Everything or Nothing (video game)

Everything or Nothing (video game) is a 2004 third-person shooter and action-adventure game developed by EA Redwood Shores and published by Electronic Arts under the James Bond in film license. Featuring an original narrative and the return of actor Pierce Brosnan as James Bond, the title was a critical and commercial success praised for its cinematic presentation. It was released for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube, and Microsoft Windows platforms, marking a significant entry in the List of James Bond video games.

Gameplay

The core gameplay of *Everything or Nothing* emphasizes third-person combat, vehicular sequences, and cooperative espionage. Players control James Bond through diverse missions utilizing an arsenal of Q Branch gadgets, including a grappling hook and nanobots. Driving segments feature licensed vehicles like the Nissan 350Z and Porsche Cayenne across locations such as New Orleans and Egypt. The game incorporates a unique "Bond Sense" system for tactical planning and includes a two-player cooperative mode where a second agent, played by Heidi Klum's character, assists in specific missions. Multiplayer modes offer competitive play on maps inspired by levels from the *GoldenEye 007* game.

Plot

The narrative follows James Bond as he investigates Nikolai Diavolo, a ruthless industrialist and former KGB agent played by Willem Dafoe. Diavolo seeks to deploy a swarm of nanobots to control the world's supply of platinum, threatening global stability. Bond is aided by American NSA agent Serena St. Germaine, voiced by Shannon Elizabeth, and Miss Moneypenny, portrayed by Samantha Bond. The story spans globe-trotting locations from the French Quarter of New Orleans to ancient temples in Peru, culminating in a confrontation at Diavolo's headquarters. The plot features original voice work from John Cleese as Q and Judi Dench as M, creating a cinematic experience akin to the Pierce Brosnan film era.

Development

Development was led by EA Redwood Shores, with the team aiming to create an original James Bond story that felt like a blockbuster film. Director Scott Probst and producer Patrick Gilmore collaborated with veteran James Bond screenwriter Bruce Feirstein on the script. Securing the participation of Pierce Brosnan, Willem Dafoe, Judi Dench, and John Cleese was a major coup, with recording sessions conducted at Eon Productions' facilities. The game was built on the RenderWare engine, allowing for detailed graphics and physics. The soundtrack was composed by Sean Callery, known for his work on *24*, and includes the original song "Everything or Nothing" performed by Mýa.

Reception

Upon release, *Everything or Nothing* received widespread critical acclaim. Reviewers from IGN, GameSpot, and Game Informer praised its polished presentation, engaging story, and varied gameplay, often comparing it favorably to contemporary James Bond films like Die Another Day. The voice acting, particularly from Pierce Brosnan and Willem Dafoe, was highlighted as a standout feature. The game earned high scores, including an 8.5 from IGN and was nominated for awards at the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. It was a commercial success, becoming one of the best-selling titles based on James Bond during that console generation.

Legacy

*Everything or Nothing* is remembered as a high-water mark for James Bond video games, demonstrating the potential of original narratives within licensed properties. Its success influenced subsequent titles like *From Russia with Love*, which also featured a returning film actor in Sean Connery. The game's cooperative mechanics and cinematic ambition have been cited as inspirations in later third-person shooter genres. While the James Bond license later moved to Activision and titles like *Quantum of Solace*, *Everything or Nothing* remains a cult classic, often featured in retrospectives by publications like Eurogamer and Polygon on the legacy of 007 in interactive media.

Category:2004 video games Category:James Bond video games Category:EA games