Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

007: Nightfire delivers a varied gameplay experience that blends stealth, gunplay, gadget use and high-speed driving sequences. The single-player campaign spans twelve missions, each designed to test different aspects of Bond’s skill set. From infiltrating Phoenix International facilities to tailing targets through crowded city streets, the level design encourages players to mix up loud confrontations with quiet takedowns.

The integration of Q’s gadgets—such as the laser watch, X-ray eyeglasses and remote-controlled micro-vehicles—adds depth to every encounter. You’ll find yourself planning silent entries with the X-ray goggles to scope out enemy positions before deciding whether to sneak by or take out guards with a silenced Walther. This push-and-pull between stealth and all-out assault keeps the pacing fresh throughout the campaign.

Interspersed between foot missions are five driving levels featuring the iconic Aston Martin V12 Vanquish and other exotic sports cars. Console players will recognize these adrenaline-fueled chases as a highlight, offering handbrake turns, explosive set pieces and the chance to use onboard gadgets like rear-launching missiles. PC owners, meanwhile, can look forward to their own roster of exclusive bonus missions that further extend replay value.

On top of the robust single-player mode, Nightfire’s multiplayer suite is surprisingly deep for its time. With over ten modes—including classic deathmatch, objective-based battles and character variants drawn from previous Bond films—it’s easy to lose hours mastering each map. Weapon unlocks, customizable loadouts and memorable multiplayer arenas make this component a must-try for fans of split-screen or LAN play.

However, Nightfire isn’t without its hiccups. Enemy AI can occasionally feel inconsistent—some guards detect you from unrealistically far away, while others ignore a firefight happening ten feet away. The driving levels, though exhilarating, sometimes suffer from slippery handling and occasional camera jostles. Even so, these minor drawbacks rarely overshadow the core fun of stepping into Bond’s shoes.

Graphics

Visually, 007: Nightfire stands out among early-2000s shooters. Environments range from the icy landscapes of Kazakhstan to the neon-lit streets of Shanghai, each rendered with solid texture work and eye-catching color palettes. The attention to detail in mission locales—broken glass, scattered crates, even the flicker of surveillance monitors—adds a layer of immersion that complements the stealth gameplay.

Character models capture the spirit of the Bond universe, with villainous henchmen sporting distinctive uniforms and the ‘Bond girls’ receiving stylized costumes that fit their exotic backdrops. Raphael Drake’s slick corporate suits and sinister smirk make him instantly memorable, even if his underlying motives feel familiar. Dynamic lighting effects—such as flashlights slicing through fog or muzzle flashes illuminating dark corridors—heighten the atmosphere during tense encounters.

Vehicle models also receive careful treatment. The V12 Vanquish gleams under city lights, while off-road sports cars kick up dust as you drift through desert canyons. Reflections dance across polished hoods, and skid marks etch themselves into asphalt, reminding you that Nightfire is as much about car chases as it is about covert ops.

That said, the game does exhibit the occasional pop-in and texture aliasing, especially on older console hardware. Frame rate drops can occur during heavy firefights or when many particle effects are on screen. On PC, higher resolutions and detail settings help alleviate these issues, though players may need to tweak graphics options for optimal performance. Overall, the visual package remains impressive for its era and continues to hold up better than many contemporaries.

Story

The narrative of Nightfire places Bond in direct conflict with the Phoenix International Corporation, a seemingly noble enterprise dedicated to disarming nuclear warheads. The twist—that CEO Raphael Drake is secretly stockpiling these warheads for his own agenda—provides a classic Bond-style betrayal and global threat. From your first intel briefing to the final face-off, the stakes remain high and the pace unrelenting.

Cutscenes are frequent and well-produced, often featuring slick transitions between pre-rendered footage and in-engine sequences. Bond’s exchanges with M, Moneypenny and Q inject the trademark wry humor fans expect, while Drake’s corporate veneer gives way to chilling ruthlessness as the plot unfolds. A handful of minor characters help propel the story forward, though veteran players may spot familiar archetypes—double agents, femme fatales and opportunistic henchmen—dressed up in Bond’s signature style.

Voice acting is generally solid, with actors nailing British accents and delivering smooth one-liners. While Pierce Brosnan’s likeness is faithfully captured, his absence in voice form on certain platforms is noticeable, replaced by a capable but slightly different performance. Despite this, the dialogue remains engaging, and each mission briefing feels like part of an overarching spy thriller rather than a disconnected objective list.

The story’s globe-trotting scope—from tropical islands to high-security labs—reinforces Bond’s international reach, and every locale introduces a set piece that ties directly back into Drake’s plan. Even if the narrative follows some familiar tropes, it executes them with flair, ensuring that players remain invested in stopping Phoenix’s deadly scheme before it’s too late.

Overall Experience

Stepping into James Bond’s shoes in 007: Nightfire is a gratifying journey for fans of action-packed shooters and spy thrillers alike. The combination of stealth-based infiltrations, gadget-driven puzzles and explosive gunplay strikes a satisfying balance that rarely feels stale. Add in the exhilaration of high-speed car chases and you have a package that caters to multiple play styles.

The game’s production values—strong level design, atmospheric lighting and polished set pieces—help maintain immersion from start to finish. Occasional AI quirks and camera issues in driving sections are minor bumps in an otherwise smooth ride. More importantly, the extensive multiplayer suite offers lasting appeal, turning Nightfire from a one-off campaign into a party favorite for local and online matches.

Though released more than a decade ago, Nightfire still holds up as one of the stronger Bond game entries. Its blend of cinematic storytelling, creative gadget use and varied mission types ensures that players feel like they’re living out an authentic 007 adventure. Whether you’re drawn in by the promise of stopping Raphael Drake’s nuclear plot or simply eager to put some rounds through enemy henchmen, Nightfire delivers a memorable espionage thrill ride.

For those seeking a classic Bond experience with both solo and social appeal, 007: Nightfire remains a title worth revisiting. Load up your Walther, engage Q’s gadgets and prepare to save the world—agent style.

Retro Replay Score

7.5/10