Graphics: 8 / 10
The graphics in Perfect Dark Zero are some of the best in the genre. From the minute you load up the first level and see the detail in the guards and the surrounding landscapes, you are really thrust into the experience.

The game supports all possible display resolutions offered by the Xbox 360 hardware and to truly see the beauty of PDZ you must play it in HD. There is some minor slowdown during some cutscenes and some of the inanimate objects do appear to have not been updated during the many platform changes this title endured.

Overall the graphics are excellent for a first gen launch title and show some true style on the part of Rare, LTD.

Sound: 7 / 10
Sound in Perfect Dark Zero is both good and bad, and you will often find areas of this inconsistency throughout any of the levels. Sound effects like guns firing, bombs exploding, and the reloading of the guns, pop with power with the proper 5.1 surround-sound stereo system. However, many of the voiceover work is strictly what you would expect and not anything special. Most of the music tracks in PDZ are very similar and forgettable. A game worthy of a custom soundtrack is about the best complement that you can give the game's music.

Controls: 7 / 10
PDZ controls quite well for a console FPS. It borrows some of the design elements from the game Halo in that the speed of the game is meant to be slower in order to increase accuracy. Instead of a jump button, Rare put in a button that lets you roll out of the way of danger. You can also dual-wield many of the weapons you pick up and perform melee attacks with ease.

The main problem with the control scheme is its aim sensitivity is not intuitive. Some minor tweaking can get rid of much of the problem, but that game’s aim still doesn’t match up to titles like Halo.

Gameplay: 9 / 10
PDZ is packed with so many modes and options that it can be overwhelming. First and foremost the game is a hybrid mix of action fps and stealth gameplay. Some levels involve sneaking past cameras; others involve leading assaults across bridges. You will find plenty of gameplay here to keep you interested in the game after you finish the single player campaign once you go onto Xbox Live. Sore spots include a forgettable story line that is clichéd and there is awkward aim sensitivity in the default setting.

Longevity: 10 / 10
Not often does a title come with such a robust online element. The online play of PDZ is the backbone of the title. The single player campaign is fun, yet short and forgettable. The real meat comes from the two online play modes called Deathmatch and Dark Ops. Deathmatch is typical stuff, like team deathmatch and capture the flag, while Dark Ops is a more strategic take for an online shooter, much on the same line as counterstrike. Once you get involved with the online portion of PDZ, this game will last you months.

Overall: 8 / 10
PDZ is a triumphant return to form for Rare LTD, showing the company didn’t lose any talent in its time off. The amazing graphics, genius gadgets, and robust and deep online mode make it a great title. The forgettable single player, average voice acting, and awkward aim sensitivity hold it back from being a classic.