From Russia with Love PS2

Finally the James Bond games have done what the films should’ve done years ago: they’ve gone back to the ‘60s. From Russia with Love doesn’t seem to have all that much to do with the film of the same name (it seems an odd choice anyway since it was the least gadget heavy of all the movies and even vaguely realistic in parts) but it is highly evocative of Connery era Bond in general.

Even ignoring the ‘60s angle, the fact that the game is obviously trying to distance itself from the risible GoldenEye: Rogue Agent is another obvious boon. It’s a third person adventure much more in keeping with Everything or Nothing, with a similar mix of on foot and vehicle combat, with particular emphasis seeming to be given to the jetpack from Thunderball.

Although Bond looks and sounds (thanks to newly recorded dialogue by the man himself) like Sean Connery the game also has a role-playing element where you can customise your character according to your preferred style of play. There’s also an online and split screen multiplayer mode for you to compare these settings with friends.

Alas there doesn’t yet seem to be any sign of a mini-game allowing you to ferret out bad guys according to their incorrect choice of wine at the dinner table, but in all other respects this is shaping up to be the ultimate retro Bond game. --Harrison Dent

This preview is based on an incomplete version of the game; features or problems mentioned above may not appear in the finished game.

James Bond 007: From Russia With Love will be the first game to put players in the universe of the classic James Bond film. Set in the original 60's Bond era, the game features movie-based missions as well as original, action-intensive sequences, a broad and deep variety of gameplay, fully-integrated vehicles, social multiplayer experiences, gorgeous women, and classic, upgradeable weapons and gadgetry with modern mechanics.

Players will create and manipulate Bond in a living world based on the timeless fiction of the classic James Bond movie. Invest in your character and customize the ultimate Bond for a whole new level of gameplay options.

Sean Connery, the original Bond, reprises his role as the dapper Mi6 agent in this innovative, retro-styled and highly anticipated console title from the infamous Bond franchise.