| 007: Quantum of Solace | |
| |
| Developer(s) | Treyarch |
|---|---|
| Publisher(s) | Activision |
| Series | James Bond 007 |
| Release Date(s) | November 04, 2008 |
| Genre(s) | First-Person Shooter |
| Mode(s) | Single Player
Multiplayer |
| Platform(s) | Xbox 360, Playstation 2, PlayStation 3, Nintendo DS, Wii, Microsoft Windows |
007: Quantum of Solace is a 2008 shooter video game published by Activision. Based on the James Bond films Casino Royale (2006) and Quantum of Solace (2008), it was developed by Treyarch for PlayStation 3 (PS3) and Xbox 360 and by Beenox for Microsoft Windows and Wii, and is mostly played as a first-person shooter, with occasional switches to third-person. Eurocom developed a similar version for the PlayStation 2 (PS2), played solely as a third-person shooter, while Vicarious Visions developed an entirely different version for the Nintendo DS, which is also played from a third-person perspective.
Quantum of Solace marked Activision's first James Bond video game, following a deal the company reached in 2006 to acquire the game rights, previously held by Electronic Arts. The developers referred to previous Bond games, with the acclaimed GoldenEye 007 providing the biggest source of inspiration. They also visited the sets of Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace and incorporated the likeness and voice work of numerous cast members, including Bond actor Daniel Craig, marking his debut in a Bond video game. Other returning cast members included Judi Dench, Eva Green, Mads Mikkelsen, Olga Kurylenko, and Mathieu Amalric.
Quantum of Solace, according to Metacritic, received "mixed or average reviews" across all platforms. Critics generally believed that the game failed to live up to the standards set by GoldenEye due to its repetitive gameplay and short length, although they praised the multiplayer options, voice acting and music.
Plot[]
The game begins with MI6 agent James Bond kidnapping Mr. White, a member of the previously unknown criminal-terrorist organization Quantum. While he and M interrogate White, they are attacked by the traitorous MI6 agent Craig Mitchell, who is killed by Bond while White escapes. Later, Bond spies on a meeting of Quantum members at the Bregenz Opera House and photographs them; among them is Dominic Greene, a well-known environmentalist.
The game jumps forward to Bond crashlanding in Bolivia, where Greene is trying to buy land. By this time, Bond has met Camille Montes, who is seeking vengeance against General Medrano, who is trying to overthrow the Bolivian government. Bond learns that Medrano killed Camille's family, and this is why she wants revenge. Bond opens up to Camille about the death of his former lover Vesper Lynd, recounting his experience during the events of Casino Royale: chasing Mollaka through Madagascar, infiltrating the Miami Science Center to kill Dimitrios, saving Skyfleet from Carlos at Miami International Air Port, killing Bliss en route to Montenegro, meeting Vesper, saving Le Chiffre from Steven Obanno and his men at the Casino, saving Vesper from Le Chiffre, and finally confronting Vesper and Gettler in Venice where Vesper dies, at which point the game flashes back to the present.
Bond and Camille soon arrive at a hotel in the middle of the Bolivian desert. There, Greene and Medrano are discussing the land that Greene wants to buy; Greene will fund Medrano's attempt to overthrow the government in exchange for the land that he wants. Bond and Camille break up the meeting; Camille kills Medrano while Bond kills Greene. During the fight, the hotel's fuel cells are ignited; Bond and Camille manage to escape from the hotel before it explodes. They leave the area in an MI6 helicopter. In the closing scene, it is revealed that Mr. White and Guy Haines are reviewing MI6 debriefings and updates on 007's missions. The game ends with a scene of Bond outside the house telling M that he is going in.
Gameplay[]
Quantum of Solace is played as a shooter game across all platforms, with players taking on the role of James Bond in each version.
Home console and PC version[]
The PC, PS3, Wii, and Xbox 360 versions are primarily a first-person shooter, but perspective switches to third-person whenever Bond takes cover from enemy fire. The PS2 version is played solely from a third-person perspective. Health is automatically regenerated when not taking damage.
