Agent Under Fire

When the world needs a hero, James Bond answers the call.

After The World is Not Enough, EA decided that sticking to the schedule of James Bond films wasn’t suited to them, So instead of making a Die Another Day film, EA instead opted to create some brand new Bond adventures, starting with Agent Under Fire. Another notable thing is the lack of Pierce Bronson, instead using a unique design that kind of blends all the Bonds together.

Agent Under Fire still sticks to the first person shooter format, as the game originally began development as a PS2 version of The World Is Not Enough, which would have been the fourth completely different version of that game.

The levels in Agent Under Fire are really well made, offering alternative routes through the use of gadgets. The stealth mechanics aren’t very deep, but are quite fun, and the shooting mechanics are well done, along with the introduction of “Bond Moves”, where you can use parts of the level to your advantage to take out enemies in satisfying ways.

Vehicles are also brought into the mix, with a few really enjoyable driving sections, taking place on semi-open maps. The handling feels great and I would actually quite enjoy a whole game based around this – unfortunately we just have the atrocious 007 Racing. It’s a bit strange that there are pickups around the map, rather than just being something Q installed in the car, but these are still a blast.

The on-rails vehicle sections, however, are not much fun. These seem to go on forever, and while there are a few cool set pieces (like blowing up a petrol station with a helicopter near it), come across as rather bland. The worst of these is the tank section, clearly only included because GoldenEye had a tank, with Bond conveniently finding one after crashing into a random building in the middle of a city.

Agent Under Fire has an enjoyable story, with one major oddity. Bond is not his usual suave womanising self in this, but instead comes across as a creep as he gets caught out due to oggling women multiple times, and even R (EA went all in on Bond’s joke, even though this Q is based more on Desmond Llewelyn’s Q) uses this quirk to trick Bond. The overall plot about clones is still good and has a some surprise twists.

Agent Under Fire set up a good start for EA’s original Bond adventures.

Fun

An inspiring, and engaging first-person shooter in the mould of Rare’s classic this ain’t, and, more relevantly, come this September when Turok and TimeSplitters 2 hit the shelves this will be all but forgotten. But it’s still good enough to keep you going if you can accept it for its many problems. It’ll stir a bit, but it won’t be shaking you.

Geraint Evans, NGC Magazine #70

Remake or remaster?

The reloaded mod is a great fan remastering, but an official remaster and rerelease of EA’s Bond games would be wonderful to see.

Official Ways to get the game

There is no official way to get Agent Under Fire.

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