James Bond 007: Tomorrow Never Dies
Introduction
James Bond games have a long and storied history, but few faced as much pressure as the 1999 release of James Bond 007: Tomorrow Never Dies. Coming off the back of the genre-defining GoldenEye 007, the expectations for a follow-up were immense. While the previous title was a first-person shooter, this PlayStation outing took a different path. Developed by Black Ops Entertainment and published by Electronic Arts, it marked a new era for the franchise, moving into the hands of third-party publishers for the first time in years and establishing a new cinematic direction for 007 in the digital space.
Story & Setting
The narrative faithfully adapts the 1997 film starring Pierce Brosnan. The plot centers on Elliot Carver, a media mogul who believes information is the ultimate weapon. Carver’s plan is villainous: he intends to spark a war between the United Kingdom and the People's Republic of China. To achieve this goal, he sinks a British ship using his own stealth vessel and frames the Chinese Air Force for the attack. By controlling the flow of news through his CMGN network, he hopes to boost his television ratings and secure exclusive broadcasting rights. As Bond, players must navigate through various global locations, from the snowy peaks of Siberia to the bustling streets of Saigon, to stop Carver’s plan and prevent a global conflict.
Gameplay
In a significant shift, the game features a third-person perspective rather than the traditional first-person view. This perspective allows for more cinematic action and emphasizes Bond’s physical movements and character model. The gameplay is mission-based, requiring players to complete objectives such as gathering intelligence, sabotaging enemy hardware, or escaping high-security facilities. To assist with combat on the PlayStation controller, a lock-on aiming system was introduced. Beyond standard gunplay, the game includes several high-octane vehicle-based missions. Players can enjoy high-speed skiing chases and drive the gadget-laden BMW 750iL. Bond also utilizes classic gadgets like the laser-cutting watch and cufflink detonators, ensuring the gameplay feels like a true spy experience.
This game was primarily developed for the PlayStation console and enjoyed a global release with several localized titles. In France, the game was known as James Bond 007 : Demain ne meurt jamais, while German players saw it as James Bond 007: Der Morgen stirbt nie. In Spanish-speaking markets, it was released under the title James Bond 007: El Mañana Nunca Muere.
Legacy
The legacy of James Bond 007: Tomorrow Never Dies is often debated among fans. While it was criticized for lacking the multiplayer mode that made its predecessor a household name, it was a significant commercial success, selling millions of copies worldwide. It proved that the Bond license remained incredibly lucrative across different platforms and genres. It also established Electronic Arts as the primary caretaker of the 007 gaming brand for the early 2000s, paving the way for future cinematic hits like The World Is Not Enough. Today, it is remembered as a solid transition for the secret agent into the 32-bit console era.
Fun Facts
Interestingly, although the game features Pierce Brosnan's likeness, James Bond is actually voiced by actor Adam Blackwood. The game follows the movie's script so closely that it includes specific scenes and locations that were originally cut from the final theatrical version of the film, such as the mission in the Hotel Atlantic. Furthermore, the decision to exclude multiplayer was controversial but intentional, as the developers wanted to focus entirely on delivering a cinematic single-player story. This was also the first Bond game to feature a fully orchestrated soundtrack based on the film's musical score.
