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Developer: 4J Studios
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Release Date: March 17th, 2010
Price: 800

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perfect_Dark

Perfect Dark is a first-person shooter video game originally released for the Nintendo 64 in 2000. The game was developed by Rare, creators of the multimillion-selling GoldenEye 007, an earlier first-person shooter with which Perfect Dark shares many gameplay features. It was branded as a RARE published game in North America and Europe, although Nintendo distributed and marketed the title. This game is also considered the spiritual successor to GoldenEye 007.

| Perfect Dark on XBLA - what's new |

http://rareware.com/games/pdarcade/introduction.html
http://xboxlive.ign.com/articles/106/1068824p1.html


• All single player and multiplayer features of the original will make the transition intact
• 1080p HD visuals
• Updated models, textures, and skyboxes
• Character models that were originally 300 polygons now boast 3500, while guns have leapt from 150 polygons to nearer 2000.
• 60 frames per second
• Online multiplayer including Co-Operative, Counter-Op and Challenges
• Leaderboards
• GoldenEye weapons will now be available in multiplayer
• First Xbox Live Arcade game with 20 achievements
• Avatar awards

http://perfectdark.retropixel.net/pd/

The year is 2023. Technology continues to thrive and advance, bringing anti-gravity devices and holographic technology into reality. Many corporations have invested in furthering the world's hi-tech industry, with big businesses running the show. One such developer, the dataDyne Corporation, seeks new levels of technology ceaselessly in the race to be number one.

Recent developments have secured their lead manufacturing position, with companies all around the world sharing the fruits of their labor. Despite these advances, global prosperity is still unachieved, as the leader of dataDyne seeks power and dominance in everything she does.

Their latest invention certainly adds to dataDyne's ego, with the world's first sentient AI computer, capable of thinking and making decisions on its own. Named "Dr. Caroll" and developed in secret, the AI quickly demonstrates its robotic personality. It seemed the robot developed its very own morals and refused to continue with dataDyne's tasks, as it felt they betrayed ethical and moral standards.

Before dataDyne could counter the issue by removing Dr. Caroll's personality, the robot contacts the Carrington Institute - headed by world-renowned entrepreneur Daniel Carrington. Dr. Caroll hopes to find salvation and extraction from dataDyne with the hope of revealing their seedy and dark dealings.

Cue freshly-trained CI agent Joanna Dark, ready to face her first mission. Briefed on the extraction operation awaiting her, this mission seems ideal to launch Joanna's experience.

There's more than meets the eye though, as when Joanna recovers Dr. Caroll they'll discover the shrouded secrets of dataDyne and a hidden plot threatening the entire planet. The pressure's on, and the fate of many will rest with Joanna's success or failure.

http://www.giantbomb.com/perfect-dark/61-21256/
http://perfectdark.retropixel.net/pd/combat/simulants.php


| The Carrington Institute |

When the game starts up, the player picks a profile and is given a menu with all the basic play options available. However, you can back out of this menu and walk around the Carrington Institute as Joanna. You can also fiddle around with objects that you find in the building. The Institute is a multi-story complex with a handful of rooms to peruse pre- and post-mission.

• The Firing Range. Here, weapons the player unlocks in the story mode and the challenges can be used in individually tailored target tests. There is a bronze, silver, and gold test for each weapon and winning enough golds will unlock classic weapons from GoldenEye 007 for use in the single player missions. The computer in the range's antechamber has detailed information about each weapon such as fire rate. The firing range also allows you to practice your shooting skill with each gun in the game (in story mode). When you complete all bronze medals, you get an achievement. This goes for the silver and gold medals too.

• The Device Room. As in most spy games, Dark has a host of gadgets she uses during her adventure. The Device Room lets you try them out instead of leaving you banging your head against the wall when you misuse them in the real missions, forcing you to start over.

• The Simulation Room. This room has several maneuvering exercises you can complete, most improving your skills in evasion and disarming opponents. It gives you the experience needed to deal with hostage situations in story mode. You'll need to be quick, witty and skilled with a gun and your bare hands for this room.

