James Bond 007: A View to a Kill (1985)

by Nish
written by Nish 7 minutes read

Summary

James Bond 007: A View to a Kill (1985)

James Bond 007: A View to a Kill is a text-based adventure game developed by Angelsoft, Inc. and published by Mindscape Inc. in 1985 for DOS, Macintosh, and Apple II computers. It is based on the James Bond film of the same name.

The game follows James Bond as he investigates the activities of Max Zorin, a ruthless businessman who is plotting to destroy Silicon Valley with a deadly microchip. Bond must travel to various locations around the world, including England, France, and Siberia, in order to uncover Zorin’s plans and stop him.

The gameplay is similar to other text-based adventure games of the era. The player controls Bond by typing in commands, such as “go north” or “examine table.” The game responds with a description of the current location and any objects or people that are present. The player must use their wits to solve puzzles and progress through the game.

One of the unique features of A View to a Kill is its use of digitized speech. When Bond interacts with certain characters, the player will hear actual dialogue from the film. This was a groundbreaking feature at the time, and it helped to create a more immersive experience for the player.

The game was generally well-received by critics. It was praised for its faithfulness to the film, its challenging puzzles, and its innovative use of digitized speech. However, some critics found the game to be too difficult and unforgiving.

Gameplay

A View to a Kill is a text-based adventure game played from a first-person perspective. The player controls James Bond by typing in commands, such as “go north” or “examine table.” The game responds with a description of the current location and any objects or people that are present.

The player must use their wits to solve puzzles and progress through the game. For example, in one scene, Bond must find a way to disable a security system. The player must first find a fuse box and then use a wire cutter to disable the fuse.

The game features a variety of puzzles, from simple object puzzles to more complex logic puzzles. The player must also be aware of their surroundings and the people they interact with. Some characters may be helpful, while others may be hostile.

Plot

The game follows James Bond as he investigates the activities of Max Zorin, a ruthless businessman who is plotting to destroy Silicon Valley with a deadly microchip. Bond must travel to various locations around the world, including England, France, and Siberia, in order to uncover Zorin’s plans and stop him.

Along the way, Bond meets a variety of characters, including Stacey Sutton, a geologist who is investigating Zorin’s activities, and Sir Godfrey Tibbett, the head of MI6. Bond must use his wits and charm to gain the trust of these characters and get their help in stopping Zorin.

The game’s plot is faithful to the film, but there are some minor differences. For example, in the game, Bond does not meet Pola Ivanova, the KGB agent who helps him in the film.

Characters

  • James Bond: The protagonist of the game and a British Secret Service agent.
  • Max Zorin: The main antagonist of the game and a ruthless businessman who is plotting to destroy Silicon Valley.
  • Stacey Sutton: A geologist who is investigating Zorin’s activities.
  • Sir Godfrey Tibbett: The head of MI6.
  • May Day: Zorin’s personal bodyguard and a skilled assassin.
  • Scarpine: Zorin’s henchman and a skilled pilot.
  • Gobinda: Zorin’s henchman and a skilled martial artist.

Development

A View to a Kill was developed by Angelsoft, Inc., a small software company based in California. The game was designed by Michael Breault and David Warhol, and it was programmed by David Warhol and Mark Reid.

The game was developed on a shoestring budget, and the team had to be creative in order to create a game that was both faithful to the film and fun to play. For example, the team used digitized speech from the film to create a more immersive experience for the player.

Release

A View to a Kill was released for DOS, Macintosh, and Apple II computers in 1985. The game was a commercial success, selling over 100,000 copies worldwide.

Reception

A View to a Kill was generally well-received by critics. It was praised for its faithfulness to the film, its challenging puzzles, and its innovative use of digitized speech. However, some critics found the game to be too difficult and unforgiving.

Legacy

A View to a Kill is considered to be one of the best James Bond video games ever made. It is still enjoyed by fans of the franchise today.

Trivia

  • A View to a Kill was the first James Bond video game to feature digitized speech.
  • The game’s soundtrack is composed by John Barry, who also composed the music for the film.
  • The game was released in Japan under the title 007: A View to a Kill.

Review Score

7.5/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

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Nish is a software engineer by day and avid gamer who loves to play video games after he puts his two boys to bed. His insights delve into the mechanics, and storytelling of the games he plays with the aim to share his passion with the audience. He loves to travel back to his native India and travel the country on his restored Royal Enfield Bullet 350, a relic from a simpler time, like some of the games he plays.

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