Single-player is rather easy, but multiplayer shines. Innovative weapons, tons of maps, tons of game modes. Let's go.

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Product Description

The Limited Collector's Edition of Perfect Dark Zero is presented in a colorfully-embossed metal collector's case with a protective cover. Includes full version of the game, a bonus DVD (The Art of Perfect Dark Zero video feature, Kepi & Kat music track from the game, Perfect Dark Zero Gamer Tiles to customize your identity on Xbox Live, Perfect Dark Zero Heads-Up Display (HUD) UI Skin to customize your Xbox 360 experience, and the first chapter from the new novel, Perfect Dark: Initial Vector), plus the Perfect Dark Zero special edition comic booklet, Hong Kong Sunrise, a collectible Perfect Dark Zero Glyph Card, and a Game Manual...Joanna Dark returns in the Xbox 360 exclusive Perfect Dark Zero, the prequel to the internationally award winning and mulitmillion-selling, first-person shooter Perfect Dark from famed game developer Rare Ltd. A secret war has begun - between shadowy corporations bent on world domination. Joanna Dark and her father Jack are caught up in the fight for the future of the planet. A routine bounty hunting mission rips open a global conspiracy that will change Joanna's destiny - forever.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2027 in Video Games
• Brand: Microsoft
• Model: 882224075787
• Released on: 2006-09-08
• ESRB Rating: Mature
• Platform: Xbox 360
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: .75" h x 5.25" w x 7.50" l, 1.00 pounds

Features

• Engrossing single-player action, brought to life in startling high-definition
• Unparalleled online play via Xbox Live - supporting more than 50 players online
• Choose between story-driven single-player campaigns and various multiplayer options, including 4-player split screen and cooperative action for infinite replayability
• Features many of the classic weapons and gadgets from the original game, as well as countless additions; New combat-enabled vehicles are also available

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Customer Reviews

This *IS* the Halo-esque launch title for the Xbox 360!
Although I was worried about purchasing this game at launch (because of the bad reader reviews), I have found it an amazingly deep and complex title. I have finished this game in single player and multiplayer (online mode) and there are a few unique features you need to know about when considering this title:

1. Varying gameplay based on difficulty: When you change the difficulty setting, you are given additional side-missions which you can achieve. One example is a boat that needs to be blown up to protect one of your operatives. This is a refreshing change to the rather boring alternative of just having guys who can withstand more headshots or are using faster moving computer AI. This also makes for a more immersive game, since you feel like a real secret agent, who's being trusted with more responsibility as your skills increase.

2. Varying gameplay based in single vs. multiplayer: When I first started playing this with a friend, I was amazed to find that it is actually a different experience. Rather than just heading down the same road as the single player game, the characters actually split paths and have different objectives. For example, on one level, I was a sniper on a roof, providing cover fire for my partner while he was down below trying to complete objectives for the mission. The game actually takes longer to play co-op, and it brings a lot of extra enjoyment.

3. Co-op over Xbox Live: If you have a friend with a 360 who lives far from you, you can play the game together cooperatively. This is a very nice feature for those of us who get tired of being verbally assaulted by teenagers and completely wiped out by the pros. It also allows for a more strategic gameplay, as you can try out different manuvers and see how they work against the AI.

4. Excellent multiplayer support: The game supports all 4 Xbox 360 controllers. You can even go online with 4 players on a single 360 to really help in a team game. This is the only 360 title that I know of that makes this possible. It's great when you want to really show off the power of the 360.

All of this rolls up into a really nice title for the Xbox 360. And, now that I've played it all the way through, I would certainly recommend it for anyone who wants to get a lot of gameplay out of a FPS (First Person Shooter) game with Next-Gen graphics!

What Would Elvis Do?
The original Perfect Dark was so darn good that when I saw this for a measly twenty bucks I couldn't pass it up. I spent a good year on the original--it was an all-purpose shooter. Even if you were alone, the multiplayer bots kept things fresh, and there were a million and one options to tinker around with.

