Friday From the Archives: Nightfire (2002)

Every Friday we celebrate the heritage of Code Redd Net by posting a retro-review from our considerable back catalogue of embarrassingly naive, but nonetheless entertaining and heartfelt, movie and game reviews. Please pardon the prose; most of these articles were written in our immediately post-pubescent years. Hopefully you find them as enjoyable as we do.

Once again, I still have many of these same opinions about Nightfire, though I wouldn't cherry-pick so many inconsequential details, such as my fixation on Bond's voice. And though I cringe when I read about Chicken Man and I supposedly "[giggling] like school girls" as a result of this admittedly incongruous voice, I do find something very amusing and endearing when I see how a computer-rendered representation of an automobile produces such a guttural yell as "Awww yeah!" Life was so simple back then. Also ludicrous is my claim that I'm a "veteran" of the shooter genre. Still, Nightfire has really grown on me since the time of this review (only a few days after the game came out, strangely enough, making for one of the few times we wrote something timely, and I'm proud to say that trend continues to this day) and my comments on its multiplayer are spot on. So, like I said then, Nightfire is certainly no TimeSplitters 2, but it is a wonderful game, one of the best Bond's available on PS2.

"Last year's Agent Under Fire left a sour taste in my mouth. It had some great ideas, but was just a decent, if somewhat sloppy, FPS. Nightfire, coming a year later, makes a substantial upgrade, in what might be the best 007 title since TWINE for the N64. For one, NF comes eerily close of maintaining everything expected from a movie with a license to kill. The opening sequence, attending parties, Pierce Brosnan's cyber-scanned noggin all scream 007 coolness. Except for a major flaw: His voice. Chicken Man and I giggled like a school girls the first time we heard it. 'Sounds like Connery with a cold. But what would Bond be without some sweet Q-division vehicles? How about the V12 Vanquish? Awww yeah! These levels are superb, and play a lot like Spy Hunter (read: That's a good thing) but sometimes feel a bit on rails; most of the said coolness happens in cut scenes, which is a flaw I can't help but pick out. 80% of the game is FPS, so I expected something special. And, thankfully, these fared well, with a veteran of the genre like me. Especially appealing is the multiple pathways to finish a level. Nice. Multiplayer-wise, NF exceeds my expectations completely: The high level of bot customization, the minitank/helicopters, hidden characters, all of which are excellent and full of variety. NF is no Timesplitters 2, but it stands on its own quite nicely."

From Russia With Love 100%, and more

You know the curse of completionism that afflicts us. I'm proud to say there's one less game that keeps me up at night: From Russia With Love is absolutely, totally, and decidedly destroyed. That means all awards, all schematics, and all attache cases. Furthermore, this means I have completed all of the Bond games for PS2; Agent Under Fire, Nightfire, Everything or Nothing, and now this. I must say, FRWL is considerably easier to 100% than any of the aforementioned games. I echo Chicken Man's assessment of this game, only stopping to add that cutscenes cannot be skipped in the single-player campaign, even if you have already completed the stage in question. In any event, Bond fans should pick the game up; matter of fact, pick all four of them up online or at your favorite used game emporium and you probably won't spend more than $12-13 max. And if you need assistance in completing this (or any other game, really) I hasten to link you over to the FRWL GameFAQs page for all sorts of guides and strategies.

Now, it seems as though Chicken Man is having a bit of trouble finishing up those gold and platinum awards in Nightfire. Considering the logistical distance between us at the present moment, I have decided to create a series of video walkthroughs for the later levels to assist him in dealing with his completionist impulse. These videos will be released as part of our Code Redd Net Home Video collection, tentatively titled, "Chicken Man, In the Hour of Need" and may feature additional games in the future.

Stay tuned to Code Redd Net for future updates, as well as our weekly feature, "Friday From the Archives" and a review of the unintentionally hilarious Driv3r.

