Mobile Game Review of "James Bond 007: Top Agent"

Best thing I can say about Top Agent is... it's different.

This game is sort of a RPG/adventure, where you play James Bond and participate in two adventures, both a part of an existing movie. It's all combat though, nothing beyond combat. However, the combat system is fairly novel... There are 5 "rounds" in each battle. You and your opponent will pick one "action" for each of the 5 rounds. The action can be melee, double-strike (2x damage, -15% accuracy), place trap, throw grenade, shoot, rapid-fire (2xdamage, -15% accuracy), aimed shot, use first aid pack (if available), take cover (if available), defend (against melee), go prone, etc. All 5 actions must be picked at once, then the combat is resolved as each side's action is revealed, and that round's combat resolved. At the end of 5 rounds, the one with more life left is the winner (unless one side went down first during the battle).

While you may think this is way too simple, there are a lot of weapons, gadgets, and so on available that quickly changes the dynamics of the game. You can also grow your skills in shooting, melee, dexterity, and gadgetry, which helps with various activities. Shooting and melee are obvious. Dexterity helps you dodge attacks, and even if hit, reduces damage. Gadgetry rating helps you place gadgets/traps more successfully.

The game itself is 2D only, but the backdrop changes to fit the backstory, from jungle to deck of the undersea fortress to factory and more. Some rooms have cover such as oil cans and crates, others don't. That would affect your tactics considerably. Do you go all out attack? If so, melee or ranged? How much defense and when? Which weapon should I use? You must decide all that before the battle starts.

The weapon list is impressive, all the way from that electric glove used by Gustav in Die Another Day (great melee weapon) to the wrist dart shooter in Moonraker. There's even some special fedoras (tribute to Oddjob). And yes, Jaws makes a guest appearance. There's supposedly over 70 items to "collect". And the more items you have, the more bonuses you can enjoy, and the better "combo" you can assemble, which will affect your tactics.

If you got tired of the story mode, you can challenge other agents, either randomly or through a specific ID (given in the game) to battles.

The main *problem* with this game is... it's just too RANDOM. I feel like play a crapshoot instead of playing a game with a purpose, with known rules and tactics and strategies. Most of the game is on LUCK, esp. when you're matched up against agents of roughly the same level(s). Though I *have* seen even level 20 agents got taken down by level 12 agents.

All in all, Top Agent is not bad for a mobile game, as it does keep you coming back for more, but its randomness is a turn-off, as there's no mastery of this game (i.e. you can't master luck).

Presentation: 6.5 (looks Bond-ish)
Graphics: 5.5 (below average 2D)
Sound: 2.5 (forgetable)
Overall: 6.0