ARCHIVES: Textbook Play

Even More GoldenEye Homework...

Examining the path of a particular guard in the Archives Mission.

Bond hits the books to better his odds in the Military Intelligence Archives

This patrolling sentry is a deciding variable that will make or break a successful speedrun.
The goal is to finish within the Target Time of 1:20 as a 00 Agent (hardest difficulty).

Have previously commented that Super Mario Bros 3 is like a Pinball machine...
GoldenEye 007 is more like a game of Poker.

Even if you play your cards right - The unpredictability of other characters will make the whole run a total bust.

It's possible to finish the mission without even seeing this problem guard...
At the same time, he could be in the worst possible place - And there's absolutely nothing you can do about it.


The patrolling guards in the Facility are predictable (can almost set Bond's watch by it).
Most of the Facility patrollers don't travel through doors...

Computer-controlled characters often get stuck behind doors in the Archives, turning in circles until the door closes... At which point, they try again.

If the guard in the Archives navigates his course properly, he should arrive at a particular spot at a certain point in time - This seldom happens. If things go well, you might not even see him.

Interestingly enough, he's the same guard who patrols during one of the opening Intro Cameras.
(The angle that shows an outdoor area with other guards stationed around)

This area is just down the hall from where Bond stops to meet Mishkin (to complete OBJECTIVE C)



Exploring with Bond Invisible (the very same Cheat that's unlocked in this level with a successful run).

Not quite background ambience or random character animation, exactly...

The Russian Soldier guard can even get stuck in the corner with Mishkin before Bond even arrives in the room.

Get there quick enough, and the guard might just be leaving the room with his back to you.

Sometimes Bond gets to the meeting room, and the far door is wide open - Indicating the guard has just left.




After hundreds of playthroughs of this mission, and I saw something I'd never seen before...

It's Ajar.
(Normally there's a door here)

After exiting the meeting room with Mishkin (obtaining the bloody safe key & flight recorder), I raced down the hall to find the last door wide open...

There really should be "Push" and "Pull" signs on these Archives doors...

The only logical explanation is that the patrolling guard must have just finished passing through it.
He must have been stuck turning in circles behind the door while the meeting was in progress.


On another playthrough, the guard happened to catch sight of me just as I was sneaking by the basement bookcases... He technically passes through there for just a brief moment, as he travels from a hallway to enter the "big room".




Being harassed by other guards: Just as the patroller can cause problems, Bond might have a couple other guards that follow downstairs while the important meeting with Mishkin is underway.

Very few of them will manage to track you that far... But a couple of them might (occasionally even one of the black-coated guards who was holding Natalya).





On a separate but related note, all the GoldenEye speedrunning experts will use the additional strategy of looking down at the ground as they run and strafe...

Bond's always curious if the curtains match the carpet...

Apparently this speeds up the framerate, as the game is required to load fewer textures.
The Archives is an excellent mission to practice this technique.
Fewer guards to deal with, and straight, easy tiles and lines on the floors to follow.

While I definitely need more practice to be effective with this method, it's undeniably a time-saver that can shed a few additional seconds.

00 Agent Facility in 1:54 - ZERO DAMAGE!

I AM INVINCIBLE! (And Apparently Bulletproof)

Managed to do the unthinkable.
Cleared the 00 Agent Facility in GoldenEye 007 without taking so much as a scratch.
Still with perfect health, finishing within the Target Time.

 

Absolutely incredible. Couldn't believe it.
How on earth was this even possible?

Whoa.
"I'm not the one. I'm just a regular guy."

 

No Damage Clear

Wasn't even consciously aware that my health was full.
Knew I had done well, but it wasn't until pausing to access the Door Decoder that I realized my health meter was fully intact.

 

Perfect Bond Indeed...

With practice, I've been able to make it upstairs to the lab in excellent health.
On this particular run, Doak was in the side lab. No good for setting a new personal best time, but still needing some practice in the Bottling Room, I'm always up for it.

Half of Everything is Luck...

Ducked in to start the conversation with Dr. Doak and one of the Russian Soldiers pulls a grenade in the hallway.

Wipes out all of his comrades (without more than 2 Non-Military Personnel).
(Have FAILED the mission many times because of guards killing Scientists!)

Suddenly surrounded by silence, I proceed to waltz right out like I own the place.
Doesn't even feel like it really happened.
Somehow, it made me put down the controller, walk away and reflect...