Wii Review: GoldenEye 007 (2010)

I came of age with a Playstation 1, so I all but missed out on the GoldenEye N64 phenomenon. Unlike many of those so childishly attached to that object of shared adolescence, I'm clearly not a GoldenEye loyalist, and it was with a welcoming attitude that I greeted this Wii remake, not automatic disdain. The story is generally the same: nuclear space weapons are hijacked and Bond must work with the sole survivor of a Russian research facility in order to disarm them, only to discover that the heist was plotted by the former agent 006, Alec Trevelyan, his best buddy. Changes to the story are mostly cosmetic, usually involving the relocation of missions and shifts in characters' appearance and narrative function (in some instances). These shifts bring the story up-to-date, while simultaneously meeting the demands of Daniel Craig's version of Bond; less gadgetry, less stealth, and considerably more to outright brutality. These single-player missions are fundamentally tailored to meet Craig's Bond halfway, and though they play reasonably well, they are far too linear in progression. It is too easy to navigate through these worlds, too obviously marked where players should go next, and there is no room for exploration or multiple approaches to completing mission objectives as there were in the original GoldenEye. Furthermore, stealth is downgraded to a few short segments of silent takedowns, and only (as stipulated by the linear structure of the levels themselves) when the game wants you to be stealthy. In many ways, GoldenEye's single-player is like the last Bond film, Quantum of Solace, in that it doesn't feel like a Bond game without the stealthy portions and the ridiculous gadgets. Instead, it feels (and plays) more like your typical Call of Duty-style shooter. In terms of multiplayer, GoldenEye is solid, if unimpressive. Of course, the lack of computer-controlled bots to fill up the maps is as unsurprising as it frustrating; their MIA status in more recent games continues. Online multiplayer is fun for a while, but becomes tiresome after more than a few go-arounds on the rather bland maps. GoldenEye is a fun rental, especially for those curious to see the changes from the N64 original, but unfortunately it has little replayability to offer.

PS2 Review: Second Sight (2004)

I think the word underrated gets bandied about by reviewers a bit too much, but in the case of Second Sight, I feel comfortable applying that label: Second Sight is truly, regrettably, and criminally underrated. You play as psychologist and recent amnesia victim John Vattic as he attempts to recover his past, as well as come to grips with his newfound psychic powers. A vast military conspiracy unravels as you dig deeper into his "past." I say "past" because notions of past and present are significantly altered later on in the game; It's a somewhat brave and brainy twist for a video game. In terms of gameplay, Second Sight is likewise full of interesting twists on the traditional third-person shooter. Vattic is endowed with an array of psychic powers, including telekinesis, healing, projection (sending out a ghost-like representation of Vattic to sneak past laser security systems and the like), possession (physically inhabiting and controlling the bodies of his adversaries), charm (disappearing from sight), and others. These powers are gradually recovered throughout the game, and this method of discovery gracefully ushers players in, ensuring a smooth learning curve. And thanks to these powers, Second Sight is slightly more stealth-oriented than most action games, though players can plow through the levels with more or less reckless abandon if they feel up to the challenge. Graphically, this game looks fantastic, albeit in its own unrealistic way. Little touches do wonders, such as the blood footprints that follow Vattic if he happens to step through his victims' bodies rather than around them. Unfortunately, Second Sight is rather short, especially without a multiplayer option to give its replay value a boost. But its levels are rife with minor rewards and easter eggs for the curious explorer, and Second Sight is certainly a game you will want to replay.

