Which is better - Perfect Dark or Goldeneye

[Nebuchanezzar]

Simple question really, but one I can't make my mind up about at all.

On one hand, Goldeneye was a somewhat original attempt at a game genre that really hadn't been attempted before. It was a FPS, granted, but it also implemented features such as stealth, AI and atmosphere styles that hadn't been attempted before in the FPS genre. It had a broad range of levels that could be played in a variety of ways. For instance, you could play the Frigate level as a careful hostage saver, or a rambo weirdo who stormed into rooms and had an exceptional aim. The levels were abundant, but also had many different styles that didn't get old terribly fast. The Facility level is one that never gets old, nor is Control or Jungle. There are a few dud type levels, like Bunker I and Airport, but they're fun all the same. The multiplayer was there too.

On the other hand, is Perfect Dark. It had more variety in its levels, but I find myself only able to bother with a select few of them upon replay. It's very hard to find myself wanting to play through certain levels again (the alien levels in particular), as they're far too long and simply not enjoyable. The weapons were improved, as was the sound and graphics, but it simply lost it's simple charm that Goldeneye had IMO. The multiplayer was vastly improved though.

I suppose I'd prefer Goldeneye for single player, and PD for multiplayer, but I can't decide which one is actually better overall. What's your opinion?

[bovine_university]

I love both of these games so it's tough to pick one over the other. Goldeneye was probably the more important title and the bigger landmark on the genre, on the other hand Perfect Dark took the formula that Goldeneye had created so well and ironed out the rough edges. In the end, I suppose I would pick Goldeneye, but each game outdoes the other in certain ways. Like Nebuchanezzar I agree that Goldeneye wins in the single-player department while multiplayer goes to Perfect Dark.

Maybe it's nostalgia talking, but I just remember every single mission in Goldeneye to be an absolute blast, while Perfect Dark had a dud level here and there; some of the levels in the second half like the cave were just very forgettable. As far as difficulty goes I also have to hand it to Goldeneye for having a much better learning curve, whereas the jump between the medium and hard difficulty levels in Perfect Dark seemed a bit steep at times. They both had their share of level-design annoyances, whether it was Goldeneye's "protect Natalya or die" missions or Perfect Dark's stealth tasks, but overall I liked Goldeneye's single-player missions better.

Multiplayer in Goldeneye was wonderful beyond words, but it had a few problems, like it's generous access to body armor, dead-end zones that made for cheap booby-traps, or weapon selection that could be all or nothing. Perfect Dark seemed to take note of these shortcomings and managed to more or less fix them, as well as add the concept of CPU opponents, record systems, and scenario sequences. They weren't all home runs however, since some of the CPU selections are downright annoying, and some maps were so complex or confusing it was a pain to see them show up. For it's more simple rules and tried-and-true gameplay, Goldeneye is still a blast, but I just have to hand it to the steps Perfect Dark took forward.

There is a couple of aspects that in the end do put Goldeneye first for me, one of which is the weapon system. To be honest, some of the weapons in Perfect Dark are ridiculously overpowered or efficient, while others are bizarre or complicated. I did like the idea of secondary uses for the weapons, but in the end, the guns, mines, and rockets of Goldeneye come out on top.

So it's not an easy choice at all, but Goldeneye takes the cake for me.

[jim]

Goldeneye. By far. Apart from the kickass gameplay and visuals, its Bond. And its Goldeneye. That alone is enough to make it better then PD.

[Drew]

Goldeneye wins, 4 Player Facility was the best.

[Ryan]

Goldeneye rocked. I used to sit up all nights on weekends playing multiplayer with my brother/friends. Don't get me wrong, PD was brilliant too, but goldeneye was just the shit.

[blueguy]

Goldeneye. PD just didn't compare, except visually.

4 players in the facility with proxy mines and license to kill, FTW.

[Adamm R)))]

4 players in the facility with proxy mines and license to kill, FTW.
Fuck yes, that was my favourite set up. Get to the top and put the mines all across the walls leading up to it as everyone frantically tries to get up there and seize the higher ground. Never played PD, but IMO no FPS beats Goldeneye, except Time Splitters 2, which is pretty much just I cleaned up version of it, since most of the same people made it.

[blueguy]

You could also control the other end of the map with the big tanks. Not quite as fun though. At least in the bathroom you can sneak down and plant the mines in other commonly used hallways and try to catch someone off-guard, then lock yourself back into the bathroom.

[The General]

Yeah, yeah, Goldeneye revolutionized the FPS, that's a given. But there's no way you can deny that Perfect Dark had better graphics, better sound, a better plot, more guns, better multiplayer, not to mention voice acting.

Perfect Dark is better, though Goldeneye is still an awesome game...

[Magnum]

real world atmosphere wins over sci-fi generica

[OrdealByFire]

...neither. Goldeneye sucked because there was no AI.

Thought Facility was fun to screw around with a friend. It's way way way overrated though IMO. It had a good Single Player though.

[DAntae]

good question. goldeneye but not by much. the multiplayer pushes it into victory. perfect dark had so much going for it as well.

[Lounge Fly]

I think their both overated. Ill take Zelda or Banjo Kazooie anyday.

[DAntae]

taking banjo kazooie over either raises more questions. most notable why?

[Drew]

And you can't compare Banjo and Zelda to Goldeneye or PD either, totally different genre.

[SubSane]

Goldeneye.

Much like GTA III, it was the first and groundbreaking title, so I played it the most. When the second one came around I already knew the gameplay well and although it was still a great game, it did not hold my attention as long.

[Nebuchanezzar]

taking banjo kazooie over either raises more questions. most notable why?

I very much prefer Banjo-Kazooie over both Goldeneyer and Perfect Dark. It's just so much more rich, vibrant and fun. It doesn't have a multiplayer mode, but it's single player mode is timeless in comparison to Goldeneyes, even with it's 3 different difficulty settings.

Anyway, there was a thread on Banjo-Kazooie a while ago. Someone should revive it so I can talk about BK some more. I love that game. Can't say the same for Zelda though. I played it twice and simply couldn't get into it.

[Gunstar]

Yeah, yeah, Goldeneye revolutionized the FPS, that's a given. But there's no way you can deny that Perfect Dark had better graphics, better sound, a better plot, more guns, better multiplayer, not to mention voice acting.

Perfect Dark is better, though Goldeneye is still an awesome game...

Hey, this guy gets it.

Can't say the same for Zelda though. I played it twice and simply couldn't get into it.

You, kind sir, have no soul.

[DAntae]

sorry guys but banjo kazooie is a piece of shit. sequel was even worse. for the life of me I cant figure out why its gets so much love.

multiplayer...goldeneye wins out over perfect dark. to say otherwise is naive. yeah I said naive.

[Gunstar]

Two words: Laptop gun.

PD multi wins for that alone.:cookie:

[Nebuchanezzar]

sorry guys but banjo kazooie is a piece of shit. sequel was even worse. for the life of me I cant figure out why its gets so much love.

Die. Seriously, there was a Banjo-Kazooie thread not long ago. You might want to take a look in there to gain some insight into why people like it.