We’ll love it; we’ll love it not. The gaming public’s expectations for Rare’s first-person shooter have gone back and forth from optimism to skepticism more often than a ball at the Chinese ping-pong championships. Multiplayer was never in serious doubt; Zero’s is so ambitious, so filled with weapons, modes, vehicles, and cool new ideas, that it seemed everyone found something to like (count on it to be the most popular online game from the 360’s launch on into the foreseeable future). But what about single player? The screens were hit or miss, and Rare, as usual, wasn’t talking.

Finally, we can rest easy. After playing through two levels of the game, we can say the graphics are good, the controls solid, and the gameplay refreshing—especially the amazingly extensive co-op mode (splitscreen or over Xbox Live). The other good news is that Perfect Dark Zero should be out at the same time as the system, making it (along with Project Gotham Racing 3) one of the safest bets on launch day.

Copyright © 2005 Ziff Davis Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Originally appearing in Electronic Gaming Monthly.