The World is Evidently Not Enough

All 007 fans have favorite and sentimental favorite films in the series, and the difference is significant. At Code Redd Net, our sentimental favorite is certainly The World is Not Enough (1999). By no means a perfect film, TWINE is nevertheless one of the more underappreciated entries among both the popular press and Bond aficionados. Take a look at these "Best of Bond" countdowns from Entertainment Weekly and IGN. TWINE is, respectively, the worst and fifth worst Bond film to date, according to these websites. Why the hate? Perhaps we're prejudiced against Roger Moore and his sleezy take on the series, but we do have reasons for promoting this underdog. What might they be? Check out our Christmas Jones and Garbage-free list below:

1. Extended and exciting pre-title sequence that is directly part of the main plot.


2. The boat chase.


3. The plot itself is interesting and surprisingly psychological for a Bond narrative.


4. Strong villain in Electra King (Sophie Marceau) and her relationship with the terrorist Renard.


5. Same goes for Renard (Robert Carlyle), and his relationship with Electra.


6. Last film featuring Desmond Lewellyn as Q.


7. Judi Dench as M in a role more important than simply delivering expository info.


8. Bullion

Movie Review: Killer Elite (2011)

The Jason Statham combat collection is rife with absurdly amusing fights, and certainly his chair-tied, backflip-splash smackdown of a mustacheod Clive Owen in Killer Elite ranks right up there with the best of them. Unfortunately, however, this movie fails to sustain the over-the-top stupidity, instead boring us with mundanely executed action-assassin cliches until the inevitable Statham/Owen main event delivers the goods, albeit too little, too late. The plot revolves around the kidnapping of Statham's mentor, played by Robert De Niro, and subsequently his forced involvement in assassinating three ex-SAS members to free De Niro from captivity. Clive Owen becomes involved at the behest of a secret military society and seeks to stop Statham from completing his mission. Precisely what drives Owen is never clarified, and really, what drives any of these characters besides Statham (he has a soft spot for innocent children and pretty women) is never clarified. But a muddled story never stopped an action movie before, and Killer Elite is certainly just another action movie. Besides the aforementioned climatic chair acrobatics, nothing here really stands out, besides an overabundance of headbuts and low blows. Your best bet is to stay home, watch the trailer for the chair scene, and then throw in Transporter 2 (2005) for a better, and more appropriately absurd, action romp.

And Now on Facebook!

Help Code Redd Net in this nascent stage of social networking:

facebook.com/codereddnet

Friday From the Archives: Agent Under Fire (2001)

Every Friday we celebrate the heritage of Code Redd Net by posting a retro-review from our considerable back catalogue of embarrassingly naive, but nonetheless entertaining and heartfelt, movie and game reviews. Please pardon the prose; most of these articles were written in our immediately post-pubescent years. Hopefully you find them as enjoyable as we do.

Looking at this review now, I'm simultaneously horrified and proud, as I so often am of my early work. Quite frankly, I'm surprised I understood how to properly use the word "amalgam" in a sentence. Beyond that, I still hold true to most of these opinions. I played one of the driving mission this morning, "Streets of Bucharest," and it was just as much fun as I remembered, perhaps even better than those in either Nightfire or From Russia With Love. I certainly wouldn't consider the storyline to be "good" except in a kitsch-y way, and I think the controls are a bit slippery. Furthermore, comparing its multiplayer to GoldenEye is a bit of a stretch, but I do remember enjoying our battles and the absurd possibilities of low-gravity gunfights with jet-packs and and Q-claws. Unfortunately, the PS2 version lacks bots, something which always irritates me in a game like this. Still, this is a good game, and well worth seeking out for Bond buffs.


"Cutting edge graphics, entertaining multiplayer, awesome driving sequences and a good storyline equal one great 007 adventure. The FPS levels are entertaining and the rail-shooter missions offer variety to the game, but the real surprise is the driving missions. I understand that the people behind the Need for Speed games worked with these missions. The voice-acting is superb and AUF has many familiar voices to Bond fans. James Bond himself, though, is not voiced by Pierce Brosnan. Instead, he is somewhat of a amalgam of past Bonds. He looks like Brosnan/Moore and sounds like Sean Connery. The story has plenty of twists to it and is very entertaining. Control-wise the game is good, but it takes some time. Multiplayer is just as good as the rest of the game. If you want an idea about what it is like just think of GoldenEye for N64, but with a faster pace and more enclosed battlegrounds. Overall, this game is sure to please 007 fans and non-fans alike."

