Electronic Theatre delivers their latest Retro Review, a look at the original RARE Nintendo 64 title behind 4J Studios' forthcoming Xbox LIVE Arcade release, Perfect Dark, originally launched back in 2000.

The twisting plot offers some fantastic opportunities for RARE to demonstrate their artistic talents, but also to create some of the most inspiring levels seen on the console hardware of the time. The level design, even to this day, is simply astounding. Offering player numerous routes through many of the levels, the design presents an openness that is rarely matched in modern FPS games. There are areas which may not be uncovered even after several playthroughs, though these spaces possess just as much character as those on the beaten track. Hidden alleyways present unique gameplay opportunities with entirely different routes to success, corridors leading to upper floors provide sniping opportunities when your first instinct is to walk out into the courtyard, and gangways tease the opportunity to pin-down the enemy’s entry point from a safe distance.

kevcothirtythree via electronictheatre.co.uk »