Mission 2: Severnaya
Part i: Surface
Surface
Objectives
- Power down communications dish (A / SA / 00A)
- Obtain safe key (SA / 00A)
- Steal building plans (SA / 00A)
- Enter base via ventilation tower (A / SA / 00A)
Background
A spy satellite has detected increased levels of activity at an old observatory complex near Severnaya (62.08n, 102.58e) in Russia. Other sources have confirmed the shipment of a large amount of computer hardware to that location, and an influx of skilled personnel.
M
It might be coincidence that there is a new head of the Soviet Space Weapons Division, your old friend General Ourumov, or it might not. Penetrate the base and find out what is going on. Building plans for the underground section would be ideal. They're unlikely to be just lying around so look for a safe - there's bound to be someone you can borrow a key from.
Q
I've looked over the recon photographs and I advise you to stay clear of the main bunker entrance by the helipad. However, there seems to be a ventilation tower nearby which would make an excellent spot for a covert entry. You ought to power down the comms dish too, no point in letting them tell the whole of Russia you've dropped in.
Moneypenny
It's cold in Siberia, James. Make sure you wrap up warm and take care to protect your extremities.
Contents
Watch Name
S E V E R N A Y A
Watch Time
8 Hours 30 Minutes
Location Text
Severnaya Installation, Siberian Plateau
Date Text
Nine years ago
Bond Outfit/Cuff
Silver Parka
Starting Inventory
Starting Ammo
- 9mm: 100
Level Weapons
Level Characters
Time Target
3:30 on Secret Agent
Time Target Unlock
2x Grenade Launcher
Setup File
UsetupsevxZ.set
Description
Surface is the fourth level of GoldenEye 007 and the first level of the second mission. It is often referred to as "Surface 1" to distinguish it from the later level with the same name. It takes place in the waning days of the Soviet Union. Bond is sent to investigate a possible space weapons project being developed in a bunker at the site. In order to reach that bunker, Bond must traverse the snowy ground above and accomplish a few objectives along the way.
Surface is the most spatially open level in GoldenEye — a vast expanse of tundra dotted with buildings and crisscrossed by sunken paths. The installation encompasses an enormous communications dish, an observatory, a helipad, a cooling tower for the bunker, sniping platforms, and eight cabins grouped in pairs. The primary entrance to the bunker is located by the helipad, but for this mission the player is instructed to infiltrate through the cooling tower. The level's overall dimensions are about 316 x 342 meters.
Opposition in this level is relatively light compared to the previous Arkangelsk mission. The main threats are the infinitely spawning guards, some of whom are armed with Sniper Rifles. Exactly when those guards begin to spawn depends on the difficulty level and this is examined in more detail in the Action Blocks section.
GoldenEye's developers used the impressive miniature set of Severnaya created for the GoldenEye movie as reference. In the picture below the lead artist for GoldenEye's miniatures, Derek Meddings (1931-1995), puts the final touches on the model.
Intro Cameras
Armors
There are no armors on Surface 1.
Level Tour
Surface begins in a large clearing and a sunken path leads the way forward. It's probably just me, but I think the pink clouds and periwinkle fog give this level a pleasant, even inviting feel.
▶ TIP: You begin this level with a Silenced PP7 equipped, but be aware that there is a Sniper Rifle in your inventory as well.
The path takes you to these two sniping platforms. You can make use of them if you wish, but they don't provide any huge advantage.
A bit beyond the previous screenshot is the first pair of cabins. The one on the left is locked. The next screenshot has a closer look at the one on the right.
You can eliminate these Siberian Special Forces with headshots, or put five rounds into an oil drum to blow it up and kill the guards, or just keep your distance and ignore them entirely.
This is the interior of the cabin those two enemies guard.
▶ TIP: There are two crates of ammo for the Grenade Launcher in the back. The amount of ammo you get from each crate depends on the difficulty. On Agent it's 12 per crate. On Secret Agent it's 9 per crate. On 00 Agent it's 6 per crate.
This is the second pair of cabins. The one on the left is completely empty. The one on the right is quite important.
When you enter the cabin on the right in the previous screenshot you will find a Russian Commandant. This officer has the key to the locked cabin from earlier.
▶ TIP:Don't miss the Grenade Launcher sitting on a crate in here.
Once you access the formerly locked cabin you will find this desk with the Safe Key. Collect it to complete Objective B.
The nearby observatory has no purpose on any difficulty. I still think it's neat though.
View of the observatory's interior.
Looking out from the top of the observatory.
Approaching the dominant feature of the level, the communications dish.
Five Siberian Special Forces patrol the sunken paths in Surface 1.
Before visiting the communications dish let's investigate the other cabins. This pair is nestled in its own little fenced in compound.
This is the interior of the darker colored cabin.
The other cabin houses the safe containing the Building Plans for the bunker. Open the safe and collect the plans to complete Objective C.
The final pair of cabins lies at the end of the path.
▶ TIP:Watch out for the CCTV camera mounted on the right cabin.
The left cabin contains some crates and jerry cans.
The other cabin has a couple bookshelves, desks, and an eclectic assortment of props.
Looking at the communications building from the front.
The communications building has machinery, stairs, catwalks, and an important console on the second level.
On the second level you will find the dish's control console. Press B to shut it down and complete Objective A.
▶ TIP:Do not destroy the console, even after turning it off, or you will activate the backup power and fail the mission.
The top of the communications building is accessible and offers fantastic views of most of the level.
Standing beneath the enormous dish.
After exiting the communications dish building there are just a couple more points of interest. One is this helipad just outside the bunker.
The bunker's entrance is adjacent to the helipad.
▶ TIP:Do not attempt to open this door or you will set off an alarm.
This ventilation tower marks your final destination. Climb the ladder to find the bunker's access point.
Destroy all four padlocks on the hatch to make it fall away. Drop down the shaft to complete Objective D and exit the level.
Curiosities
1.
*Info here*
Trivia
- The Background section of Surface 1's briefing is the same as Bunker 1's briefing. This is the only instance in the game where two levels share that text.