Like something out of Pulp Fiction...
Sam Jackson wonders how the hell he didn't get shot and killed by those motherfuckers.

 

Other Factors:

It was on console, not the ROM.
Recently started using the technique of a tiny piece of paper on the screen to aim while running.
Nailed a few crucial guards with perfect headshots using the Silenced PP7.

Had just hit new best times for the Facility on Agent, Secret Agent, and 00 Agent.
Hit a new personal record for 00 Agent Facility just hours earlier.

Without a doubt, I've never been this good at GoldenEye before. Hadn't played in ten years.
After three months of practice, definitely in the zone.

Of course I'm nowhere near as good as the best players in the world.
Still, it's an unforgettable GoldenEye moment that I was lucky enough to achieve.

 

Took a break after several dozen runs in the afternoon. Picked it up in the evening, and it happened several attempts in. Had also gone for a nice long relaxing nature walk before dark.

Also cranked down the music - Which I still enjoy, and somehow am not sick of yet...
But it is a bit of a distraction, and I'd rather be in tune with the SFX.

And finally, just switched up to a (slightly) better N64 controller.

 

Also realized that it was on my original GoldenEye 007 game cart - So worn out that it won't load if fully inserted. Definitely has sentimental value.






For the actual strategy pages, see Blog Posts:
"Speedrun For Invincible" and "Earning Invincible - It's Infuriating!".

Let There Be Guards...

Whenever Bond finishes a mission, the game automatically "removes all guards from level" before the cutscene kicks in. (So the guards won't still be randomly attacking our hero as he exits in style)

Was curious to see what it looked like if all guards were NOT removed from the level.
Here in Bunker 1, deleted that one small instruction (ROM Modification).





In the Facility, Ourumov's troops keep firing away as Bond calmly makes his exit.

Calm and collected, Bond doesn't even flinch as he get shot...
(Fortunately, the bullet missed all vital organs)

In the Water Caverns, Bond reaches the end of the level and the elevator music quietly plays.

In this modified setup, the half dozen or so guards in the room continue to relentlessly fire at 007.

Guard opens fire at close range with his AR33 Assault Rifle.

On another playthrough, a guard pulls a grenade and wipes everybody out as Bond calmly puts his gun away.

The Water Caverns is definitely a favorite so far...

Archives Alternate Angles...

X Position	Y Position	Z Position
-141.661819	190.992340	-274.181213
Lateral Rotation Vertical Rotation 200.000000 0.000000
Comment: ARCHIVES (moved camera 01 [overlooking the interior] to just inside office hallway, with one patrolling guard, one stationary)

 

X Position	Y Position	Z Position
-277.880768	65.993637	239.020432
Lateral Rotation Vertical Rotation 2060.870117 100.000000
Comment: ARCHIVES just behind stationary guard outside Interrogation Room. Visible in the distance is the Soldier who will ultimately enter Room to execute Bond.

X Position	Y Position	Z Position
-524.609375	29.996649	650.540588
Lateral Rotation Vertical Rotation 1030.430054 100.000000
Comment: ARCHIVES basement, facing door where patrolling Soldier (Executioner) immediately walks through during intro.

X Position	Y Position	Z Position
696.278015	210.990112	784.585449
Lateral Rotation Vertical Rotation 0.000000 4000.000000
Comment: ARCHIVES upstairs patrolling guard from default intro, camera moved over closer to him so he walks towards and just offscreen as it fades to black.

Cameras in the Workplace...

Martin Hollis dons a labcoat and patrols the downstairs...
The camera from the Facility's intro cinema has been pivoted to watch the character as the level begins.
(The typical Russian Soldier has been swapped for a Scientist)

Having entirely too much fun playing with the level intro cameras in the Facility...

Low angles, high angles...
Modifying all four intro camera shots just for variety - And to see what else is happening before the mission begins.




Like setting up a series of mini spy cameras...
(Or simply a CCTV camera that MI6 Agents have hacked into)
Spying on Alec as well.
(I just don't trust the guy)


Adjusted the camera slightly...


This overhead shot of the bottling room needs some work.
Camera is a bit crooked (just like the Agent in question).


A shot looking straight down could be neat...

(Modified Bond to start between the Bottling Tanks)

It's particularly amusing when guards are patrolling.
This shot captures a stationary guard and one that's on the move.

Upstairs Laboratory area. Almost picture perfect.
Adjusted so it would be above the guards' heads.

Previously, this camera was overlooking the bottling room.
The slightly downward angle made it ideal to perch it up high.