Movie Review: Kiss of the Dragon (2001)

Jet Li movies tend to be much more adult, in terms of both story and stunts, than those of Jackie Chan. And while I still believe Chan to be the superior artist, though he treads in lighter fare, I have nevertheless grown something of an appreciation for Li's back catalogue. His sensibility is more hardcore and hip-hop than pop (and this is substantiated by films such as the somewhat anemic but blithe DMX team-up, Cradle 2 the Grave). Likewise, his films are populated with a grotesquerie of whores, pimps, pedophiles, gangsters, and other almost-overbearingly foul-mouthed characters. Kiss of the Dragon (2001) is certainly no different. Li plays a Chinese operative stuck in Paris and betrayed by his corrupt French cohorts, led by Police Inspector Richard. He is subsequently forced to enlist the aid of a hooker named Jessica (Bridget Fonda) in order to clear his name. As you would imagine, all manner of fights ensue as Li tracks down Inspector Richard, systematically eliminating his subordinates while simultaneously protecting Fonda from harm. In this way, the film has a simple and straightforwardly linear progression, similar to an old video game; you could conceivably break the film down into stages, each with their own boss fight, and each "leveling up" our hero as he sprints to the final battle. These "stages" feature some creative stunt set-ups, including a harrowing (and almost Hitchcockian) laundry shoot escape, as well as a superb showdown between Li and two behemoths in an abandoned office. Fonda is a surprising find, as she brings some seldom-seen dramatic weight to her character despite its "Hooker with a Heart of Gold" tropeism. Save for a few "stages," Kiss of the Dragon is unremarkable, but nonetheless entertaining, kung fu filler.

Now On Twitter!

You can't say we shun technology.

Follow @CodeReddNet

James Bond - The Art of Manliness

I came across an interesting article (that is, if you are interested in James Bond and the art of manliness). Check it out here.

PS2 Review: Freedom Fighters (2003)

To my mind, atmosphere counts for a lot in a game. I need to feel as if the world I temporarily inhabit has a certain authenticity -- you might say verisimilitude to avoid the trap of "realism" -- that immerses and unifies gameplay with setting. Freedom Fighters has more pure atmosphere and art direction than almost any other video game to date, from beautifully detailed environments to an outstanding orchestral score. And all that atmosphere serves to enhance one of the best tactical shooters on the PS2. Similar to my comments on Rise to Honor, I find that the story of Freedom Fighters is just the right kind of kitsch, combining equal parts Escape from New York and Red Dawn for a story about an alternative history in which New York is invaded and occupied by Soviets, and the revolution of New Yorkers against their oppressors. Yet, as in Rise to Honor, the derivative narrative and cheesy voice-acting meet the generic expectations of the aforementioned films. In terms of gameplay, Freedom Fighters is very much like the Hitman series crossed with Rainbow Six. Players fill up a "charisma" meter (representing the faith of your fellow revolutionaries in your leadership abilities) by completing mission objectives; more objectives completed means you can command a larger squad, starting with two and ultimately culminating with a militia of 12. Leading these soldiers into battle is surprisingly uncomplicated, avoiding the perpetual babysitting of other squad-based shooters. Players use one of three face buttons to command troops to follow, hold, or attack; pressing the button instructs one, holding the button instructs them all. Simple though it sounds, this system is nonetheless complex and precise. Completing missions with your burgeoning squad is a blast, especially when coupled with the amazing atmosphere I mentioned previously. Of particular note is the musical score, which plays ambiently throughout your clandestine operations and highlights the mechanical nature of the Soviet machine by mixing opera with synth. This score changes dynamically when tasks are completed; one common occurrence are the angelic voices that follow the destruction of helipads or bridges or the assassination of prominent Soviet leaders. Freedom Fighters does seem somewhat too short, however. Multiplayer does alleviate this to some degree, but its deathmatches are only truly entertaining when played by four players simultaneously, and this is further limited by the paltry selection of maps and customizable options. This, though, is simply icing on a delicious cake. Freedom Fighters is one of the most complete and compelling games available for the PS2. It gets my strongest recommendation.