• The Data Room. The computer on the left side of this room has personnel information on important characters in the story. This information fills in through playing the story missions. Once you fill in this computer to its max on the characters in the game, you will unlock those characters in multiplayer mode.​

| Story Mode |

The primary component of the game, Joanna must complete story missions, which are levels strung together by an overarching plot. There are no save-points in the middle of a level, and the player must restart the level after failing. Each has a set of objectives that varies with the difficulty setting, becoming more involved as the difficulty increases. There are three difficulty settings, but a fourth setting, Perfect Dark, lets the player decide the skill of the opponents. Perfect Dark difficulty is only available after completing every level on Perfect Agent, the game's highest difficulty.

| Co-Operative Mode |

Here, two players can share a split screen while they do the missions. Only the first player, who holds any mission-critical equipment, must survive. A single player can also team up with three artificial intelligence controlled allies in this mode.

| Counter-Op Mode |

Counter-Op puts a spin on co-operative play, with one player playing as enemies while the other controls Joanna Dark. The player controlling the enemies have the same low health, but takes control of another enemy after dying.

| Combat Simulator |

This is the multiplayer mode, where up to four players fight against each other or up to eight CPU opponents. Here you can set up your profile and customize your character's head, body and name as well as view your statistics and combat simulator ranking.

Combat Simulator gametypes:

• Combat: One kill equals one point. Players spawn in random locations on the map, possibly even in rooms with enemies present. Teams can be arranged.

• Hold the Briefcase: Grab the case and don't let anyone take it. The briefcase randomly spawns into the level at the beginning of the match, then trades hands every time its holder is killed; the case drops to the floor right where the previous bearer died. Holding the case for 30 seconds earns you a point.

• Capture the Case: Each team gets a spawn zone and briefcase they must defend while they attempt to perpetrate the same against their opponents. Three points are awarded for complete capture; that is, grabbing the enemy's case and bringing it back to their home case. The case can only be captured if your own case has not been nabbed.

• King of the Hill: Randomly determined areas of each map must be held for twenty continuous seconds to earn points. If an enemy steps onto the hill while you are capturing it, the timer pauses until they leave. Each teammate on the hill when the timer hits zero is awarded a point.

• Hacker Central: An obscure hybrid of king of the hill and capture the case, Hacker Central puts a computer and a data uplink on the map. In order to score points, a player must grab the Data Uplink, bring it to the computer, and hack it. Many obstacles stand in the way of success in this mode. For one, the Data Uplink must be held in lieu of a weapon while hacking, leaving the hacker totally defenseless. The Data Uplink also doesn't just drop when its holder dies; it re-spawns in a distant location.

• Pop a Cap: One kill equals two points if you shoot the right person. Pop a Cap assigns a player special target status until they die, making them a more valuable kill. The target gets a point for every thirty seconds they go without dying.​

| Challenges |

There are also 30 challenges in the Combat Simulator. They are played against bots, or "Simulants" as they are referred to in the game. These can be played by up to four players with escalating bot numbers and difficulty for more players. At first only four challenges are available, but each one you beat unlocks the next one. Beating Challenges rewards the player with extra weapons to use in multiplayer combat.

| Simulants |

There are six normal simulants a player can battle against, as well as many special simulants which have a twist on their personalities. The simulants range from very unintelligent to almost unbeatable. You will have to face the range of simulants in each challenge, and as the challenges increase, you will battle against more intelligent opponents.

Standard Simulants:

• MeatSim
MeatSims are the easiest and therefore least intelligent of all the sims. This sim is the perfect choice for a beginner, as it's movement is slow and it has extremely poor accuracy. Take your time with these sims and use them for practice.

• EasySim
This simulant has basic skills, movement and accuracy, and it also is the first sim which uses the Disarm attack. Not very skilled, be careful though as they should not be underestimated. Use this sim for a casual and fun battle.

• NormalSim
NormalSims have the skill of the average player. These guys have much more skill than easy and meat sims, use these sims if you want to have a moderate challenge and a battle where you won't be guaranteed a win - just for something different.

• HardSim
HardSims are just that - hard. They move around fairly quickly and have higher accuracy. They can easily pick you off from a distance, and they also tend to run backwards while somehow managing to fire at you. Use these guys only for a real challenge, using one is fun, but if there's a group of them, look out.

• PerfectSim
PerfectSims are the ultimate opponents, they move around at a high speed and can accurately hit you even while running backwards away from you. Use these guys only if you're an expert at controlling your character, it also helps to know your way around each arena and where all the weapon placement areas are. These sims can really help you refine your combat skills, if you use them for a while, (be prepared to get beaten often) you should find fighting against the lower sims will be much easier.

