An N64 throwback spy shooter that’s pretty short, but it’s still a fun blast
Reviewed on: PC via Steam
Agent 64: Spies Never Die is a game that’s hard to put into words when it comes to whether or not I can recommend it to people. Overall, the game feels great to play, especially in the full release after I had only played the one-level demo during Steam Next Fest in 2021. However, while I love playing through this game, it is not something that will be for everyone.
Agent 64: Spies Never Die — Official Launch Trailer
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Not So Smooth Operator
This game is heavily inspired by GoldenEye 007 on the Nintendo 64, almost to a fault. This is exacerbated by the fact that the story is not good. The plot is light; there is not much there in terms of substantial developments to the plot or characters, and it is delivered through dialogue that can take you out of the game because of how bad it can get.
However, this game does scratch that retro-shooter itch, especially when running through rooms, gunning down enemies while strafing sideways. It hits a nearly perfect balance between chaotic and manageable.
But this also just feels like GoldenEye 007, which is good because GoldenEye 007 was great. It just does not do anything to stand out besides having the great gameplay of GoldenEye 007.
That issue is compounded by the Cypher system, where you have to replay missions on harder difficulties to unlock new ones. This was not that bad for me, mainly because I enjoyed running through the levels, but others on the game’s Steam review page found it to be an issue.
This does not ruin the game. In fact, replaying missions on harder difficulties, trying to beat the par time for the level, and spraying every enemy with a hailstorm of bullets while props explode around you can be really fun. It sucked me into the game for a while.
The Fast and the Par Time
What really got me into the game was seeing that the first mission had a par time to beat. I love challenges like these, but what I did not expect was just how fast you have to move to beat it. The time was one minute and 30 seconds, and my first run through the mission took seven minutes.
I spent a while going back to the level over and over again to beat the time, optimizing my route and getting efficient at doing drive-bys on enemies as I passed them. This is a testament to the level design, which is pretty consistent throughout and allows you to keep your momentum through the level for the most part.
As mentioned previously, the game is littered with props that, when shot, explode into shards of glass, metal, or whatever else they are made of. It happens in such a fantastic way that it feels a little like how F.E.A.R. used its props to create Hollywood-style action in every set piece.
I only noticed these things after going back and forth on the par times throughout the game, but it is something that should be appreciated. It makes the whole “shooting random guys” thing feel so much more impactful when you take a second to pay attention to the screen rather than the timer.
More for Your Time
Agent 64: Spies Never Die also has a good deal of side content: challenge modes with their own par times, contracts you discover through hidden masks in the missions, and even a multiplayer mode that is fun when you grab a couple of friends for deathmatch.
It can still feel a little bare-bones with all these modes, however. This is especially true of the multiplayer. You only start with three maps and need to play through the challenge modes to unlock the full range. The guns can also feel samey, especially against real people.
The challenge modes are great fun, but they run into the same problem: everything can start to blend together. It was still fun playing against different kinds of AI, including the dreaded Slapper, who runs up to you and beats you to death.
Final Thoughts
Agent 64: Spies Never Die is a good game. Not great, not bad, just good. It does not have much of an identity outside its inspiration, but it has a good foundation and is almost undeniably fun!
I just wish this game were about 10% better: better weapons, better AI, better modes, and a better story.
If it were not for the fun gameplay, there would not be enough here. I could still see this being a great little time-trial FPS and a good option for deathmatch with a few friends. But for the most part, unless you are looking for a new game that is like GoldenEye 007, it might not be enough for you.
For me, however, this game landed at 6/10: easy to like, hard to love.
Agent 64: Spies Never Die
Release: August 11, 2026
Genre: Retro First-Person Shooter, Action, Adventure, Indie
Developer / Publisher: Replicant D6
Platforms: PC — Steam
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Written by Jake Boyette, Writer & Reviewer at Fix Gaming Channel. Edited for publication.
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