No One Lives Forever 2

Cate Archer returns to depose of H.A.R.M. once again.

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I’m not sure whether it’s just the time of year, but I’m definitely detecting a growing enthusiasm for all things of the British and Spying variety – it could be because of the 60’s kitsch comedy still being mimicked globally from the Austin Powers movie, it could be in anticipation of the forthcoming Bond parody Johnny English, starring Rowan Atkinson, it might even be, amazingly, a result of the imminent ‘real’ James Bond flick Die Another Day. Though I doubt it. Regardless, the mood is definitely right for the return of tongue-in-cheek Brit Spy Cate Archer, and I’m guessing Sierra have timed the release to perfection.

First things first, lets get the obvious juvenile Cate Archer gags out of the way, yes she is lovely, and yes looks even better the second time around – perhaps even more like Elizabeth Hurley if possible, which of course is no bad thing. Unless your Monolith’s lawyer, of course.

Anyway, the beautiful Miss Archer is indeed back, and the plot is just as Bond-ribbing as before, Archer pitted against the evil H.A.R.M. crime organisation, who are, needless to say, hell bent on taking over the world. They’ve even got an insane caricature of a leader, just the type of unstable fellow to try to capture a small Island with the Soviets to cause nuclear war – you might suggest. Thus begins No One Lives Forever 2, a light-hearted and comic plot that will lead Cate all around the globe, battling all manner of enemies in diverse locations, and utilising a bizarre variety of weapons and vehicles (such as the inevitable Bond-style snowbike, sigh).

The gameplay is of course pretty standard FPS stuff, albeit with a little more freedom in the players court as to whether they approach guns blazing or complete the mission true covert-style using stealth and cunning. Though the real beauty is perhaps in the plot that meshes every together and creates a bizarre and believable world throughout the game’s duration.

One of the best things about the Bond films is of course the globe-trotting variety of places visited, and NOLF2 is no exception leading the player from Kyoto, Japan to Calcutta, India, and from Ohio to Siberia. All of these locations are very well realised too, with some lovely moments of design inspiration, such as the tornado on the Ohio trailer park, as well as some lovely water effects.

However, if one element of an FPS game can truly be called NOLF2’s forte, it simply has to be the superb enemy AI present throughout. Enemies have believable routines they do, moving around offices, writing, etc., and all can be observed in true spy-style, they even have amusing dialogue among themselves. When you’re spotted they won’t behave predictably either, nor in the same fashion each time, some diving behind desks, pulling cartwheels, running away, using obstacles, or throwing themselves on the ground to open fire. Its great stuff.

Whilst multiplayer isn’t the focal-point of this game, I did think it deserved a mention, if only for daring to try something rather different – even if this won’t be competing with Counter-Strike anytime soon. It basically involves an element of team-based action, and even has a story that fits in with it. The multiplayer code is however a little ‘buggy’ at the moment, and rather irritatingly slow, too, so this side of the game still needs a little love and attention from Monolith.

Visually, NOLF2 is a real peach, despite the negative view taken by many on the Lithtech engine in the past, Jupiter is looking damn fine in No One Lives Forever 2, offering some pretty detailed character models, and perhaps most impressively the vast variety and richness of the games colourful environments. At times, the detail and thought that has gone into the design on this front can be masterful.

Of course, no Spy flick would be complete without an appropriately tense and atmospheric sound track, and this game is no different. The impressive scores alter dynamically depending on the level of tension or action on-screen, and it all adds superbly to the atmosphere of the game.

To conclude then, whilst NOLF2 could hardly be described as a revolution, it is certainly a very well thought out product, and thankfully, one that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s action-packed and diverse, with enough humour and plot to keep you gripped throughout.

As smooth and sexy as Cate Archer herself? Very nearly…

90%

By Luke Guttridge