Developer Bizarre Creations, known for its work on the Blur racing game, delivered James Bond 007: Blood Stone in 2010. This third-person shooter, featuring an original story penned by James Bond film and game writer Bruce Feirstein, offers players a familiar blend of cover-based combat and stunt driving.
Gameplay Mechanics
The core gameplay loop revolves around a standard third-person shooting formula. Players find cover, eliminate waves of enemies, and then advance to new cover positions. When enemies close in, Bond can execute motion-captured Takedown kills, which in turn grant "Focus Aims." While the game includes some stealth segments that require a degree of caution, the overall combat experience is largely described as bland. The camera often proves to be an annoyance, with its movement likened to steering a boat with a compromised rudder, making navigation feel awkward.
Driving sequences are more consistent, with some sections evoking the high-octane feel of Bond films. These moments include slow-motion escapes under collapsing structures. However, other driving sections present numerous hairpin turns that can end a chase prematurely if not handled carefully. Despite frequent checkpoints, some of these driving challenges proved frustrating.
Narrative and Presentation
The game's original story involves bioterrorists with names such as Bernin and Pomerov. While serviceable as a spy narrative, it is ultimately characterized as uninteresting. The voice performances, including Daniel Craig as James Bond and Judi Dench as M, are present in frequent cutscenes and phone conversations, but these are described as soporific. These narrative interludes offer a brief respite from the mediocrity of the shooting, which is itself interrupted by cinematic, hands-off sequences designed to showcase Bond's timely escapes. The game also features inane scanning and hacking mechanics using Bond's "magic smartphone."
Campaign Length and Multiplayer
James Bond 007: Blood Stone features a campaign that lasts approximately five hours. The game also includes three multiplayer modes, notably excluding the driving segments that offered some of the game's more engaging moments.
Despite its lineage and the pedigree of its developer, Blood Stone is considered a by-the-numbers licensed title that ultimately delivered a forgettable experience, falling short of the quality associated with the James Bond franchise.