That game stored not only your custom-tailored character but also your lifetime stats down to the mileage you've run and every round fired. This made it the cartridge of choice whenever I invited people over and we wanted something to play. There was fierce competition in my apartment for several months as people vied for dominance in one stat group or another. If you weren't a marksman, maybe you would only use mines and thus lay claim to the title of most explosive kills and so on. I tell you all this so you'll understand that not a little bit of nostalgia factored into my overall rating. If I hadn't played the original this one would probably get three stars. As it was, I enjoyed it more than a newcomer might.

So I was very pleased to see that bots were being included in this installment as well. I don't know why other games don't mimic Perfect Dark's multiplayer system. All I know is that between the original and Dark Zero, I kept wishing for a game that played just as well with multiplayer just as customizable, and never got it until now.

There are a number of standard rulesets like killcount and capture the flag but there are also scenarios that can be fought through against other live players.

The best, though, is when you have a friend over and want to play. Then you can have a real versus match--none of that one-on-one crap that gets old very fast. Want to play 5v5? Just add eight bots. Instant opponents, or teammates. You can adjust their skill levels anywhere from completely pathetic to death incarnate. And if you're better than your friend, you can add a couple extra bots to his team.

Missing, though, are a lot of those options I mentioned before. You can't customize your character in this one (forgivable), you can't tailor the bots' personalities or appearances (also forgivable), and you can't view your lifetime stats anymore (blasphemy! burn the witch!). That left Dark Zero feeling more cramped than the original. I still can't figure out why they removed all that content. Ah, well. The deathmatch arena in Perfect Dark Zero is still the most fun multiplayer--even just against bots--I've experienced in a while.

As far as the single player campaign goes, it's ruthlessly average. Not bad at all--not even implying that. Everything's rock-solid, action-wise. I just mean the story and the levels are so-so. Nothing standout here. Nothing unsatisfactory, either. You'll get your share of challenges. Some of the stretches you have to navigate in this game will keep you on your toes. I must have tried the bridge assault level ten or twelve times before I made it.

There were a couple of noticeable flaws in the otherwise smooth veneer of this experience, though. One was the physics of a downed bad guy. It's really common in this game for a dead body to start "dancing" on the ground, or even take off and hover in midair for a while. You'll waste a lot of bullets shooting at dead bodies you think are attacking you. Another is the shadows. I haven't seen shadows that pixelated since SNES. Still, these are pretty minor. You won't have a problem overlooking them in favor of the action.

I really liked the music in this game. It seemed to fit perfectly and it did a good job of getting me into whatever was happening onscreen. No thick atmosphere here, but that's a good thing. You're promised an adrenaline rush or ten, and it delivers. Consequently the themes in Dark Zero are much more energetic than in the original. The opening video and song reminded me strongly of Bond credits. Slick.

All in all, I truly liked it. There were flaws, but it was a well-executed game. When you factor in the price you can't go wrong. It's a solid shooter and the adaptable deathmatch will keep you playing for a while.

Game suprised me a lot
This game suprised me a lot, in good and bad ways. I thought game play would be um...average. Well the gameplay in my opinion makes this game. Play CO-OP with a friend online or split screen(my fav. part of this game) play tons of different types of games on x box live. You can even bring a guest online!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you and a friend want to play multiplayer and you dont have x box live but dont want to go head to head...NO PROBLEM just add bots and set their difficulty levels. The controls are very good and there is just so much little stuff that made this game awesome. You can dual wield guns, blow holes through walls with demo kits and unlock/lock doors. There are a lot of differents guns ranging from pistols, sub machine guns to rocket launchers and automatic machine guns. Each gun has a secondary function such as a grenade launcher plus many other unique things. Graphics arent as good as I thought they would be but are still "Next Gen" and sharp. The story line is decent but confusing at time. Overall This game is an awesome launch title game.