The Basics
The Head-to-Head is designed to let gamers know which version of a multiplatform game is worth your hard-earned money. We break down each segment of a game, and then tell you which platform reigns supreme when the dust settles.
Once again Bond has returned to world of gaming. This installment doesn't try to replace or outdo the classic Bond title that introduced a generation of console gamers to first person shooters on Nintendo 64, instead it tries to bring the series up to date by mirroring the last Call of Duty release. Using a cover system, hectic action events, and the plot from the upcoming movie, Treyarch has put together a very pretty package. We'll tell you which system makes this game shine.
Price Points
Quantum of Solace can be purchased on a range of hardware for a variety of prices. The game is $59.99 on 360 and PS3, $49.99 on Wii and PC, and $39.99 on PlayStation 2. Read on to find out if cost equals quality.
Content and Control
Quantum of Solace is standard fare in more ways than one. Treyarch, Beenox, and Eurocom have tried their best to make this title identical on each separate pieces of hardware and this includes the feature set. Bond's single player experience is relatively short, clocking in at only about 6 hours total for the experienced gamer. The PC, 360, PS3, and Wii versions are all very similar with only varying level of detail in environments that are basically the same. The PS2 single player mission keeps the same general feel but with very scaled back environments and different gameplay elements.
There's online multiplayer support for up to 12 players on 360, PS3, and PC. The Wii version has online multiplayer support for up to four players and has a local split-screen mode for four players which is lacking from the other versions. There are no online or offline multiplayer modes on PS2.
The PS2 game starts with the same cut scene albeit in a lower resolution, however from there it takes players through a much longer tutorial. Where the current-gen versions feature a lot of environmental action and destruction, the PS2 build includes more climbing, environmental maneuvering, and stealth kills.
The 360 version includes achievements along with the Games for Windows Live enabled PC copy. The PS3 game has trophies to match. The PS2 and Wii lack any type of reward system.
Control
The 360 and PS3 controls are standard for a shooter with a loose cover system. In all versions of Bond the reticule is large and enemies drop like flies. The 360 and PS3 controllers offer identical gameplay experiences while mouse controls on the PC make the game incredibly easy. You can always plug in a 360 controller if the PC's default control setup isn't to your liking.
The Wii uses IR aiming with the Wiimote like most first-person shooters on Nintendo's machine. Unfortunately there's an uncomfortable level of lag which makes this one of the worst implementations of the controller in the genre.
The PS2 controls resemble the current-gen versions with a simple dual analog setup and a trigger based cover system. There's nothing too complicated here and nothing to complain about either.
Presentation
Many readers find it unfair to compare a game running on a high-end PC with its counterparts on a console. However, the PC only has an advantage when the developer is able to take advantage of superior hardware. In the case of Quantum of Solace it looks like the same assets for the HD capable consoles have been blown up with only a bit more detail noticeable in the explosions and in some of the texture work.
The PS3 and 360 builds look exactly the same and certainly look miles better than the Wii version, which suffers from a very low frame rate and some extremely low resolution environments. The PS2 game looks exactly like you'd expect from a PS2 port. It's not nearly as pretty or detailed as the other versions, but it's not horrible for ported code on old hardware.
Loading times are negligible on the current generation consoles. You won't be waiting long for any version of the game and the most noticeable down time is about 10 seconds between levels on the PS2.
Sound
As usual some systems have superior audio capabilities. Dolby 5.1 is available on 360, PS3, and PC, where Pro Logic II is available on Wii and PS2.
The Verdict
The PC, 360, and PS3 all share the same feature set but the PC takes the cake with slightly better graphics and more control options. That being said, you'll most likely have the exact same experience on the console unless you're looking for tiny discrepancies.
Bringing up the rear are the Wii and then the PS2. The Wii version is not exactly a stellar game but it does have some redeeming qualities like the local multiplayer. The PS2 lacks even that and is a lackluster package at best.
Overall
1. PC
2. 360, PS3
3. Wii
4. PS2