• DarkSim
DarkSims are practically unbeatable - only use them if you expect to get beaten, big time. These guys are not human but robots, allowing them to race around a map at high speeds, they can also climb ladders a heck of a lot faster than any other sim. They have almost perfect accuracy, and can see you a mile away. This sim is only here for the most daring players, they do appear in three of the challenges, but apart from that, most players probably won't want to bother using them, as they are very frustrating. It is fun though to have one on your team, if you have one with you, don't bother fighting anyone else, just order the DarkSim to protect you and you'll probably never have to press fire.


Special Simulants:

• PeaceSim
PeaceSims protest the use of weapons and will only try to disarm you if you come too close. They will often run away from you, and will go around the arena grabbing as many weapons and ammo before you can get to them. The advantage is that if you blast them they will usually drop a whole heap of weapons for you. They won't put up much of a fight at all.

• ShieldSim
ShieldSims will always want to have full shield protection. If they lose even the smallest bit of energy from their shield, they will run off to find a new one, but if you chase them they'll run backwards and fire at you. If there are no shields in the arena, they'll start out with one, but they can't find a new one once it takes damage.

• RocketSim
This sim prefers to use any type of explosive weapon, it's obsessed with blowing things up - even if it means blowing itself away in the process. It will also use other weapons, but its priority is explosives. Try to use explosive weapons on it as if you can fire at a sim just as it releases a grenade or rocket, the weapon will explode in their face. The RocketSim will also tend to walk straight through explosions, I guess it thinks it can somehow survive them, but it usually doesn't.

• KazeSim
A KazeSim will ruthlessly hunt down a chosen target and will stop at nothing until the target is defeated. It will aggressively attack you and will tend to fire explosives even if it is near you. Be careful, this sim is not afraid to blow itself away.

• FistSim
FistSims will try to punch you and disarm you repeatedly. They won't use any other weapons, but if they get near you, they'll rip into you and circle around you to deliver some nasty blows. Your vision will get really blurry if you let one get close, try to blast it while running backwards to dodge it's fists.

• PreySim
PreySims will only attack players who have low health, have just re-spawned or are using an inferior weapon. They will hunt weaker players and ignore stronger players such as ones who have shields. This weakness opens the sim for attack from the stronger players.

• CowardSim
CowardSims will tend to just run away from you. They'll fire at you while running backwards if you chase them, so be careful. Try to stay alert though, as they will often try to attack you from behind or if you have an inferior weapon.

• JudgeSim
The JudgeSim will do the opposite to what the PreySim does, it will attck the winning player. This sim will stop at nothing to take the lead for itself, but if it is in the lead, it'll attack anyone to stay that way. Be careful if you're on top.

• FeudSim
The FeudSim will pick a target at the start of the game and will ruthlessly attack them for the rest of the game, even if they're taken down a few times. They will also fire on other players, they will just mainly concentrate on one. If you're the target, get ready to run, otherwise try to concentrate on other players or sims.

• SpeedSim
SpeedSims will move around much faster than human players and can easily outrun you if you don't know your way around. They will often rely on shields to protect them, their speed is only a way to get away from you quickly. If you stop moving while chasing one, it'll tend to stop as well, giving you an easy shot while they're motionless.

• TurtleSim
TurtleSims have a prototype shield generator which is twice the power of a normal shield, making these guys difficult to take down. Their disadvantage is that the shield slows their speed, making them easier to hit. They can often survive a direct hit from an explosive weapon, so constant fire is usually the best way to beat them. Be careful though, as they aren't stupid and will fire back at you with relative accuracy.

• VengeSim
A VengeSim will always attack the last player who took him down. It will only attack one player at a time, but if another player beats it before it can take down the other player, it will go after the new player, so be careful.​

http://www.xbox360achievements.org/game/perfect-dark/achievements/

How's That For Starters? 10

Complete dataDyne Central - Defection.

Both Barrels 5

Kill an enemy when dual-wielding

Act Your Age, Joanna 5

Destroy Carrington's wine collection.

Double 64 10

Kill 128 enemies using secondary fire mode.

Camera Shy 10

Destroy 5 security cameras.

