In this industry it’s easy to get caught up in the hype. When a game is in development for a long time and is delayed continuously, one of two things is bound to happen. Sometimes you lose interest in the game. But, more often than not, the fact that the game has been delayed so many times subconsciously makes said game even more appealing to you. This is even truer when that game is the launch title for a next-generation console that everybody is talking about. Mixing both the hype of a new game release with the hype of a potential killer application for a whole new system creates a pretty lethal combination. And people are bound to be disappointed when the hype grows to such immense proportions.

Perfect Dark Zero is one of those games that has way too much controversy surrounding it. The game has been in development more than twice as long as your average video game. But the reason is pretty good. It’s a sequel in the form of a prequel to the Nintendo 64 shooter Perfect Dark, which just happens to be one of the most critically acclaimed console shooters ever made. Making matters even more complex, the sci-fi N64 shooter could be referred to as the spiritual sequel to none other than GoldenEye for the same console. So, you could actually say that Perfect Dark Zero’s long development time might be a side-effect of Rare’s success with GoldenEye. When Rare released the 007-themed first-person shooter back in 1997, it had installed its fans with incredibly high expectations, whether it was aware of it or not. Like many other developers, Rare created a huge reputation, and it has since been a ticking time bomb.

But how long can a developer keep to its ridiculously-pleasing standards? With success after success, a company is always in danger of approaching the release of the one game that will destroy its grand reputation. Discussion of Rare losing its “talent” is not new, though. For years now, the developer has been under much scrutiny. After disappointing reviews and reactions to its most recent releases – Grabbed by the Ghoulies and onker Live & Reloaded to name a few – many question how much of the Rare that created blockbusters like GoldenEye is really left. While we don’t have the answer for you, we can tell you this. Rare’s most recent title, Perfect Dark Zero, has had lot riding on its shoulders. And we’re quite surprised just how well the futuristic shooter turned out.

Features

• Joanna Dark is back in the most anticipated Xbox 360 release of the year
  
• Set just a few years before the events that took place in the original Perfect Dark, PDZ is a full-blown prequel set in the year 2020
  
• Compelling storyline shares background information on the famous Ms. Dark for the first time ever
  
• Huge multiplayer mode with tons of options for maps, bots, weapons and much more
  
• Xbox Live online play
  
• Future Xbox Live Marketplace functionality
  
• Rated M for Mature
  
• Dolby Digital 5.1 support
  
• 16x9 widescreen support
  
• 720p support

Joanna is Finally Back
It’s the year 2020, just a few years before the events that unfolded in the original Perfect Dark. Those familiar with the franchises’ story will are treated to plenty of fascinating details regarding Joanna Dark’s past through the game’s single-player mode. But thankfully, even if you’ve never played the original game and want to play the title, you won’t be left out of the loop. While it happens to be a sequel, technically speaking, Perfect Dark Zero is actually a prequel, meaning you can start the franchise with it first if you choose to.



Joanna can now use walls for cover

Corporations control everything. Except for one person, that is. Joanna Dark. You play as the younger, spunkier version of the female heroine from the N64 original. However, there are some things drastically different this time around. For starters, Joanna looks much different than she did in the first game. Gone is the short hair, replacing it is longer red hair complete with highlights. What’s more, Joanna also sports a much spunkier attitude this time around, and she constantly cracks one-liners throughout the game’s single-player mode, offering a lot of personality. These changes are welcome, as they give the title more character than its predecessor.

We don’t want to spoil exactly what happens in Perfect Dark Zero, so unfortunately, we’re going to be light on story-specific details. If you want to know how Joanna became who she is and why she is the way she is in the original game, this is the title for you. It features a unique cast of characters – both good and evil and old and new – that will keep you intrigued as you play through over 12 different single-player missions. Each one of these missions features gameplay similar to the original Perfect Dark. As before, the entire campaign is set around an objective-based mission system meaning you must complete specific objectives to progress and complete each mission.