819 replies to this topic

[dinovelvet]

Well, I've been playing this for 2 hours and I've just finished the Istanbul Level, which is quite lengthy. That pacing is fine with this, the only reason it's just so short for some people is because they just go in all guns blazing. Stealth is the answer.

I'm actually making it more difficult (and trying to make the game last longer!) by only using pistols and takedowns. I'll save the machine guns for when I try it on 00 difficulty!

[DamnCoffee]

Oh, I'm doing exactly the same. I think i've only used an MP5 once or twice. Other than that I've been using pistols and takedowns as well.

[Conlazmoodalbrocra]

"Please. I'm no good to you anymore." - "Ya got that right!" *SMACK*

Pure Craig Bond!

Well, I've been playing this for 2 hours and I've just finished the Istanbul Level, which is quite lengthy. That pacing is fine with this, the only reason it's just so short for some people is because they just go in all guns blazing. Stealth is the answer.

Brilliant game so far. The cut scene graphics are wank though. The in-game ones make up for it a lot!

I've been switching between Blood Stone and Football Manager 2011 all day! Thankfully, I'm making great progress with Blood Stone and I'm on course to getting Braford into League One, so all is good!

Absolutely in love with Blood Stone at the minute. You're right that stealth is the answer. If one works towards the stealth based achievements on the 360 then you can't go wrong!

Also agreed about the graphics. Still, intense game though. Best Bond game I've ever played, no doubt.

I'm currently

Spoiler

in the Burmese jungle, post plane crash, trying to fight my way past the massive helicopter. Not getting very far!

[sharpshooter]

I'll save the machine guns for when I try it on 00 difficulty!

Believe me, you’ll need them. The game is something of a breeze on the easy settings, e.g. operative and agent. But 007 difficulty is the definition of hard. I'd say it’s the hardest Bond game yet. It’s brilliant and maddening all at once. It’d take some time and effort to finish.

[DamnCoffee]

Just finished the siberia level. I was on this untill 4:30am this morning. I think I'm addicted. The levels ate actually quite long. I dunno why everyones saying they're short.

[PeteNeon]

Anyone work out what Blood Stone meant then? Perhaps it was an abbreviation of "blood from a stone?"

"God, it's like getting blood from a stone trying to find out who's behind these bio-weapons!"

[Matt_13]

Just finished the siberia level. I was on this untill 4:30am this morning. I think I'm addicted. The levels ate actually quite long. I dunno why everyones saying they're short.

Nah the game definitely isn't short, I actually think it may be one of the longest Bond games ever, as well as one of the most satisfying. There are just a few annoying problems that keep it from being a showstopper (the inability to crouch is a major flaw, as is the lack of the Bond theme). I take back a lot of what I said earlier, as 007 difficulty definitely makes the game a hell of a lot more satisfying. Damn thing froze on me last night though, just as I was finishing the second part of Burma...

[DamnCoffee]

Right I've completed it. Brilliant game. 9/10. I think this is on part with Everything or Nothing personally. Jaques' score gets tiring VERY quickly. I absoloutely loathe the fact that he didn't include the Bond theme and replaced it with an awful fanfare. Plus, that repetitive motif he plays for EVERY vehicle chase is pretty annoying.


I'm just trying to get the achievements now.

No Claims Bonus 15
Drive to the bridge in the epilogue level without hitting any other vehicles


I've done this about 5 times. Hit no vehicals at all. It won't unlock for me. What am I doing wrong?

[PeteNeon]

Jaques' score gets tiring VERY quickly. I absoloutely loathe the fact that he didn't include the Bond theme and replaced it with an awful fanfare. Plus, that repetitive motif he plays for EVERY vehicle chase is pretty annoying.

I agree, especially when you die every five minutes on 007 difficulty!

No Claims Bonus 15
Drive to the bridge in the epilogue level without hitting any other vehicles


I've done this about 5 times. Hit no vehicals at all. It won't unlock for me. What am I doing wrong?

Did you hit the logs that fall off the truck? I did it and hit the logs and it didn't unlock, but it worked when I missed them.

Edited by PeteNeon, 06 November 2010 - 05:51 PM.

[zencat]

BTW, can someone tell me why the game called Blood Stone? (Sorry if the answer is in this thread -- I haven't read all of it.)

[DamnCoffee]

Did you hit the logs that fall off the truck? I did it and hit the logs and it didn't unlock, but it worked when I missed them.

Aha! It worked, thanks!

[tdalton]

BTW, can someone tell me why the game called Blood Stone? (Sorry if the answer is in this thread -- I haven't read all of it.)

I think the title comes from

Spoiler

the diamond-encrusted knife that the villain at the end (Rak, I believe?) brandishes when he's torturing Bond at the prison camp.

[MattofSteel]

BTW, can someone tell me why the game called Blood Stone? (Sorry if the answer is in this thread -- I haven't read all of it.)

