Developer Replicant D6 is set to release Agent 64: Spies Never Die on August 11, a title that aims to recapture the magic of the seminal N64 first-person shooter GoldenEye 007. The game adopts a visual aesthetic that deliberately echoes its predecessor, featuring slightly blurry textures and character models that move akin to paper dolls. Even its fallen enemies are described as folding in death on muddy floors, a stark reminder of the original game's presentation.
While GoldenEye 007's visuals were groundbreaking for their time, they have aged considerably. Agent 64 seeks to bridge this gap, offering a presentation that is more detailed than the original but still retains a faithful retro charm. Players will experience varied environments reminiscent of the classic game, complete with characters utilizing cover, raising weapons by their sides, and environments filled with smoke effects. Explosions are described as subdued yet satisfying.
In Agent 64, players step into the role of John Walter, an operative tasked with confronting his arch-nemesis, Dominic Pulp. The game features a 14-stage campaign that can be played solo or with up to three friends. Additional modes include Challenges and Contracts, offering varied objectives and limitations to extend replayability. The game also aims to revive the local competitive multiplayer that was a hallmark of GoldenEye 007, featuring four-way split-screen play. Online multiplayer will support up to eight players, augmented by bots and over 70 gameplay modifiers, including a "Big Head mode" for a distinct retro throwback.
A free demo for Agent 64: Spies Never Die is available now on Steam, where players can also wishlist the game. As of now, there has been no announcement regarding a console release for Agent 64, though ports are a possibility in the future.