Being created in collaboration with The Initiative and Crystal Dynamics, the new Perfect Dark is aiming to revive a classic shooter over two decades following its inception. The Rare-developed FPS delivered futuristic action that ran parallel to GoldenEye 007's first-person gameplay, and this influence will hopefully be felt in the Xbox-exclusive reboot as well. Sharing a spy-thriller premise with its spiritual predecessor, the original Nintendo 64 game introduced an agent whose exploits would probably surpass James Bond's record at MI6. Joanna Dark, the series' protagonist, became one of gaming's iconic female protagonists through her bravery in uncovering everything from corporate conspiracies to alien worlds.

Xbox is likely to ensure quality in its upcoming projects, and the rich universe of Perfect Dark warrants a comeback that respects the fiction in addition to the IP's place within the action-adventure genre. Having the pressure of rebooting a treasured video game series, Crystal Dynamics is now assisting as part of a joint effort with Xbox Game Studios. The combined craft of these developers should bring more expertise to Perfect Dark, especially if newer Tomb Raider games are working as a reference point for the espionage adventure.

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How Perfect Dark's Exploration and Gameplay Could Draw Inspiration From Tomb Raider's

Ranged combat

Crystal Dynamics' Tomb Raider trilogy reinterprets hero Lara Croft as a grittier version of the famous archeologist. The latest entry, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, was released in 2018 and was positively received for its refinements around this third act in Lara Croft's new origin story. In many ways, this trilogy solidifies the studio's experience in updating AAA franchises, and it is all the more refreshing seeing those creative liberties pan out when Tomb Raider could have easily been another victim of tired pop culture subversions. Critics further appreciated the fidelity of the games' seamless climbing mechanics, as a helpful combination of tools maintained the series' reputation for dangerous mountaineering.

For longtime fans, it might be reasonable to have some amount of skepticism toward Perfect Dark's development just as there was with 2013's Tomb Raider. Both are storied tales in gaming, but modernizations do not always have to betray the essence of the classics. In terms of gameplay, Joanna Dark and Lara Croft share a talent for stealth and agile combat maneuvers which could inspire the Perfect Dark reboot. Assuming that Agent Dark returns in top form, players may notice her grappling with environmental obstacles in a way that resembles the latest Tomb Raider sequels.

Perfect Dark's Spycraft Needs Fun Puzzles

Perfect Dark Cutscene

In search of more analytical challenges, Tomb Raider's ruins might be most comparable to the guarded facilities of Perfect Dark. Rather than solving ancient riddles, the upcoming reboot could involve sabotaging computer systems and sneaking into secure areas to break up the action. While puzzles do run the risk of disturbing the flow of the experience, they can also be a satisfying detour that reveals greater interactivity - presenting another interesting layer in the project's level design. Amidst repeated confirmation of Perfect Dark's link to the Tomb Raider developer, players should be prepared to find a mix of combat and crafty tasks filling out mission objectives.

Crystal Dynamics has the responsibility of contributing extra direction to the Perfect Dark reboot, and it is exciting to imagine what changes might be coming to the franchise in the near future. Even though the series is traditionally first-person, the tactical feel of Tomb Raider could help restore Perfect Dark's enemy takedowns, cinematic storytelling, and exotic adventures in modern gaming. Industry standards have changed since the days of the Nintendo 64, although most fans would be relieved if the new Perfect Dark hits the quality level of the highest-rated spy games upon its return.

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