The campaign is played from a first-person perspective across missions based on GoldenEye locations. Each mission assigns objectives such as acquiring information, destroying equipment, rescuing allies, or escaping an area; higher difficulties add objectives and make enemies more dangerous.

Bond can move, aim, fire, reload, change weapons, use gadgets, and interact with mission targets. Weapons have different ammunition and handling characteristics, while stealth can reduce alarms and incoming fire. A separate split-screen multiplayer mode supports competitive matches with selectable arenas, weapons, rules, and characters.

Study the objective list before engaging enemies, because completing a mission is not always equivalent to reaching the exit. Use silenced weapons and suppressed shots when stealth matters, and avoid unnecessary alarms on higher difficulties.

Search rooms for armor, ammunition, computers, and alternate routes. Keep a reliable automatic weapon for firefights, but conserve scarce ammunition and use cover around turrets, guards, and bosses. In multiplayer, learn weapon placements and sight lines rather than relying on one favorite gun.