Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

007: Tomorrow Never Dies largely unfolds as a traditional third-person shooter, placing players in the polished shoes of James Bond as he infiltrates enemy compounds, neutralizes guards and plants explosives. The core loop revolves around moving through interconnected environments, using a mix of firearms and stealth to advance. Bond’s arsenal includes silenced pistols, a sniper rifle and his signature Walther P99, each offering a balance between power and precision. While the free-aim mode grants full control over targeting, most combat encounters hinge on the auto-lock system—approach an enemy, face their general direction, and your firepower locks on automatically.

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This lock-on mechanic streamlines firefights for those who prefer cinematic flair over pin-point accuracy, but it can feel forgiving at higher difficulties, reducing the tension in firefights. Enemies often stand in predictable patrol routes and lack advanced AI tactics, so once you learn their patterns, many encounters devolve into simple shoot-and-lock affairs. For purists seeking greater challenge, toggling to free aim makes each skirmish more deliberate, but those moments remain overshadowed by the game’s built-in assistance.

Breaking up the on-foot action are two standout diversions: a high-speed car chase and an adrenaline-fueled skiing segment. The driving levels task you with tailing Elliot Carver’s stealth ship hunters, weaving through traffic and firing at pursuing vehicles—all while avoiding civilian obstacles. The skiing chapter meanwhile shifts you downhill, dispatching enemy winter operatives with well-timed shots and evasive maneuvers. Both set pieces inject welcome variety but can feel under-polished compared to the core shooting levels—controls feel loose at times, and collision detection occasionally glitches, yet they still offer memorable Bond thrills.

Graphics

Considering its late-’90s pedigree, 007: Tomorrow Never Dies delivers visuals that capture the cinematic scope of the film, albeit through a lens of low-poly charm. Character models for Bond, Elliot Carver and key allies boast recognizable silhouettes, though facial details are blocky by modern standards. Environments range from glossy high-tech offices to weathered docks and snow-capped mountains, each rendered with moody lighting that evokes the franchise’s sleek aesthetic.

Textures tend to be simple and repeat across surfaces, leading to occasional visual monotony in larger levels. Pop-in becomes noticeable when new guard patrols or objects appear suddenly at close range, and animations—especially enemy reactions to gunfire—can feel stiff. That said, particle effects for muzzle flashes, explosions and water splashes remain impressive for the era, adding cinematic flair to firefights and chase sequences.

On PC, higher resolutions and faster hardware alleviate some jagged edges, while the console versions (PlayStation and Nintendo 64) trade frame-rate stability for more pronounced texture filtering. Whichever platform you choose, Tomorrow Never Dies leans into atmosphere over technical showmanship, delivering a Bond world that feels familiar even if it shows its age.

Story

The narrative of Tomorrow Never Dies hews closely to its cinematic counterpart: media mogul Elliot Carver orchestrates a manufactured conflict between Britain and China to boost his global news empire. Bond’s mission is straightforward—investigate Carver’s stealth ship, clear Britain’s name and halt the brinkmanship before it erupts into war. From the opening briefing to the final showdown aboard Carver’s vessel, the plot moves at a brisk pace, stringing together set-piece encounters that mirror key movie moments.

Cutscenes—comprised of in-engine graphics and occasional still frames—convey essential story beats, though voice acting varies in quality. Bond’s quips maintain series-typical wit, while Carver’s monologues carry enough menace to justify the stakes. Supporting characters such as Wai Lin appear briefly to advance objectives, but the lack of deep character development makes these interactions feel more functional than emotionally resonant.

Despite these limitations, the storyline provides a clear through-line that motivates each mission. Objectives like rescuing hostages, retrieving classified data and sabotaging Carver’s broadcast array give purpose to the firefights. Players familiar with the film will appreciate the nods to iconic scenes, while newcomers still get a coherent espionage thriller—though it occasionally rushes major plot revelations in service of action overload.

Overall Experience

007: Tomorrow Never Dies succeeds as a nostalgic time capsule of late-’90s Bond gaming—a straightforward shooter infused with spy-craft toys, globe-trotting locales and a charismatic villain. Its core gunplay may feel rudimentary by today’s standards, but the auto-lock feature and simple mission design keep the experience accessible. The driving and skiing levels, while imperfect, break the monotony and reinforce the sense that you’re living out a Bond blockbuster.

Technical shortcomings—stiff AI, dated textures and occasional control quirks—are balanced by the game’s unwavering commitment to franchise flair. Audiophiles will appreciate the licensed score and Bond’s dry one-liners, even if the lack of full-motion video clips diminishes cinematic impact. Replay value emerges from unlocking harder difficulty levels and hunting for hidden mission secrets, though dedicated completionists may find the absence of a checkpoint system frustrating.

For fans of classic James Bond adventures or collectors of retro shooters, Tomorrow Never Dies offers a slice of espionage action dripping with period charm. It may not redefine the genre, but it captures the essence of Bond’s high-stakes world with enough variety and star power to entertain casual players and series devotees alike.

Retro Replay Score

6.6/10