Having just beat it, I can honestly say it means - nothing. Squat.

All the talk of diamonds, DNA, an intricate scheme, etc. - meant absolutely nothing. Unless I missed something, colossally.

What a wasted opportunity. At least 'Everything or Nothing' was shoehorned into some dialogue.

I'm actually a little pissed about it. All the careful work that went into other areas of the game to 'brand' it and make it a rich (albeit short) experience, and it ends up being just an empty, depthless shell of a concept.

For awhile, it's a thrilling 'chase' where Bond disposes of a series of glorified henchmen without ever reaching a true villain. In a strange way, like QOS, there's actually something about that 'vague' approach which makes it feel strangely Fleming-like and atmospheric. Great thriller for a bit, but one with a forced payoff that's left so unexplained (especially as to how Bond ever figures it out!) that you ultimately come away feeling cheated.

Their basic script strategy was seemingly, "Throw as many elements at the screen as will stick, arbitrarily tie a few of them together at the end, never explain what the overall gist was, and have Fierstein add a few dialogue flourishes."

And yet, strangely enough, I had fun with it. Can't say I didn't enjoy. Can say I'm disappointed they wasted such great opportunities.

EDIT: Tdalton's right - that's the singular reference to anything remotely related to the title.

[tdalton]

EDIT: Tdalton's right - that's the singular reference to anything remotely related to the title.

Completely agreed with your entire post, especially regarding the title. While I think that the knife is the only thing that can be looked at as having anything to do with the title, it's a ridiculously flimsy plot device to hang the entire title on. And you're 100% correct in your analysis of the game.

[MattofSteel]

It's a real case of trying to please everyone and, instead, leaving everyone wanting. They didn't set out to make a game for gamers or a film for those of desperately want a new film: they aimed for the middle ground between the two and hit the bullseye. This is an interactive film.

Which, for me, is wonderful. Blood Stone is 100% targeted for the people who read these forums and needed a Bond hit in 2010 and would have been, understandably, furiously if all that came out was Wii-exclusive GoldenEye.

On one hand, the vague-ness of story and focus on pace and atmosphere give Blood Stone - dare I say it - a very contemporary and maybe the most Fleming vibe of any original Bond game to date. It's always interesting, to be sure. But there was certainly some meat missing on the bone.

I'll come down off my taller-than-average horse now, and point out that I am, in fact, perhaps unfairly ragging on a video game.

[DamnCoffee]

EDIT: Tdalton's right - that's the singular reference to anything remotely related to the title.

Completely agreed with your entire post, especially regarding the title. While I think that the knife is the only thing that can be looked at as having anything to do with the title, it's a ridiculously flimsy plot device to hang the entire title on. And you're 100% correct in your analysis of the game.

Blood Stone is a really bondian title. Why was The Living Daylights called The Living Daylights? Why was The World Is Not Enough called The World Is Not Enough? It's the same with A View To A Kill. They have nothing to do with the film itself, it's just that the title is shoe horned in through dialogue to make it sound remotely connected.

It really doesn't matter what the film or game is called. As long it's catchy and people enjoy it that's really all that matters.

[Iroquois]

Completed both Goldeneye and blood stone and I give them both 9/10. They are fantastic! However, does anyone know if the walther ppk is an unlockable in the game? I remember seeing a screen with bond using one, and all the guards are using them on the Monaco level. However, when you try and pick them up they only serve as ammo to the p99.

Edited by Iroquois, 06 November 2010 - 07:54 PM.

[DamnCoffee]

I'm sure I've had the PPK and P99 at some point. There's one thing that's annoying me though, I've found 15/16 weapons. I need to find and kill with the last one to get an achievement!

I absolutely adore the Monaco level. It's probably my favorite on foot level. The stealth is absolutely perfect. I love how stealth orientated the game is on the whole actually. I was playing on the Burma level earlier on today, and I literally dispatched about 8 guards without being detected. I was sitting with a massive smile on my face. Just seeing Craig takedown loads of enemies in loads of different ways is brilliant.

[Matt_13]

Hope my little lie allowed you to enjoy the ending somewhat Matt. Was a little annoyed that whats his name posted the track listing with that major spoiler tacked on the end.

[Conlazmoodalbrocra]

Just finished it right this second. Perfection. There HAS to be a Blood Stone 2 due to the major "leaving door open" bit at the end!

[Mr Teddy Bear]

Just finished Blood Stone. It's definitely solid, but as I expected it short (took under 5 hours) and I have no interest in playing it again.

The takedowns and the score are my favourite parts - they are fantastic, but the shooting in general is strong.

I was surprised that the driving was a bit of a let down. Each driving sequence is basically a time trail masquerading as a chase until the game decides the enemy will screw up at the scripted point. And weird stuff happens, like you can hit a car head on, but you keep moving forward un-fazed. Also the driving had some trail and error sections that I despise in games.