The player can hold up to three weapons and can pick up fallen weapons left behind by dead enemies. The player is also given a map of each level and can use hacking to unlock doors and disable security cameras. Stealth can be used and is sometimes necessary to proceed. Examples of this include the use of silenced weapons and silent takedowns of enemy guards. Fights occasionally incorporate quick time events, requiring the player to press the correct button as prompted on-screen.
The various versions are generally the same, though with minor changes to suit the technological capabilities of each platform. The PS2 version excludes the missions set at the Miami airport, on the train, and in Venice. It adds a new mission set in the docks, and all levels feature slightly different designs. The Wii version features controls tailored towards its Wii Remote motion controller, and it supports the Wii Zapper accessory.
DS version[]
The DS game is viewed from a third-person isometric perspective, but switches to an over-the-shoulder view during melee attacks. Gameplay is mostly controlled with the console's touchscreen, which is used to guide Bond around, as well as to aim and shoot at enemies. Bond can jump at predetermined sections in the game.
Scattered throughout each level are various items, including casino chips and cards, which can be used to upgrade abilities. Cards can be equipped in different orders to enhance abilities with varying effects, depending on what poker hands are formed. Chips are used to purchase upgrades such as better aiming.
The DS version follows an altered storyline compared with the other games. The character of Camille is cut altogether, the opening mission at White's Estate is replaced by a training simulation at MI6 Headquarters and, after fighting street gangs in Bolivia, the final mission and boss fights against Greene and Mr. White take place at Guy Haines' Mansion.
Multiplayer[]
Quantum of Solace, with the exception of the PS2 and DS versions, includes a multiplayer option with several game modes. Players are split between MI6 and Quantum. Online multiplayer is available for up to 4 players on the Wii game, and up to 16 players on the other versions. The Wii version also offers an offline split-screen option for up to 4 players. Points are awarded for each round of multiplayer that is won, and these can be used to purchase new weapons and upgrades.
Multiplayer modes in the PC, PS3, and Xbox 360 versions include:
- Bond Versus: One Bond plays against six other members of the 'Organization'. Bond will win if he defuses two of the three bombs, or else eliminates every member of the Organization. To make the game fairer Bond has two lives, can see all enemies, and can use any weapon set (whereas the members of the Organization have only 3 basic options). The Organization wins if Bond dies twice or if he cannot defuse two bombs in the time limit.
- Team Conflict: Basic Team Deathmatch of MI6 versus the 'Organization'.
- Golden Gun: This is a standard free-for-all conflict, which the main aim is to score 100 points. One point is scored for a kill with normal weapons, or for picking up the Golden Gun, while kills while holding the Golden Gun (or killing the person with it) scores 6. The winner is the first to score 100 points or the highest number of points in the allotted time limit.
- Bond Evasion: There are two teams, MI6 and The Organization. One player from the MI6 team is randomly designated as Bond, and therefore as the VIP. MI6 wins the round if Bond can get to the escape point, or if all of the Organization are eliminated. The Organization wins if Bond is prevented from escaping within the time limit, or if he dies.
- Territory Control: Basic match of one team having to control a point to gain points for their team.
- Classic: Players starts with a GF 18 A (Glock 18). Weapons and explosives are spawned around the level for them to pick up.
The Wii version has less multiplayer options:
- Conflict: This is a death-match. Up to four players compete versus each other to score as many kills as possible in a selectable number of minutes.
- Rush: This is a mission death-match. All players (up to four) are against each other and are assigned certain missions to complete in a selectable number of minutes.
- Team Conflict: The goal is to get the most kills for the player team (Organization versus MI-6). The teams can be constructed in any way (3 vs 1, 2 vs 2, 4 vs 0, in a four-player match). There is a time limit of 15 minutes.
- Team Rush: This is a team play game. The goal is to do specific missions before the other team does, all while staying alive. 15 minutes is the time limit.
Boxart[]
Screenshots[]
See also[]