Summary
The upcoming reboot to iconic N64 FPS titlePerfect Darkhas become something of a mystery. After more than three years of waiting, very little news has come out about the remake. A mix of studio switch-ups and pandemic struggles have put the newPerfect Darkin the unfortunate position of being revealed too early.
Revealed in 2020 but rumored as early as 2018,Perfect Darkis being rebooted by The Initiative in collaboration with Crystal Dynamics. The original game released in 2000 on the N64—a Rare title that followed up on the FPS mechanics of 1997’sGoldeneye 007. BothGoldeneyeandPerfect Darkhave gone on to be big influences in the genre, and the latter got itself an Xbox 360 remaster in 2010, which itself featured in 2015’sRare Replaycompilation.
Perfect Dark’s Reboot May Have Been Announced Too Early
The Initiative has beentight-lipped about itsPerfect Darkreboot. Neither gameplay nor a release date have appeared in regard to the title. All fans can really claim to know are a handful of behind-the-scenes fiascos, from departures to engine switches. With IGN’s report that the title will be restarting development on Unreal Engine 5, it’s pretty clear thatPerfect Darkis a long ways off. In this respect, the game may have found itself inMetroid Prime 4’s shoes—its announcement coming far too soon in development.
Perfect Dark’s Reboot Should Have Waited For a Later Development Stage
According to IGN, The Initiative ‘hadn’t even figured out’core mechanics for thePerfect Darkrebootby the time the announcement trailer dropped (according to a developer present at the studio during 2020). While it’s unlikely that this is a one-off scenario in the industry, it’s undeniably a huge aspect to leave in doubt by the time an announcement trailer is made. This can be hand-waved somewhat by the fact that the reboot will likely stick to many hallmarks of the original, but it still shows how much the reveal jumped the gun. If devs don’t have a clear plan once hype starts building, the difficulty in answering fan questions can cause interest to drop off.
In addition, the title has also shifted greatly in regard to which studios are working on it. ThoughCrystal Dynamics has reportedly helpedPerfect Darkprogress, its later involvement almost a year after the announcement trailer (and three years after rumors first flared) undoubtedly led to a settling-in process that took up time. Moreover, The Initiative has been faced with numerous key departures over the years—including design director Drew Murray in 2021 and game director Daniel Neuburger in 2022. Waiting for the team to be better established would have provided more security for the unveiling to come to fruition sooner.
The Initiative Was Thrown In At The Deep End
On that subject, The Initiative has the disadvantage ofhavingPerfect Darkbe its first project. ThoughPerfect Darkmay not be as widely known now as it was in its heyday, it’s still a recognized IP. A reboot of a franchise beloved by many is a tough project for a studio’s first work. It’s very important for The Initiative to take its time to iron out its growing pains while making the game the best it can be. In retrospect,PerfectDarkmay have been better off with a delayed reveal.
Furthermore, The Initiative has had to work through the COVID-19 pandemic. The reveal trailer dropped in December 2020—right in the middle of the event. With the possibility of thePerfect Darkreboot making big changes, The Initiative really could’ve used a longer headstart before an announcement trailer.
Perfect Dark (2000)
WHERE TO PLAY
This is the game Nintendo 64 fans have waited for. Nearly three years after the uncloaking of super spy action-adventure GoldenEye 007, developer extraordinaire Rare introduces futuristic special operative Joanna Dark, a.k.a. Perfect. In Perfect Dark, players are sent on a fast-paced adventure from downtown Chicago skyscrapers to underground labs to undersea wrecks of otherworldly origins. Naturally, the storyline weaves a complex web of conspiracy, hidden agendas, and megalomaniac corporate leaders with deep underground (and off-world) ties. As spy-game fans expect, unraveling the plot and disposing of the baddies require a grab bag of hi-tech gadgets and special weapons–especially given the game’s tougher and smarter enemies. Perfect Dark features Dolby surround sound, widescreen compatibility, and–as expected–stunning special effects, including dynamic lighting, chest-thumping explosions and realistic smoke, dust and steam clouds. Characters are lifelike thanks to motion-captured animations and beautifully rendered 3-D models. Perfect Dark’s multiplayer features are impressive. As in GoldenEye 007, up to four players can deathmatch in up to 20 different arenas. But that’s just the start of the fun. The inclusion of up to eight computer-controlled opponents (“bots”) adds an original component to the frag-fest. Humans can team with or against bots and even command a bot teammate to target specific opponents. Numerous original games, such as King of the Hill, offer so many variations that you just might forget that an engrossing single-player experience lies at the heart of the game.