Special Wednesday Edition From the Archives: The Tuxedo (2002)

Jackie Chan's movie's have always have always had a cult following up until Rush Hour, which brought him to mainstream America audiences. More recently, the tremendous success of Rush Hour 2 has signified Chan as a major international star. The Tuxedo, co-starring Jennifer Love Hewitt, is a major departure from the typical Jackie movie. It's also not one of his best. First off, the plot, while just barely adequate, is rather throw-away; it's really too far-fetched. Other than that, the comedy included here is good, and the action scenes are pretty tight. The whole movie is basically a spoof of spy flicks, which is a nice break from the more traditional kung-fu material. But, I found that I enjoyed Chan's more realistic chop-sockey action flicks (such as the terrific Rush Hour movies) more. It seems this movie focused on comedy, and to a lesser extent, action, which killed my buzz in the end. The total package offered here is worthy of your money, although many will feel a little let down, knowing it's potential.

PS2 Review: From Russia With Love

On its face, FRWL seems like the Sean Connery version of Everything or Nothing, being based on the classic movie. Is it a worthy successor to what may be the best Bond game? There are quite a few similarities: obviously the fact that it's third person, there is gunplay, hand-to-hand combat, some driving, and the difficulty is on par.

There are some things that are better. By far, my favorite is that there are different outfits that can be found throughout the game (the classic white tux, the black tux, Connery's gray suit, the black outfit he wears for stealth applications, among others) and Connery is your Barbie, at any time in the game. The Gold/Plat system is done away with, and replaced with objectives that must be completed to purchase unlocks. It may be positive or negative based on your tastes for difficulty, but I find this to be an easier system, as the objectives need not be completed simultaneously. The unlocks themselves are quite useful, as they can be used to upgrade weapons (whereas in EoN, they gave you longer battery life, which was useful though hard, for me at least, to notice). Multiplayer also feels like a little bit less than the simple diversion that EoN was, if only for the fact that not a single-camera for everyone, which allows more of the single player mechanics (such as wall-hugging) to come into play. Oh yeah, and you get jet packs, which are pretty cool.

"Jetpacks, you say?"

However, there were a few things that didn't measure up to EoN standards. The most glaring omission is co-op. Whereas Eon had top-notch two player action, FRWL totally neglected this. Why? The hand-to-hand combat is less satisfying because instead of it having its own buttons, melee attacks come about when you are pressing the same button to shoot but happen to be closer to the target. Also, the joyous abandon of jumping off a ledge and immediately rappelling was done away with, only to be replaced by the hand-thrown grappling hook (which is cool in its own right, but doesn't seem to fit with a fast-paced, technologically inclined member of Her Majesty's Secret Service).

Comparisons aside, FRWL is a solid game, not just something with a Bond logo like GoldenEye: Rogue Agent. It offers plenty of gameplay in terms of length with enough of a challenge along the way for shooter veterans. Though I haven't gotten there myself, it seems to have a place in the trophy case of the moderate completionist. Although it is not on the same level as EoN, at its current price, FRWL is a thumbs up.

Home Video Exclusive: Winback's "Bad" Ending

Coming in November!

Friday From the Archives: Crazy Taxi (2001)

Most arcade-to-home transitions severely lack replay value in those titles, but not Crazy Taxi. Instead of just your standard modes, CT includes one extra city map and the Crazy Box, a feature full of mini-games. And the regular game is all in there, and the good graphics and excellent controls only complement this fantastic title. On Both DC and PS2 there should be no reason that you do not own this game. There is only a few spots of slowdown, but it is so rare you won't mind. Rounding this game off is a stellar soundtrack that fits the mood of the game perfectly. And I must agree with my colleague, we have very good taste. This is a must buy.

