Review of Cypher 007: a stylish take on James Bond for mobile
Our Verdict
While James might be a little stiff on his Apple Arcade debut, the experience and design of this game provide some authentic 007 hijinks in a world that true fans of the series are sure to appreciate. Considering it’s free to play for Apple Arcade users, it’s worth trying out if you’re a fan of stealthy titles like Metal Gear Solid or Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell.
Video game and James Bond history is replete with failures and successes. A lot of us recall Goldeneye as one of the greatest Nintendo 64 titles ever released, yet few people really like 2012's 007 Legends. When developer Tilting Point offered me the opportunity to evaluate the new Bond game Cypher 007, which is available only on Apple Arcade, I was eager to see where the game stood on the double-oh scale.
This is one of those difficult evaluations where I can't discuss the plot too much without giving away the surprises that begin as soon as the game lasts five minutes. However, I would admit that this isn't your typical Bond fare; in fact, it's a huge divergence from what I was expecting, and the game is obviously the better for it. It seems like a new Bond adventure, eschewing some of the cliches that big-budget 007 films have forced into espionage adventures starring our old friend James.
Cypher 007's gameplay mostly comprises of what you would anticipate. As you quickly complete quick objectives that gradually reveal the main plot, you slip into enemy territory, use stealth attacks on naive henchmen, and overall attempt to avoid being seen. Although the game rewards you for using a cunning strategy with weapon upgrades and a better end-of-level score, you may still run and shoot if you're feeling really bold.
Bond is, to be honest, a bit difficult to manage. Although you can roll forward and crouch, which somewhat improves 007's mobility, using touch controls to walk normally seems a bit awkward, and even in the mostly enclosed spaces, I yearned for a run button. It's rare, but when you do feel like sprinting, you really do, and sometimes it seems like Bond isn't quite as worried about hostile agents breathing down his neck as he should be.
But when it comes to gameplay, I really have trouble handling James' weaponry. It doesn't seem natural to me. It took me about five minutes to figure out how to operate a rocket launcher as intended once I started lifting it up and dumping it. It didn't seem quite right even when I had mastered pointing and firing, although with a less potent stun gun-style device. To avoid utilizing a weapon, I would almost always choose to execute a sneak takedown or simply let James use his fists to communicate. Although it's not perfect, it doesn't significantly lessen the whole experience.
The setting design of this Bond adventure is among its more striking features. From the smoke that floods the area at the conclusion of the instructional level to the flickering fire in James' bedroom, there is a great deal of complexity and detail. When you're not gazing at the mini-map in the upper corner, Cypher 007 skillfully employs light to guide you in the right route. Along with some well-known real-world locales, including the London Tube, the game offers plenty of excitement as you sneak up on adversaries and put them to sleep like a giant glass of warm milk.
Keeping with the overall style of the game, the user interface is stylish and fits in with the game's overall look. From the typeface of the in-game menus to the grayscale silhouettes of certain weapons and activities, the whole experience has the air of an espionage adventure. You couldn't ask for a more genuine Bond experience in terms of aesthetics. This visual style is guaranteed to satisfy Bond fans seeking a fresh 007 experience as they wait for the next feature film chapter. James even appears as dapper as you would expect him to.
Considering that this game is practically free to play when it launches on Apple Arcade, it also has a surprising depth. Though I'm not a huge fan of the series myself, I can still appreciate that this feels like a 007 game made by 007 fans, thanks to the hidden costumes and weapons that reference some of Bond's most well-known film appearances, as well as in-level Easter eggs and dialogue that demonstrate the developer's genuine understanding of the franchise.
That being said, if you don't fully like the series, you may sometimes feel like you're missing out on something since Cypher 007 is so steeped in Bond legend. Though I understand that's a line to tread when there is an army of 007 fans out there who need no reminder who Trevelyan is, it might need a bit more handholding for those of us who haven't followed the franchise obsessively.
All things considered, Cypher 007 is a true-to-Bond game that will probably be enjoyed by followers of the franchise and stealth genre in general. Although I do have a few problems managing the main character, I think that's more because I tend to prefer direct conflict to creeping around the dark passageways and subterranean spaces in these kinds of games.
To go back to my first point, Cypher 007 effortlessly ascends to the upper echelons of the Bond video game canon. It offers an experience that seems more novel than going back to Goldeneye for the fourteenth time by taking the greatest elements from some of the better games in the franchise and adding a dash of mobile gaming innovation.
Check out our reviews of the newest titles, Dragonheir: Silent Gods (), Mineko's Night Market (), and Silent Hope Switch () for more of our opinions.