Deadly Laptop 10

Kill 50 enemies using the laptop in sentry gun mode.

Paci-Fist 10

Complete any Solo Mission on Special Agent or harder using only your fists.

Tools Of The Trade 10

Get a Bronze rating or better with all 32 weapons in the Firing Range.

Versatile 10

Complete a Combat Simulator game using each of the six Scenarios.

Golden Days 10

Complete a Combat Simulator game on Felicity, Complex or Temple using Classic Weapons.

Prime Target 10

Complete every Challenge up to and including 29, the 10th Prime number.

A Friend Indeed 10

Complete any mission in Co-operative Mode.

...Who Needs Enemies? 10

Complete any mission in Counter-Operative Mode.

dataDyne Specialist 10

Kill at least one enemy with each of the dataDyne weapons.

Carrington Institute Specialist 10

Kill at least one enemy with each of the Carrington Institute weapons.

Maian Specialist 10

Kill at least one enemy with each of the Maian weapons.

Agent 10

Complete the Solo Missions on Agent

Special Agent 15

Complete the Solo Missions on Special Agent.

Perfect Agent 20

Complete the Solo Missions on Perfect Agent.

Crowning Glory 5

Earn all the Leaderboard Crowns.

• MS Xbox World: 10/10

• IGN: 9/10

• GameZone: 8.5/10

• GameInformer: 8.5/10

• Planet X360: 8.5/10

• Thanks to Keyser Soze and whitehawk for their work on the awesome header

• Thanks to Rare, 4J, and Microsoft Game Studios for making this happen.

• Long live Perfect Dark!

 

[Deadly Monk]

Can't wait!! And so cheap!

 

[Dizzy-4U]

Y E S !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ToyMachine228]

800 points for this is really a steal. It will be interesting to see how the community does.

 

[Synless]

I've been waiting for this for so long now. It's almost here!!!!!!

 

[Dizzy-4U]

Already subscribed to the thread. This is my new home!

 

[johnnya]

MUST BUY!

 

[VeryGooster]

Now that I think about it, I don't think I ever finished the single-player mode...

Yep, buying this.

 

[JaseC]

So glad it's only 800 points. My account has 300 points that have been sitting there since Shadow Complex, so I can get this game for a tiny $8.25.

Hour 1, without hesitation.

 

[BuggyDClown]

Can not wait, for 10$ it's a crazy deal.

The multiplayer, Co-op and combat simulator make this a huge game, with tons of content.

 

[Peff]

This is going to be so good. Any word on the Avatar Awards? An Elvis plushie would be awesome :lol

 

[Revelations]

OMG I remember playing those vs multiplayer maps in my moms basement. When I was like 9 ro 10! *tear*

 

[Dizzy-4U]

Goddamit Rare! We need more wallpapers! I want to make an avatar out of one =/

 

[AlphaTwo00]

Oh god I thought this was today. Official thread in two weeks, not today man... :lol

 

[Vanillalite]

Love the two control schemes...

Spartan and Duty Calls (I can only think of that crazy rap Shawn Elliott did :lol )

 

[Mejilan]

Game's gonna be so awesome.
Again.

 

[JustAnotherOtaku]

All over this. FF XIII out next week, then this, then GoW 3. Brilliant!

 

[Cruzader]

Yes! Woooohoo!

Rhiana looks hot like always

 

[buy teh haloz]

This is gonna be awesome.

 

[Dipswitch]

Can you still buy Live Arcade games directly from Amazon? I have 600 points on my account and I really don't feel like buying another 400 from Microsoft. I'm tired of being taunted by that surplus 200 points I'm always carrying around like spare luggage. Tired I say!

 

[Rebel Leader]

*insert Sweetwater's 'hell fucking yes' here*

 

[[Nintex]]

I need this game!

 

[Reknoc]

yessssss. Can't wait for this. Good memories of 4 player with friends and hating on the accuracy medal. Also racing those remote control rockets around the Area 51 map.

 

[Sydle]

Day one. I'm afraid of how much time I'm going to spend with this one...again...

 

[Dizzy-4U]

Remember people: Licence to Kill is how real men play! Now, bring it!!!

Oh man, so freaking hyped!!!

 

[Nab]

Must add points to my account.

Hope this sees a decent online community!

