NOLF2’s audio portions are especially well done and feature some of the best effects in the business. The music fits in well with the campy 60’s theme and would not be much out of place in an Austin Powers flick. Sound effects are pretty clear although a few of them seem to be recycled from last year’s game. That’s not a downer though, because as you probably know,
NOLF had some excellent sound effects. The spoken lines are perhaps the best of the genre. Each of the lines are delivered naturally and are of Hollywood caliber. This is a game where you’ll want to crank up the sound effects, they’re a treat that should not be missed.
Perhaps the weakest aspect of this game is its performance, it’s not immediately noticeable but the further you progress the more steadily your frame rates drop. I had excellent performance at the onset of the title only to see it drop down to the mid teens and low 20’s towards the tail end of my experience. To put into perspective, the game recommends you have a P4 2.0 Ghz with a Geforce 4 or higher to play the game with all the details maxed out. At times the game really chugged and I felt like I was watching a moving slideshow, this is definitely a title that can bring a mid-range computer to its knees. If you’re looking into this game then you should definitely make sure you have the rig to handle it. Then again, this is as good as an excuse to upgrade as any.
As much as I love the missions, sometimes I got the feeling that they just weren’t outlined clearly enough. The game will generally give you a list of objectives, hand you a map and let you go at it. On my first run through the game I spent quite some time trying to figure out exactly how to accomplish the objectives. Sometimes the missions just boil down to running around and right clicking on every piece of the environment in hopes of advancing forward. Sometimes you’ll have to activate a trigger in order to progress in a level and most times, it’s spurned forth by reading a letter or finding a small piece of evidence. At times the hunt for the next plot device really becomes old and irritating. Multiplay is also a bit weak, especially when you consider the competition. It won’t soon be winning any accolades for it’s multiplayer aspects but when you’ve got a single player storyline this good, who needs multiplayer?
What do you get when you purchase
NOLF2? You get an excellent game that just oozes shine and polish. This is perhaps one the most well-designed and well produced games of the last three years, it’s an excellent package that really should not be missed by any fan of the genre. Even if you’re remotely considering picking this one up just do yourself a favor and get it, it’s a decision that you won’t soon find yourself regretting.
Are you stuck? Gaming Nexus recommends Prima Guides' excellent No One Lives Forever 2 strategy guide. With walkthrus of each of the game's levels and tips and stragies, you'll be a superspy in no time!
A-
An excellent title that lives up to expectations, No One Lives Forever 2 is a great game that is hip, beautiful and absolutely brilliant. Game that not only looks and sounds great, but is also fun to play, the bar has been raised for First Person Shooters.
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