Speedrun For Invincible...

(00 Agent Facility 2:05)

Earning Invincibility in GoldenEye 007 takes a bit of luck - And a lot of skill.

Managed to unlock the Cheat using the Silenced PP7 while encountering Dr. Doak in one of the upstairs labs (instead of the hallway).

Generally opt to cruise my way through the level with the PP7, only switching to the KF7 Soviet to eliminate four specific guards: The two guards outside the Laboratory area (the patroller and the stationary guard), plus the two guards immediately before the bottling room (both have their backs turned, if you've been stealthy).

After a couple of failed attempts, felt the frustration setting in.

In sports, you can channel your anger to become stronger - Doesn't work the same way in video games.
Also remember that Michael Jordan's philosophy is to practice as hard as he plays.

Almost ready for a break - But opted for another spirited practice run.
Giving it my all, without expecting the payoff...

Compilation of screenshots from a few other good runs:

Darting in and out of the little death room to activate the security door.

Strafing sideways gives you speed. Can sometimes even make it to one of the brown doors inside this long hallway without even being shot...

Sacrificing a Remote Mine to eliminate three guards in the long hallway.

Sliding into the problem area, and chucking a mine into the distance - And then ducking behind one of the protective walls while detonating.

Quickly strafing through immediately when it's safe (attempting) to collect a couple KF7s while dodging the gunfire and racing for the door(s)...

Clearly posted above the door: No Bonds Allowed.

Strafing side to side makes it difficult for guards to lock their fire on you.
Activate the door, strafe to the side, strafe inside, close the door, and repeat...
Closing the sliding doors behind you will slow down the guards, and stop a few bullets from hitting you in the back.

Skipping the level intro scenes is also important...

Guards patrol during the opening cinematic, directly impacting WHERE you encounter these guys - And which way they'll be facing.

As the guard in the main hallway walks away from the bathroom, Bond could be sneaking behind his back. Some guards are pacing back and forth in a small area, while others have a longer route.
Part of the challenge is that each soldier is marching to a different drum.

(Try exploring with the Bond Invisible turned on...
Can't unlock new Cheats, but may gain valuable insight on what guards are doing)

Back to the speedrun: Through the "double doors" and the "T" intersection...

Become in tune with the rhythm of patrolling guards. Some of them can be avoided completely, simply by disappearing around a corner. They'll continue their patrol, none the wiser.

The above guard is exactly where I want him. Walking towards the Laboratory Area with his back turned.
Licking my chops like a Velociraptor ready to feed...

A few bursts of KF7 fire before entering the laboratory area.

Eliminating the patroller and the stationary guard - With just enough noise to get the other guard to open the door...
Too much noise and ALL the guards will be flooding down the stairs, jamming the path.

"Beg your pardon. Forgot to knock."

Guard just inside the lab can do anything to make or break the run...
He can crouch, roll, or even jump to the side....

These Soldiers will also duck, run, roll, jump and do any number of unpredictable things.

Coming off the stairs, the aim can be messed up.
And sometimes the guards just stare as if they're blind drunk...
(Other times they charge at you in a Vodka-fueled act of reckless bravado)



Fingers crossed that Doak is up here somewhere with that Door Decoder.
Three spots upstairs where he can be...

Upstairs patrolling guard is oblivious.

Shooting at the two guards behind this pillar before they can react...
Although on the previous run, one of them eagerly charged forward with his gun.

If Dr. Doak is in this ideal spot, the conversation text might appear before you actually see him...

No need to stick around.
The very instant text appears on the screen, you're all set to race for the Bottling Room.

Dr. Doak, hiding in the corner of the hallway.

Hauling ass down the hallway immediately as the conversation with Dr. Doak begins.
(He's a competent double-agent, and can complete the hand-off even if you're a hundred feet away)

Duncan Botwood was determined to stop me from finishing the level within the target time...
(He also performed one of his spectacular death scenes)

A quick burst of KF7 fire to eliminate the guards on the corner just before Bottling Room door -
Too many shots will rouse the guards stationed in other rooms.





Done the damned Facility so many times now that I could complete it in my sleep...

"I almost killed myself getting here..."

Really only need three mines to destroy the ten tanks...
But practicing this several times was key, so that muscle memory takes over.
Bond seems to chuck the mines with his right hand, so be just slightly offset (to your left).