 

[Vanillalite]

Can you still buy Live Arcade games directly from Amazon? I have 600 points on my account and I really don't feel like buying another 400 from Microsoft. I'm tired of being taunted by that surplus 200 points I'm always carrying around like spare luggage. Tired I say!

You and I are of the same mindset. I have 280 points just hanging out, and I'm tired of ending up with just random points left over.

 

[Neuromancer]

Never played it the 1st time around but I am very excited about this one. The bot personality/modes sound awesome, wish modern day FPS devs would spend half the time as Rare did on this aspect of the game.

 

[Metroid Killer]

Congratulations to all of you who never played it on N64, this is a golden opportunity to play one of rare's best. So jealous that I don't have a 360 right now!

 

[gkryhewy]

Too soon. You got my hopes up that it was releasing today

 

[Scythesurge]

Suchhhhhhh a bargain at that price.

 

[H_Prestige]

Can't wait.

Has it been confirmed we can take bots online? So 8 players and 4 bots total.

And I hope we can browse server lists and create are own custom games. Matchmaking alone would be a tragedy for this game.

 

[EagleEyes]

Yes, can't wait for my Perfect Dark. Day 1 all the way.

 

[verbum]

Can you still buy Live Arcade games directly from Amazon? I have 600 points on my account and I really don't feel like buying another 400 from Microsoft. I'm tired of being taunted by that surplus 200 points I'm always carrying around like spare luggage. Tired I say!

Amazon does not list Toy Soldiers (released today), yet so they may not have day one games, might have to wait.
Yes, you can buy Live games for real money, $5-$10-$15.

 

[Neuromancer]

Can't wait.

Has it been confirmed we can take bots online? So 8 players and 4 bots total.

And I hope we can browse server lists and create are own custom games. Matchmaking alone would be a tragedy for this game.

From what I understand every multiplayer mode is online so I believe your answer is yes.

 

[Jay Sosa]

Only 800 points?

Day one.

 

[Malio]

Nice OP! Never played this, will be cool to check it out and see what all the hype and praise is about!

 

[Joe Shlabotnik]

Remember people: Licence to Kill is how real men play! Now, bring it!!!

*fist bump*

 

[Gowans]

Totally missed this when it was released.

Dabbled in Goldeneye.


Looking forward to checking it out.

 

[lowrider007]

Can't wait for this, will be the second title that I purchase on XBLA since owning the console (Doom being the first) day one.

 

[verbum]

Can't wait.

Has it been confirmed we can take bots online? So 8 players and 4 bots total.

And I hope we can browse server lists and create are own custom games. Matchmaking alone would be a tragedy for this game.

"NF: Yes, with some exciting additions. In Perfect Dark on XBLA you can use GoldenEye weapons in multiplayer for the first time (on Nintendo 64 the classic weapons were restricted to solo play)....
There is a "Classic" setting in the Matchmaking playlists which enables players to play on rotations using only classic levels with the classic weapon sets (Pistols, Automatics, Power Weapons, Remote Mines, etc)."

http://www.gamepro.com/article/news/214203/mini-interview-perfect-dark-xbla-producer/

 

[GreekWolf]

I'll buy it at a high price

Spoiler

but 800 points is fine

 

[Bumblebeetuna]

Maybe I missed it, but can you play Counter Co-Op online?

 

[Peff]

Maybe I missed it, but can you play Counter Co-Op online?

Co-op and Counter-Op both.

 

[Neuromancer]

Maybe I missed it, but can you play Counter Co-Op online?

I believe so yes

I don't think there are any multiplayer modes that won't work online

 

[joesmokey]

Used to have so many all-nighters with this game back in the day. I can't wait to play through this again.

 

[Tobor]

I really enjoyed Perfect Dark, but it was way too ambitious for the hardware. I can't wait to give it another go now that that's not an issue.

You know what would have been really amazing? Add back in the gameboy camera face mapping using the 360 camera.

 

[Stephan1237]

Can't wait. And thanks for the opening post

 

[chubigans]

http://www.gamepro.com/article/news/214203/mini-interview-perfect-dark-xbla-producer/

Ugh, those sons of bitches.

...ah well I don't even have XBL Gold, why am I complaining.

Bring on the greatness of PD! Woo!

 

[geinou]

Only 800 points? Hell yeah!