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June 2, 1999
That Bond game that never dies is about to
become more public than ever, in a stealthy
sort of way. Tomorrow Never Dies, now
being published by EA and developed by
Black Opps in conjunction with MGM,
looks to be the kind of killer-thriller
action/stealth game we all want to get our
hands on. A smooth operating title with a
plethora of game styles and killing
techniques, Tomorrow Never Dies brings
the third-person perspective into the Bond
arena, enabling a better look at the
environments and the enemies you must
take out, and reintroducing similar
gameplay themes from Metal Gear Solid
and Syphon Filter.
Rather than merely copy the "sniper with a
mission" gameplay format from Goldeneye
or MDK, Black Ops incorporates this
aspect into a wider, more ambitious title.
With three different engines working to
bring gamers completely into the Bond
universe, even I can barely wait for the
early beta to play (being the
howl-at-the-moon fan of Goldeneye that I
am). Gamers will start off with simple
missions in which stealth and shooting
make up the major part of play. But later
on, Bond will ski -- and take on enemies
while skiing -- and drive around in a ultra
sleek BMW 750I. While some liberties are
being taken to incorporate extra tidbits
from other movies, the game TND is
entirely based on this particular movie.
Bond is able to exercise all of his best
attributes in this massive game. In the
12-plus missions, each containing
numerous levels, the post cold war spy is
able to use sniper weapons (enabling
zooming and panning capabilities), access
night goggles, strafe from side to side, tuck
into a roll, and duck under fire. To solve
the problem of forced views often found in
third-person games, players will have the
option of turning on a translucent option,
making Bond see-through so players can
see and aim better at their enemies and
targets. Level environments involve snowy
areas in which treading on foot and skiing are key to achieving mission
objectives.
The story in Tomorrow Never Dies loosely follows the movie's plot, twists,
and turns, and gamers should expect to find themselves in situations found in
the movie. Expect to see a highly stylized movie presentation that makes the
best of FMV, and exceptionally seamless gameplay-to-movies-and-back
storytelling.
So, yes, Tomorrow Never Dies shares some similarities with Goldeneye.
After all, they're both thrilling action /stealth games starring the most popular,
charming misogynist ever. But the variety of missions and the possibility of
playing another Bond character, Wai Lin (Michelle Yeoh), will separate this
from any previous Bond titles. And, it's a completely different story, with
game experiences that are sure to make this its own unique experience.
In case you didn't get the full rundown, here is the official lineup of features
that will be in the PlayStation game:
-Third-person perspective enabling fluid character movement. While on
foot, players can execute a variety of action moves including a
360-degree tuck and roll and stealth moves.
-Three different modes of gameplay. Players control Bond through
adventures while on foot, skiing and driving.
-Two player head-to-head mode where players can choose to be 007,
the Chinese secret agent Wai Lin, or other characters from the film.
This mode features several unique levels where power-ups randomly
spawn between the players. Gamers will be able to select vertical or
horizontal split screen.
-True to the Bond movie legacy, Tomorrow Never Dies will feature
more than a dozen fully interactive gadgets and weapons. Gadgets will
include such Q-inspired masterpieces as cufflink detonators, laser
designator, microscopic tracking devices, satellite up-link cameras and
a new versatile cel phone device.
-Special weapons effects to include infrared goggles, microscopic
tracking devices, ski pole rocket launchers and satellite up-link
cameras.
-More than 10 single-player missions set in a variety of locations based
on the movie. Missions to include Military Outpost, Arms Bazaar,
Carver Media Center, Hotel Atlantic, Ski Ridge and stealth boat in Ha
Long Bay.
-In-game cinematic transitions, using realtime 3D and footage from the
film.
-Enemy Artificial Intelligence that reacts to audible and visible cues.
-A variety of selectable user views that enable the player to witness the
action from several different angles, bringing a new experience with
each view.
-Dual Shock Controller support.
In the end, Tomorrow Never Dies will thrill us, I am sure of that. The
combination of great music, all sorts of wide-ranging level objectives,
gadgets, weapons, and a killer trio of physics engines nearly guarantee
its success.
Douglass Perry
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