Metascore
77 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 20
  2. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. It really does feel like an interactive Bond flick. [Jan 2003, p.130]
  2. While never reaching the first-person shooter standards of games like "Time Splitters 2" or "Red Faction 2," this is still one enjoyable game.
  3. 81
    It's fun as far as it goes, but the experience can't help but feel a little limited at times -- you go there, you do this, you whack a few bad guys in between, and do it all over again once a new objective arises.
  4. 80
    While there aren't as many modes as in a pure multiplayer FPS like "Unreal Tournament," you'll be treated to an intense and thoroughly entertaining skirmish.
  5. Stealing the best gadgets and characters from the movies, NightFire lets you decide how to topple the requisite megalomanical villain: Use stealth and gizmos (like Eurobabe-revealing x-ray specs—thanks, Q!) or go in guns blazing.
  6. The game has a razor-sharp edge that creates space and mood with the slickness of the big-budget films from which its ideas were borrowed. [Jan 2003, p.72]
  7. Whereas recent FPS' have raised the bar for home consoles, ("TimeSplitters 2") Nightfire plays it a little too safe. It's still however, an enjoyable romp.
  8. Those purely looking for a first-person shooter won't find that NightFire is the best choice around, but as a Bond game, NightFire successfully re-creates the style, presentation, and action of its source material.
  9. The difficulty level never escalates to a fevered pitch, and the stages are short, simple in design, and entirely too linear. [Jan 2003, p.90]
  10. 78
    Much like the many potshots you'll take throughout play, it's a very hit or miss endeavor.
  11. Yes, the game is quite short, there are some tremendous lapses in storytelling logic, and there is some mindless, put-your-fist-through-the-screen repetition that makes you long for the earlier, more innovative levels of the game. But the game is one of the best to capture the Bond experience since "Goldeneye."
  12. 76
    Doesn't quite match the Xbox and GameCube titles, but still good fun.
  13. Multiplayer fans should skip this title and pick up "Timesplitters 2" or "Red Faction 2" instead.
  14. Definitely takes a step in the right direction, but everything is still so predictable. [Holiday 2002, p.38]
  15. Predictably-competent (but soulless and extremely short).
  16. A little more challenge, depth, and length with the trimming of the lame on-rails levels would have made this one a near classic. As it is, though, it's an above-average shooter with just enough variety and charm to make the familiar trip worth your time.
  17. Just don't be surprised when you find the game length to be dangerously close to the running time of an average Bond flick.
  18. Far from perfect but always engaging, getting mileage from the equivalent of a wink and a smile even despite the obvious faults.
  19. It's bad enough that you have to sit there and watch as Bond does his thing, but what's really frustrating is that these [cinematic] sequences (parachuting off a skyscraper, somersaulting to avoid gunfire) illustrate precisely the kind of actions that you should be able to control. [22 Nov 2002, p.84]
User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 25 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 21
  2. Negative: 2 out of 21
  1. This is an incredible game. You can get past the violence by remembering that it's James Bond. The graphics are great and seamless. Multi-player is chaotic and fun. The story line feels like a James Bond plot. The weapons are great, and in multi-player it is very nice to have the separate sets of weapons to choose from. The original James Bond theme song mix and the other songs are good and represent the feel of each level accurately. The underwater level has an eery feel, matched with eery music. I love how the first mission is like the opening action sequences of the movies: grabs your attention, but unrelated to the plot. This adds to the James Bond effect. I love how in multi-player you can get the golden gun, and how you can fight in levels based off settings in the movies, as well as shrunk versions of the maps in the game. Full Review »
  2. Awesome game! Single player is whatever, but the best part is playing against bots in the local multiplayer. Playing against bots is really fun and there is lots of options to make it harder/easier. Full Review »
  3. I still do like this given even though it's years old. I just find it to be a nice shooter, it has it's moments of somewhat dullness, and i usually only play it now if i'm playing with friends, but it's still a nice game. Full Review »