The Operative: No One Lives Forever

"Bootylicious Action"

First of all, this game was originally intended for the PC. Later it got ported to PS2, so that would explain some the errors in this game....but that doesnt make it a bad game now. So, getting in to game itself:

Graphics: 8
The graphics in this game are cool. Not awesome, not bad. Just cool. It doesnt have the mind-boggling graphical show of the FF's series but it maintains a solid framerate, and the designs are very nicely made. It has that 60 flavour, which gives it a very unique look...imagine if Austin Powers was made into a game and you'll be getting the idea.

Story: 9
Thet story is the heart of this game, which usually isnt the case with FPS's. You are set in the set in the shoes agent Cate Archer, a former thief currently working as a James Bond'esque spy.

Your job is to stop a group called H.A.R.M. (very subtle, if I say so) from world domination, but through the course of stopping them, you'll also experience flashback scenes of how Cate came to be an agent....also some levels where you pursue her career as a former thief. Its a very good job of creating interest for Cate background. The atmosphere in each level is also pretty fantastic, as each locale is littered with little details which bring out the greatness.
The whole thing is weaved through very professionally, and you really get to see many underlying themes.

Gameplay: 7
This is the low point of this game, as even though being a spy is all groovy, its not so fun when you cant get it to work.

The button layout is pretty normal for FPS's, but there is the extra features of spy gadgets which is creates the extra fazazz. (like bodies-be-gone solutions and exploding lipsticks). But I was disappointed in the gadgetry part because the creators dont use the full potential of the gadgets, and some of them are quite broke. Like coins that are supposed to distract a guard dont make a noise....its small things, but small things can ruin a perfect experience.

A good thing, though, is the diversity of the game. Some levels would have you sky-diving to catch a parachute, while others will take you on vehicle mission. The controls in these special instances, though do-able, can be very spiffy. Not so fun.

Audio: 8
This part is pretty awesome. The music is tantalising and really sets the mood. And the voices, oh the voices. Cate Archer has a very sassy voice indeed, brilliantly done. And with other characters such as a Scottish man, a German lady and plenty other, the voice actors do a splendid job in accounting for all the accents.

The low point is, as mentioned before, some of the noise effects, which sometimes dont quite match when they have to. This drags down the grade a tad, so thats why it gets an 8.

Final: This game gets a solid 8. A good, fun game. Albeit with a few minor flaws, but nobody's perfect, eh?

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 06/30/06