There is a surprising story behind one of the more colorful FPSs in history. No One Lives Forever’ success was influenced by the „Bond” problem

In 2000, Monolith Productions released The Operative: No One Lives Forever, a vibrant and humorous take on the world of espionage. The game was inspired by classic spy films from the 60s and 70s, as well as titles like Metal Gear Solid and GoldenEye 007. A key choice made by the developers was to feature a female lead character, Cate Archer, putting a fresh face at the center of the action.

Spy emancipation

NOLF is a spy game set in 1967, revealing the troubles of a secret organization called UNITY. They’ve recently lost many key members. Cate Archer, a skilled former thief, joins UNITY hoping to take on important missions and prove her abilities. However, she faces an uphill battle, as the world of espionage doesn’t respect her, and even her bosses doubt her because she’s a woman.

When the terrorist group H.A.R.M. threatens the world, differences need to be set aside. They’ve created a dangerous biological weapon that can turn people into living bombs, posing a completely new and urgent threat to UNITY.

While the story relies heavily on familiar tropes, predictable surprises, and betrayals, it’s more than just a collection of clichés. It’s a carefully constructed and logical narrative that clearly draws inspiration from classic films and television. The story is made more vibrant by its over-the-top, often funny villains. These include characters like Magnus Armstrong, a volatile Scottish demolition expert; Inga Wagner, a terrifying German singer; and Dmitrij Volkov, a Russian assassin sporting a classic eye patch. There’s even a villainous take on the iconic Charlie’s Angels.

I really love Cate’s personality! She’s so quick-witted and doesn’t let anyone get away with sexist comments. She always has a great response ready, and it’s awesome because sometimes I actually get to choose what she says! It feels like we’re working together to shut down the negativity.

Saving the world with humor

What truly sets this game apart is its humor. Without it, Monolith Productions’ title wouldn’t be so memorable. It’s the kind of game where you can create chaotic, funny moments – like running around with exploding barrels, even if it means skipping some great scenes. The world feels surprisingly alive, too, with even ordinary characters chatting amongst themselves about everyday things – complaining about work, shopping for cars, or gossiping about other characters.

A particularly funny moment involves the hotel maid’s reaction to discovering the criminals’ bodies – she simply states she won’t be cleaning the mess. The spy agency’s outdated and often embarrassing slogans are also worth mentioning.

The voice acting is particularly strong, especially for the villains. The in-game documents are also noteworthy. While these documents are meant to provide important information about the game’s world, they mostly contain amusing complaints and personal notes that players will enjoy discovering.

Explosive lipsticks and other gadgets

NOLF is a shooting game, but it often requires strategy and stealth. You have access to many weapons, including pistols, revolvers, machine guns, and sniper rifles. The crossbow and harpoon launcher are particularly effective – they’re quiet but powerful, and it’s satisfying to see enemies pinned to walls! But it’s not just about the weapons; the main character, Cate, has a variety of clever gadgets disguised as everyday items like handbags and accessories. This focus on unique gadgets is a key feature of both this game and its sequel.

Sterling Archer can turn everyday objects into surprisingly dangerous tools. A simple hairpin becomes a lockpick or a poisoned blade, and even a lighter can be used to burn through locks. Other seemingly harmless items – like a belt buckle that doubles as a grappling hook, high-tech glasses with hidden cameras and detectors, or explosive lipstick – prove surprisingly useful. Alongside these, you’ll find more classic spy tools like codebreakers and various other gadgets. Utilizing these tools isn’t just fun; it adds excitement to the gameplay and often unlocks new ways to progress.

Now, regarding NOLF, it had the potential to be a fantastic immersive sim. The environments are large and offer multiple ways to explore, but the game frequently forces you down a predetermined path. Stealth can be frustrating, as enemies are overly sensitive and easily detect you.

