With the continuing trend of remasters, remakes and reimaginings that is going strong throughout the gaming world, fans are hoping to see some forgotten game find rejuvenation through an updated release. Companies like Nightdive Studios and Bluepoint Games have become beloved for sticking almost exclusively to resurrecting old favorites, with Nightdive bringing back titles like DOOM 64 and System Shock, and Bluepoint receiving praise for updating Shadow of the Colossus and Demon's Souls.
However, there's a long list of games that fans want to see get another shot, and the power of the internet can even bring back games that were lost to time. One franchise fans have been patiently waiting for despite the odds of a revival being slim to none is The Operative: No One Lives Forever. This is a hilarious and original take on James Bond that was originally released in 2000 by Monolith Productions.
The game was followed by No One Lives Forever 2: A Spy In H.A.R.M.'s Way two years later. This sequel was the full realization for the No One Lives Forever series, and its production value, style and humor makes this classic a great candidate for a complete contemporary overhaul.
In No One Lives Forever 2, globe-trotting superspy Cate Archer makes her triumphant return, once again taking on evil organization H.A.R.M. as a member of the secret organization U.N.I.T.Y. Cate is sent on a mission to save the world once again as a dispute over the strategic fictional island of Khios causes tensions to rise between the United States and the Soviet Union. Cate has to use her sharp wit and gadgets, along with her ample combat skills, to take down H.A.R.M. in an adventure that takes place in exotic locales like a secret ninja village, a secret submarine base and (the most exotic locale of all) a trailer park in Ohio during a tornado.
Herein lies one of the main reasons why No One Lives Forever 2 deserves a remake: the humor. The swinging '60s spy Cate Archer may be a cool-as-ice James Bond type, but she is surrounded by hilarity. The sequel is filled with stereotypical Bond villains, idiotic henchmen and cigar-chomping Army generals who all have great moments. Cate can even eavesdrop on various henchmen and enemies, and moments like one henchman consoling his buddy because he feels like his laugh isn't evil enough are always good for a laugh. Humor is hard to pull off in video games, but No One Lives Forever 2 and the original pull it off in spades. A remake with remastered audio would ensure that the game's wealth of humor doesn't get lost to time.
Along with its lighthearted tone and a heap of '60s style, No One Lives Forever 2 is, at its heart, a serviceable shooter. It allows players to make a binary choice for each level, with players choosing to take a stealthy approach or go in guns blazing, with the latter often being the better option. Cate can wield her AK-47, Thompson submachine gun and trusty Beretta pistol, along with a heap of cool gadgets including a make-up compact that is a door hacking device, a hairspray can welding torch and even a mechanical kitten grenade that rushes at enemies and explodes. A remake that tightens up the shooting mechanics and modernizes the feel of the combat like the upcoming Shadowman remaster could bring this classic game into the modern era.
Furthermore, the game's stealth system could be completely reworked in a remake, as NOLF2's stealth mechanics were passable at best and frustratingly unintuitive at worst. Cate could hide in the shadows by standing still in a dark place, but this was a rather obtuse system, coupled with enemies who would often see the player with little to no warning or indication. On top of this, Cate's tactics and equipment were limited, further making stealth less fun to play. Since the game was designed to be a choice between stealth and action, the lack of compelling stealth mechanics hinder the game in a way that a remake could fix.
No One Lives Forever 2: A Spy In H.A.R.M.'s Way is more than deserving of a remake that brings back this stylish shooter and updates its audio and controls for a modern audience. It would be a wonderful gift to fans of the world and its characters, and it could also introduce a new generation to the hilarious world of Cate Archer and her superspy exploits. To this day, there's nothing like NOLF2, and until IO Interactive's James Bond game sees the light of day, there seemingly won't be.
Sadly though, the series is in licensing limbo, with Warner Brothers and aforementioned remaster experts Nightdive Studios in a battle over the rights to this amazing series. Until these parties figure out who actually owns No One Lives Forever, the series seems doomed to remain stagnant. However, in this day of unexpected remakes and remasters, fans should never say never. Other somewhat forgotten titles like MediEvil and Voodoo Vince have received remakes, so hopefully one day soon, Cate Archer will take on the evil forces of H.A.R.M. once more, giving a new generation the chance to enjoy a hilarious romp in Cold War espionage.
0 Comments