The story was handled quite well- no complaints there.

Overall, a huge step up from Quantum of Solace, but definitely not worth full price. Blood Stone is the perfect rental.

[tdalton]

Just finished Blood Stone. It's definitely solid, but as I expected it short (took under 5 hours) and I have no interest in playing it again.

The takedowns and the score are my favourite parts - they are fantastic, but the shooting in general is strong.

I was surprised that the driving was a bit of a let down. Each driving sequence is basically a time trail masquerading as a chase until the game decides the enemy will screw up at the scripted point. And weird stuff happens, like you can hit a car head on, but you keep moving forward un-fazed. Also the driving had some trail and error sections that I despise in games.

The story was handled quite well- no complaints there.

Overall, a huge step up from Quantum of Solace, but definitely not worth full price. Blood Stone is the perfect rental.

Very much agreed.

The driving was a MAJOR disappointment, for the reasons that you mentioned. It's not "chase" if there is no chance of actually catching the person that is supposedly being chased. It's just a time trial while trailing another car, waiting for the game to decide that they'll have the person being chased mess up at some point to allow the player to catch up with them. The driving levels, just like the rest of the game, feel rather half baked and are major disappointments given the talent behind this game.

[Jeff007]

Completed both Goldeneye and blood stone and I give them both 9/10. They are fantastic! However, does anyone know if the walther ppk is an unlockable in the game? I remember seeing a screen with bond using one, and all the guards are using them on the Monaco level. However, when you try and pick them up they only serve as ammo to the p99.

I could be wrong but the non suppressor P99 icon symbol on the screen looks a lot like the PPK. (which it shouldn't)

[Iroquois]

Indeed, it really bugs me because I associate Craig with the PPK rather than the P99, since Craig has brought it back. It's not a big deal, but I was in a weird way looking forward to using it.

[DamnCoffee]

Hope my little lie allowed you to enjoy the ending somewhat Matt. Was a little annoyed that whats his name posted the track listing with that major spoiler tacked on the end.

Yeah it annoyed me to.

Spoiler

'The Demise of Nicole Hunter' suggested two things to me. The first being she would obviously die, the second being she would be discovered as a mole, and her job and career would be over. Bond would bring her down.

Thanks to that fool posting the track listing, I was expecting both, and they both happened. So, It really didn't help me enjoy the ending more, because I was expecting it. Thank's for trying though.

Oh, by the way, in the launch trailer we see Bond walking away in slow motion. I thought this would be at the end of the game, I must've missed it.

[zencat]

BTW, can someone tell me why the game called Blood Stone? (Sorry if the answer is in this thread -- I haven't read all of it.)

I think the title comes from

Spoiler

the diamond-encrusted knife that the villain at the end (Rak, I believe?) brandishes when he's torturing Bond at the prison camp.

Thanks, tdalton. Still not sure why they couldn't make it one word.

[Matt_13]

BTW, can someone tell me why the game called Blood Stone? (Sorry if the answer is in this thread -- I haven't read all of it.)

I think the title comes from

Spoiler

the diamond-encrusted knife that the villain at the end (Rak, I believe?) brandishes when he's torturing Bond at the prison camp.

Thanks, tdalton. Still not sure why they couldn't make it one word.

Yeah that was all I could come up with too, and it's a stretch.

[tdalton]

BTW, can someone tell me why the game called Blood Stone? (Sorry if the answer is in this thread -- I haven't read all of it.)

I think the title comes from

Spoiler

the diamond-encrusted knife that the villain at the end (Rak, I believe?) brandishes when he's torturing Bond at the prison camp.

Thanks, tdalton. Still not sure why they couldn't make it one word.

I don't understand why it isn't one word, either.

Also, and I noticed this on a replay last night to try to get an achievement, that the title is also alluded to in the catacombs in Istanbul, when Bond goes into one of those underground rooms that is filled up to ankle-level in water, you can overhear two guards in the distance saying something about something (I can't remember what exactly) being as difficult as squeezing blood from a stone.

[Matt_13]

I've really warmed up to this game. After properly comparing it to EoN, it's damn near identical. It's not as varied, but that's because it's trying to tell a tighter story (it kind of fails on that front, but they tried). This is a wonderfully atmospheric game, with just as much to do as any other game in the canon. That said, there are a few issues present. Has anyone else noticed that at the end of the Monaco level, when Bond exits the casino, that he is wearing the blue suit from the Oil Refinery mission, instead of his tux? Wonder how that happened. Also, I caught the producer Nick Davies' name during the computer search for a contact in Monaco. Additionally, the date on the video footage of Tedworth's interrogation is the same date as the Blood Stone press conference. Nice touch there.

[Jeff007]

Has anyone else noticed that at the end of the Monaco level, when Bond exits the casino, that he is wearing the blue suit from the Oil Refinery mission, instead of his tux? Wonder how that happened.

Yes I noticed that right away. Very strange.