With OBJECTIVE C: COMPLETED and OBJECTIVE D: COMPLETED appearing on the screen, strafe out of the Facility doors and hold my breath...

"I am Invincible!"

What a rush! Expecting to just barely hit the 2.05.
Couple of seconds to spare.
Also happy with my accuracy and kill count.

Normally score 15-17 kills on a speedrun like this.
Racked up 20. (Must have been in a particularly nasty mood)


Back in the  '90s, the thing to do was to try and attain the best time possible.
Managed to pull it off in 1:35. Even captured a video of 1:43.

Some of those tactics were pretty suicidal - A much more streamlined approach these days.
Stealthy, smooth and calculating - But stay alive more often.

Experiment. Improvise. Always have a game plan in my head - But things go awry in a hurry, and quick thinking on the fly can sometimes save your run.

More often then not, it's Abort Mission and try again.
(Seems to save on morale)

Know when to push through and learn new things...
Find more efficient ways to deal with certain guards and navigate corners.



It's a two minute thrill-ride where you can only imagine what it's like to be Bond...
James Bond.

Player B...

A congregation of familiar faces in Multiplayer

Costume Designer and Character Artist B Jones manages to make more cameos in the GoldenEye 007 video game than anyone else...

She not only is the face of the Helicopter Pilot and Janus Special Forces from Multiplayer, but also plays Terrorist - And technically has a fourth appearance with the 64 Characters Code making an appearance in a tuxedo. This makes a whopping FOUR performances. Bravo!

Awaiting Execution in the Archives...

The Archives mission begins in the Interrogation Room....
Wait long enough, and a Guard will come along to execute James Bond.

Programmed to attack with a random animation, the Soldier elects to pull a grenade - indoors, with other guards in the room.

Thinking quickly, Bond dashes to the other side of the room...
He survives the blast (without even messing up his hair).

This is why I love GoldenEye 007.
It's different every time.

Earning Invincible - It's Infuriating!

A very delicate mission that requires precision and dexterity...
Putting together a "Golden Run" of the Facility in 2:05 (or less).
An assignment for 00 Agents only.

How the hell did I ever manage to do this back then? It was an insane dash that got me killed most of the time.

Feel that my movement is much smoother now... Can make it upstairs in perfect health with Dr. Doak nowhere to be found. Abort mission at 1:14. Three times in a row... At least I've developed consistency.

A compilation of attempts that didn't go so well...

Guard with the keycard decides to duck, dodge and do a little dance...
Emptied an entire clip at head level, and couldn't tag him once.

Room with the Security Activated door... The guards love shooting at the computer so it blows up.
Just wish I'd have gotten there a second sooner to press the button BEFORE they destroyed it.

Bond gets bounced around like a ping-pong ball...
Not only losing serious health, but finding it insanely difficult to keep running towards that door.
Sometimes the guards will hit the explosive crates (of potatoes and bananas) and everybody dies.

Chucking a Remote Mine down this hallway to dispose of these three guards...
Threw it WAY too far this time, with these guys nowhere near the explosion.

Down For The Count...

And because I absolutely want to re-watch my own death THREE times,
here are three of my favorites....

Bond sticks his neck into an upstairs laboratory looking to find Dr. Doak.
Definitely not where you want him to be - The ideal spot is out in the hallway.

On one attempt, actually found Doak in the very first room near the beginning of the level.
(Only went in there because I was practically dead anyway, and considered it a wasted run)
Grabbed the decoder and tore through the upstairs and subsequent bottling room as a practice.
Finished at 2:18.

"Close the door Alec, there's a draft... Alec?"

Shot to death on the stairs inside the bottling room... Never had that happen before.
With a mission time of 1:29, still plenty of time left to work with.


Closer still...

While I was destroying the tanks, the least Alec could have done was put a bullet in that guy's head...
Who's side is he on, anyway?

Still getting better. Put together another relatively smooth run shortly thereafter - But getting held up by guards in a few spots cost me valuable seconds. Performed other tasks efficiently and professionally, stepping out just as the conversation with Trevelyan wrapped up - Already knowing I just missed it.


Two separate attempts, finished at 2:09.

"Better luck next time, Mr. Bond."

Four seconds...



Would finally hit the target a few days later.
Blog Post: Speedrun For Invincible


An alternate strategy for gaining access to the Bottling Room...
Blog Post: Open Sesame!


Another miraculous moment like something out of The Matrix...
Blog Post: 00 Agent Facility in 1:54 - ZERO DAMAGE!