless you are on the lowest level, graphics are mostly amazing except for some of the faux anime faces on Joanna and some other people.

    Controls are good and the only real complaint i have is how short the game is with only like six levels but there is a lot of replay value since there is different stuff in the harder levels even after you beat the game.    … Expand
  25. Ravenous
    Aug 3, 2011
    0
    Basically they completely gutted the original Perfect Dark, removing most of your options, totally changing the story (Joanna was originally a British secret agent, now she is an American teeny-bopper), and essentially making one of the worst shooters of all-time.

    Nothing is done well in this game. The campaign is terribly cheesy and is never fun (and has one of the lamest bosses ever),    Basically they completely gutted the original Perfect Dark, removing most of your options, totally changing the story (Joanna was originally a British secret agent, now she is an American teeny-bopper), and essentially making one of the worst shooters of all-time.

    Nothing is done well in this game. The campaign is terribly cheesy and is never fun (and has one of the lamest bosses ever), and the multiplayer is just plain terrible. They make your character run extremely slow (opposite of OPD), they remove most of the weapons that were available in PD, and they remove virtually all of the customization options for setting up multiplayer matches.

    There is honestly nothing good that can be said about this game. It was a disaster of epic proportions.

    This game ranks #1 on my list of most disappointing games of all-time, and that's against some stiff competition.    … Expand
  26. Alex
    Jan 30, 2006
    8
    Fun, nice graphics, and interesting prequel storyline. The game suffers from being somewhat short however, and finding the enemies in some of the levels can be REALLY annoying. some of the weapons are... forgettable, some seem like clones of others, and some are pretty cool. multiplayer kicks ass, and the inclusion of bots is a definite plus when you really have nothing else to do.
  27. Rol
    Feb 3, 2006
    9
    Better than most reviews it's getting. It's cartoony visuals and physics and overall feel seem to be a problem for a lot of people .Next-gen doesn't have to be realistic there are other styles too. Multiplayer is probably the best on 360 at the moment. And the single player campaign is a grower with good scalable difficulty. Unless halo 2, for you, is the be all and end all Better than most reviews it's getting. It's cartoony visuals and physics and overall feel seem to be a problem for a lot of people .Next-gen doesn't have to be realistic there are other styles too. Multiplayer is probably the best on 360 at the moment. And the single player campaign is a grower with good scalable difficulty. Unless halo 2, for you, is the be all and end all of FPS, and all games must emulate its successes, this game is highly recommended.… Expand
  28. NeilV.
    Jan 4, 2006
    7
    As a single player game, PDZ merits a 5. The game is much clumsier than another FPS release for the 360, Call of Duty 2. The graphics are incredible in spots (especially textures on asphalt, etc), but cartoony and washed out in other areas. It's got a good soundtrack overall. As a multiplayer game, it rates a 10. It's incredibly fun on X-Box Live and not bad if you're As a single player game, PDZ merits a 5. The game is much clumsier than another FPS release for the 360, Call of Duty 2. The graphics are incredible in spots (especially textures on asphalt, etc), but cartoony and washed out in other areas. It's got a good soundtrack overall. As a multiplayer game, it rates a 10. It's incredibly fun on X-Box Live and not bad if you're logged off, playing with bots. I would probably rent before purchasing unless you plan to use it almost exclusively for multiplayer.… Expand
  29. SpencerH.
    Mar 7, 2006
    10
    For all of you book readers out there who expect a perfect ending to every story, did you ever think there might leave you asking questions for a reason? I thought the single player kept my attention very well and if you didn't know already, the missions are more in depth on the harder difficulties. the multiplayer is really good and all my friends love this game.
  30. JamesP.
    May 24, 2006
    9
    Certianly not up to the orginal, but still a great romp for any shooter fan.
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Awards & Rankings

8
#8 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2005
2
#2 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2005
2
#2 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 75 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 61 out of 75
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 75
  3. Negative: 0 out of 75
  1. Talk Xbox
    97
    From the fantastic gameplay to the gorgeous graphics to the incredible amount of replay value, every gamer should experience this game. It features every multiplayer option you could want, and the feature list reads like a multiplayer gamer's wet dream.
    Read full review
  2. GameSpot
    90
    This awesome, high-tech first-person shooter champions the Xbox 360 with its excellent assortment of single- and multiplayer game types, as well as its incredible good looks and dynamic, intense action.
    Read full review
  3. TeamXbox
    88
    The co-op mode shows flashes of brilliance, and the number of options provided for online play is astounding. The core game plays much like any other FPS – a VERY pretty one at that.
    Read full review
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