Code Redd Net Home Video

Presenting the launch of our new Home Video division with two hot new videos:





Visit our division homepage at http://www.youtube.com/user/codreddnethomevideo

Look for more incredible videos in the coming weeks.

Special Wednesday Edition From the Archives: Rise to Honor (2004)

Video games haven’t been too kind to the martial arts, especially lately. Sure, Jackie Chan had his Stuntmaster for the PS1, and Bruce Lee starred in Quest of the Dragon for Xbox, but both games are considered to be mediocre, even for us optimists. Outside of those two games though, nothing else noteworthy has come about to save this colorless genre. But in February of 2004, Rise to Honor became the exception. Starring Jet Li, the game attempts to fully recreate a believable Jet Li-style of film, and at that it succeeds, with only a few minor aberrations and one trivial misconception. The story is rather simple, but if this is to be as authentic a replication of a Jet Li movie as possible, the narrative can be as facile as it wants to be. It is a rare instance where I’ll allow a game to have such a lucid and vanilla story pass without some snide or cynical remark, but in Rise to Honor, it just fits in with the motif of the game. Essentially, you play as Kit Yun, an undercover cop who has infiltrated a crime organization, and must carry out the wishes of the dying Boss Chiang, the leader of this syndicate. As in most films of this variety, the story is just the avenue through which we progress to the fight sequences, and this is where Rise to Honor truly flourishes. The dual-analog controls, which is the basis of the game, have more in common with the fluidity of NBA Live than the traditional button-slamming techniques of other action games. The left analog stick controls your movement, while the right controls your punch and kick combinations in all directions. R1 can grab your adversaries, block oncoming attacks, and perform various actions prompted onscreen such as climbing or jumping. L1, used in combination with R1, will accomplish a counter attack, and holding L1 will unleash impressive special moves from your adrenaline meter, built up from frequent successful attacks. During no single part of the game do the controls become unmanageable or difficult. Rather, everything flows together concertedly thanks to, at least in part, the superlative motion-capture of Jet Li and his stunt crew. Every action, every punch, looks devastating and realistic in its presentation. Being surrounded by numerous antagonists, which happens quite often, allows the player to combine attacks in various directions and on various enemies. The analog stick fighting system works well and is unique, and in combination with the use of L1 for throws and adrenaline attacks, as well as the awesome interactive environments, each scene looks unique and not unlike an actual Jet Li movie. At times during the game, Kit Yun picks up a pair of dual pistols with unlimited ammo in an attempt to diversify the gameplay, which it does wonderfully. Unfortunately, another attempt was made to expand the game, with less-than-stellar results. Stealth is thrown into the mix at several moments in the game, with an outcome that’s more trial-and-error than it is Splinter Cell. The last stealth level, near the end of the game, is especially painful. These levels hurt the game to some degree, by taking a great pace set by the fighting and occasional shooting, and slowing it to a near crawl. Thankfully, there are only a few stealth levels, so we can get back to the action somewhat quickly. The graphics look marvelous, from the superb character models to the gorgeous backgrounds that lock you in Hong Kong and San Francisco. The audio is also admirable; I especially like the Mandarin dialect in the Hong Kong missions, complete with English subtitles, and the switch to English language when the story moves to San Fran. The music is good, if mostly unnoticeable. As for extras, Rise to Honor has a select few. Perhaps too few, for my taste. A nice making-of video accompanies concept art, an extra difficulty mode, and a few extra “skins” for Kit to wear based on Jet Li’s previous movies (the last two are unlocked by completing the game). And without a multiplayer option, which I think would have been an awesome addition, the game’s replay value falters a bit, but only slightly. In few words, Rise to Honor is a first-rate game, a game so good it can only be marginally damaged by its infrequent errors. A strong recommendation, without question.