Perfect Dark Zero (Xbox 360)
Published by Microsoft

Among the first batches of Xbox 360 games, few had the hype of the highly anticipated Perfect Dark Zero. The follow-up to the immensely popular N64 game, Perfect Dark, Zero has a ready-built fan base to impress. But does it have the substance to backup the hype? Not really.

In Perfect Dark Zero, you play as Joanna Dark in the high-tech world of the year 2020. Using a variety of firearms and special gadgets, you progress through the game with a mixture of combat and stealth.

This is a next generation title, so good graphics are pretty much required. Perfect Dark Zero does tote some gorgeous high-definition visuals, with vast outside landscapes being the most impressive among them. Likewise, the weapons and enemies are very clear, bold, and resolute, with some great effects that add to the game's enjoyment. However, I noticed that on more than a few occasions, these demanding visuals would get a bit glitchy. Certain objects would get terribly aliased and the cut scenes seemed to flow in a choppy and unnatural manner. Finally, Perfect Dark Zero only supports 720p HDTV output, a step below the 1080i offered by other 360 titles.

The first player mode is probably one of the more boring I've played for a first-person shooter. Thankfully its short, because playing it seems more like a necessary chore than an enjoyable experience. There were a few redeeming sequences--a rooftop sniping fest, among them--but on a whole, the focus on stealth over guns-a-blazing kind of turned me off to it.

Then there's the multiplayer, probably one of the game's biggest selling points. It's not bad, really, just nothing special. There's the standard game modes (deathmatch, teams, capture the flag), plus a few more for good measure. On the upside, the games support 32 players--a big advantage over Call of Duty 2's meager 8. Also, there's the option to fill player slots with AI controlled Bots, allowing for you and a few friends to blast away at the computer.

To me, next-generation should be more than just a pretty face. The potential of the Xbox 360 is much more than what this game offers. Granted, Perfect Dark Zero is a release title, and as such shouldn't be expected to tap the console's full power, but this game is mediocre even with last-gen standards. Thankfully, its $10 cheaper price tag at $50 makes its purchase a little less disappointing.

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