Originally posted by: ShawnD1
Originally posted by: SonicIceThe levels were all unique and had a non-linear feel. You could complete a level through multiple routes.
The game has a boat-load of cool weapons.
Many items in the environment were destructable.
It was one of the first games with bullet hole decals.
The multiplayer was a new plateau of awesomeness -- 4 player split-screen deathmatch.
The stealth elements and variable objectives were much more interesting than Doom and Quake.
It also had good music and sound effects.
Instant loading.
This. Goldeneye was out around the time of Quake, so Quake was the standard. Goldeneye did several things better than Quake such as breakable objects and having the mission change depending on map difficulty. Another cool thing was that the game itself, not just the maps, was very nonlinear. You would play a level and it would take you back to the level select screen. Up until then, games like Quake would have you beat a level then move on to the next level; you couldn't go back a level without entering a cheat code. Your save game was not just related to what map you're on and what your guns are, it was about which levels you've beaten at what difficulty and how long it took. It was almost like a single player version of Xbox Live.
Sure, it had its high points, and a few firsts, but being the first game with 4-player splitscreen, instant loading, bullet hole decals or destructable items doesnt make it a game that stands the test of time. The controls are pretty awful by todays standards, and the terrible frame rate doesnt help its playability either. The AI is also pretty retarded.
Take doom on the other hand - it doesnt have bullet hole decals, it isnt even true 3d, and the AI is hardly more sophisticated than a side scrolling shooter, but the game still *plays* well. It controls much better, there's no frame rate issues, and the AI is as smart as it needs to be in the context of the game. Same with super mario bros, or any other classic game that *has* stood the test of time.
There's no disputing it was awesome back in it's day, but that day was about 15 years ago.