From Russia with Love

Enter the world of Classic James Bond

NA release: 15th November 2005
EU release: 18th November 2005
JP release: N/A
Developer: EA Redwood Shores
Publisher: EA
NGC Magazine Score: 60%
Mods Used: Widescreen Code

With Pierce Brosnan stepping down from James Bond and Daniel Craig not being chosen yet, EA had to think about what to do with their next James Bond video game. Instead of designing their own Bond again (like Agent Under Fire), they opted for doing something a bit different: bringing an old Bond actor back.

This was a really great move as they picked Sean Connery and got to make a 60s style spy thriller. The attention to detail in the level design is wonderful, and it captures the era extremely well. It makes for a much more visually interesting look than the typical James Bond video game.

The gameplay itself evolves from Everything or Nothing: a solid third person shooter. It features a lock on, but you can adjust the aim once you’ve locked on to target specific areas. It’s extremely quick and snappy, so you’ll be pulling off feats like shooting the ropes rappelling enemies are using or pulling off headshots with ease. It feels great.

It also features vehicle sections. The car sections take place on a small but open map of Istanbul (although you only take place in car chases or occasionally drive to parts of the level) and it’s great that some sections require you to get out of the car to progress. The jetpack from Thunderball also makes a return. Although it feels a bit too advanced for the era, there’s no denying how much fun it is.

The biggest flaw of the game is that it’s based on From Russia With Love. So much stuff had to be changed and whole new plotlines with OCTOPUS bases (they couldn’t use the name SPECTRE due to rights issues at the time) and a whole new ending, all while the pivotal train scene just feels unimportant.

All this could have been avoided by making a brand new story for Connery’s Bond. He had to record all the dialogue for this game anyway, so why not do a brand new story where they can do what they want. Still, the style and gameplay make this a wonderful game.

Great

Problems persist. The driving sections are boring, melee combat clumsy, missions repetitive. Worst thing is the game’s too short. Overall, it’s an experience built around a licence, and not a licence built around a game.
Tim Weaver, NGC Magazine #114

Remake or remaster?

A remaster would be great.

Official Ways to get the game

There’s no official way to get From Russia With Love