Goldeneye 007 on the Nintendo Wii might have been one of the biggest surprises at E3 2010, but with everyone having a little time to think about it, we’ve all quickly realized that instead of excitement, most of the media is filled with confusion and disappointment. Sure we got a remake to one of our favorite games of all time, but it’s on a machine that isn’t even hooked up in the rooms of most gamers who wanted it. The primary audience of a Goldeneye 007 remake is comprised of those who spent hours on end playing Goldeneye in dorm rooms and on weekends in highschool. From what my editor tells me, the game was even huge in the barracks of soldiers stationed at Fort Hood, Texas and I’m sure every other military throughout the world - maybe not communist countries. The point is that the Wii is the wrong place for this game. We know there were all kinds of road blocks that prevented the title from appearing elsewhere, but considering each of the hardware companies had some form of interest in the remake (MS/Rare – original dev, Sony/Columbia – Bond license, and Nintendo with original pub) why not see the game on PS3 and 360?
In addition to the fact that one of the greatest first-person shooters of all time is being remade on a console that most shooter fans will ignore it on, the game is being developed by Eurocom. Activision obviously chose Eurocom for their experience with the Bond license in games like NightFire on the Playstation 2 and original Xbox, but they’re not Rare. When was the last time you saw a game as popular and well-remembered as Goldeneye 007 get remade by a different developer and come anywhere near recapturing the spirit of the original.
A different developer combined with being exclusive on a system where shooters get overlooked might seem like enough to ruin this remake. No, the responsibility of making this an instant failure falls on the shoulders of whoever made the decision to put Daniel Craig in the shoes of Pierce Brosnan. Life is about change and nothing ever stays the same, but some things you just don’t “F” with. You don’t make games based on Roger Moore films and put Pierce Brosnan in Moore’s shoes just like you don’t put Timothy Dalton in anyone else’s shoes. Maybe you can put Connery where he wants – maybe. Basically, you don’t “F” with James Bond.
Now that the initial excitement of a remake for the much beloved shooter has worn off, the reality is that this game will likely fail to recapture the success of the original. For many, the game is already a letdown and its release is still a few months off.
Comments
Fools, then, wouldn't you say?
"When was the last time you saw a game as popular and well-remembered as Goldeneye 007 get remade by a different developer and come anywhere near recapturing the spirit of the original."
Only thing that comes to mind quickly is that Tomb Raider game made by Crystal Dynamics.
"No, the responsibility of making this an instant failure falls on the shoulders of whoever made the decision to put Daniel Craig in the shoes of Pierce Brosnan."
Yes, this one fact means it is impossible the game will turn out well. Kudos on a well spoken point. (Sarcasm in case you missed it.)
"For many, the game is already a letdown and its release is still a few months off. "
Many may be an overstatement.
The only reason why this was so good in the day was that there was nothing like it at the time (which is a fair arguement). Having forged so many good memories, many have been blinded by this fact and have raised it to god status despite it never been.
d-m is right, tho. Those college boys who played this in '97 are in their mid-30's now with kids, and the majority of them are more likely to have a Wii in the house as opposed to the other systems. The majority of today's HD twin players were too busy with their tinker toys or Ken dolls when the original Goldeneye came out. The biggest selling point this has is nostalgia, which won't exist on PS3 or 360.
You are a genius. T
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