Before I even begin with this review I would like to make a small request from you dear reader, and that is that you try to leave those generic hostilities towards movie tie-in games at the door, and while you are at it try to stop thinking that Golden Eye on the N64 is still the best Bond game in existence, as to be quite honest it is totally unplayable now.

All done? Sitting comfortably? Grabbed a Vodka Martini? (Shaken or stirred, your choice really, just remember to drink responsibly kids). You know the name; you know the number so let’s get down to it with the latest Bond game, Quantum of Solace.

In the long and illustrious history of Bond games there have been notable highs and lows, but with the latest film providing a lacklustre experience for many moviegoers it could be argued that the game would follow suit.

How could a very tense, dramatic movie that lacks major set pieces make for a good game? Well, basically they have included Casino Royale in the game giving some much needed bang for your buck/pound/euro delete as appropriate. At last you will be able to chase down the parlour loving bomb maker through a series of ’thrilling’ quick time events. Of course the game doesn’t make too much of a big deal about the previous movie’s inclusion within the game, instead offering the scenes in a flashback format which helps with context. It’s a wise move, but not all together without its issues, mostly as it highlights the failings of the new film as a source for a great game. It’s a very good game, but I cannot help but wonder if it would have been better if the movie had been more traditional Bond.

Running from a polished CoD 4 engine and looking as good as a yacht loaded with Kinder Eggs and liberal women the game gets it right with a blend of FPS action and third person during the aforementioned quick time events when in cover.

This is a good way to bridge the divide in opinion over whether it is better to ’be’ Bond or ’see’ Bond. It works very well, and glimpses of Daniel Craig as the eponymous hero do help make the game feel more like a proper movie tie-in, perhaps not evidenced since From Russia with Love licensed Sean Connery and company.

Combat is fast paced, and while the game does offer a choice of stealth or action, you will be forgiven if I confess that stealth is not something I even considered. I wanted to be the arse kicking Bond of my dreams, not some old dude in a cardboard box...