Every year, a new Bond game hits the market, and every year fans will compare it to Goldeneye on the Nintendo 64. With each new installment come new innovations, ideas, and visual effects that do a fantastic job replicating a Bond film, while never mimicking the best of the series. Fans always wonder why they just can't make a new Bond game that is exactly like Goldeneye, but with today's technology? The answer... different developers of course. Ever since Tomorrow Never Dies, EA has had hold of the Bond license, and to their defense, have done a remarkable job with it. Well, the team is back with From Russia With Love, which not only reprises an old story line, but also brings back arguably the best Bond in the business, Sean Connery.

From Russia With Love is the first Bond game to put gamers in the universe of the classic 60's era James Bond films. Everything from the outdated material in the story line, to the tech gadgets screams old school Bond. While reliving nostalgia is a novelty these days, this is taking things a bit too nostalgic, don't ya think?

Visually FRWL is a beautiful title brimming with lush environments, excellent character models, and brilliant explosions and effects. From the moment you boot up the game, you'll have no problems identifying a young Sean Connery in the prime of his life. This goes for the supporting cast as well, as the majority of the film's major players have been scanned to capture their look from when the film was originally made. Driving sequences are brisk and have a great sense of speed. The game's presentation is very cool, allowing for the retelling of the film, but when you perform Bond moves you are treated to special identifying notifications that will give gamers the felling of accomplishment. All is not a bowl of cherries though, as the frame rate of the game really chugs, and chugs constantly. This really puts a damper on things visually. If you can forgive the frame rate hiccups, you will notice this is one of the best-looking bond games around.

Audio is also fantastic, with reprising voice acting from the film as well as new lines from Bond himself, Sean Connery. The score is your proto typical familiar secret agent theme that will set the mood for sneaking and plotting your next move against the enemy. The entire package is presented in Dolby Surround Sound, which helps to engulf you into the game.

Gameplay is a bit sketchy on some parts, while spot on in others. First off, the sketchy comes in the form of the driving sequences. You would figure that the in-house team of the Need for Speed series could get this right, but with overly sensitive controls, you will be sideswiping everything in sight instead of hugging corners. The results are very frustrating and you'll find yourself relieved when you make your way past these particular levels. Thankfully, the majority of the game is on foot, and the game really shines here. The A.I. is fair, but only if you have it on a medium difficulty or higher, otherwise, the enemies are really dumb and will have you searching from them more times than not. Bond controls very well, with easy access to gadgets and special maneuvers. What is odd is that there is no sign of a jump button for James. Sure, there are pre-canned spots where Bond can leap over a bush, or over a ledge, but if you want to get around a low fenced in area, you have to go around the walkway, as you can't jump over it manually. I guess secret agents are accepting the keep off the grass signs.

From Russia With Love is a short adventure, per the usual Bond games. While multiplayer is available for up to four players, via split screen, there is not any online play. This really hurts the longevity of the title, as the split screen option isn't very deep or even very fun... it is just there.

In the end, I can only really recommend From Russia With Love to the die-hard Bond fans. Like the films lately, the series is getting a bit stale no matter who dons the Bond moniker.