Antagonists with big brains and memorable levels

The game’s artificial intelligence is a strong point, though it isn’t always consistent. Enemies are constantly alert, investigating sounds and checking on their teammates. In combat, they actively search for weaknesses. Often, one enemy will immediately try to raise the alarm. The security system is very responsive – damaging cameras quickly alerts all enemies. Additionally, civilians and guard dogs can also give away your location.

I’m still amazed by how creative the game is with its environments and how those locations affect both the story and how you play. A great example is one mission where you start on a cargo ship, but it quickly goes wrong, leading to the next mission taking place among the ship’s wreckage. The underwater setting introduces completely new enemies, like sharks!

There’s another exciting scene on a plane, complete with an explosion! We’re thrown from the aircraft, firing at opponents while desperately trying to snag a parachute. It’s a blast, and I’m leaving out even more amazing moments!

Audiovisuals

The game was made with the Lithtech 2.5 engine, which allowed the developers in 2000 to create characters with a distinctive, soft, and colorful style reminiscent of the late 1960s. While the physics-based ragdoll effect might seem a little awkward now, it still adds to the humor of enemies tumbling down stairs.

Guy Whitmore’s music is a real highlight – it’s energetic, has a touch of the James Bond style, and fits the on-screen action perfectly. While the game does show its age, particularly in the graphics and somewhat rigid character movements during cutscenes, the overall audio and visual presentation is still impressive.

The unforgettable Cate Archer

The original NOLF game was a critical success, earning Game of the Year awards and leading to a sequel, No One Lives Forever 2: A Spy in H.A.R.M.’s Way. The sequel built on the first game’s success by adding features like character progression. However, the spin-off Contract J.A.C.K. wasn’t as well-received, as it moved away from the core identity of the series and focused more on action. Afterward, Monolith Productions began developing horror games such as F.E.A.R. and Condemned: Criminal Origins, and later the Middle-earth: Shadow of… series, before ultimately closing its doors in 2025.

Despite the initial closure, the future of the series wasn’t entirely lost, as Nightdive Studios had expressed interest in bringing it back. This team, famous for updating classic games like The Thing and System Shock, ran into a complicated licensing issue. When the original developer, Monolith, was acquired by Warner Bros., the publisher, Fox Interactive, still retained some rights. Fox Interactive then changed ownership multiple times, going from 20th Century Fox to Vivendi Universal Games and eventually becoming part of Activision. Currently, it’s unclear who actually owns the rights to NOLF, and there doesn’t seem to be any rush to figure it out. Simply having digitized the original contracts could have prevented this whole situation.

How to play The Operative: No One Lives Forever today?

Cate Archer’s first game came out on PC in 2000 and PlayStation 2 in 2002, and those physical copies are still the only official way to play it. The two versions are surprisingly different. The PlayStation 2 version doesn’t have multiplayer, but it does include three extra missions that show Cate’s past as a thief. The music was also changed – Whitmore’s soundtrack was replaced with one by Rebecca Kneubuhl – and the game no longer lets you save whenever you want. Instead, you have to replay an entire section if you fail.

You can currently buy the PC version of NOLF for about $30 to $40, but the PlayStation 2 version is much cheaper, starting at only $5. Despite the game not being available for digital download, dedicated fans are keeping the series alive. As part of the No One Lives Forever Revival Project, they’ve released updated versions of both No One Lives Forever games, plus the spin-off Contract J.A.C.K., all available for free. Someone really should address this from a legal standpoint, but the problem stems from unclear ownership rights.

An FPS still worth attention

Even now, people are still arguing about which NOLF game is better – and it’s tough to pick a favorite! The first one was so unique and fun, especially compared to more serious shooters like Soldier of Fortune or Project IGI. It was just so vibrant and over-the-top. The sequel built on that really well, with improved graphics, some cool new gameplay stuff, and all the awesome spy gadgets the series is known for. Honestly, if you haven’t played NOLF yet, you really should check out both games – they’re a blast. You can safely skip the spin-off, though.

2025-12-08 12:34