Techtite's Macintosh Game Reviews!

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No One Lives Forever is one of those surprise "ports" from the world of Windows. It really didn't get much hype when first released, and although it won rave reviews, it did so entirely on its merits, not on a snazzy publicity campaign. In other words, this is exactly the sort of game that should be translated for every game system under the sun. Even Playstation-2 got a translation of this game. So why not Macintosh?

The truth is, this is a game concept long since overdue. With how successful the Austin Powers films have been --as well as how popular 1960's nostalgia is-- it's surprising that a game like No One Lives Forever was never considered until now. After all, who doesn't want a game in the spirit of classic James Bond films? ...or Austin Powers films, for that matter? As a game, the concept of a colorful, 1960's view of the world is even more enjoyable. After so many games with "rust" and "shadows" as the main colors, NOLF is the most vibrant-looking game to be released in years.

Your character is Cate Archer, a rookie in the spy business, during the cold-war ridden 1960s. A secret terrorist organization called H.A.R.M. has been killing off U.N.I.T.Y. agents one by one, and you're one of only seven spies left in the unit! Reluctantly, your superiors send you on missions, if only because everyone else is too busy picking up the slack of their now-deceased comrades. In time, you gain the trust of your bosses --and their respect-- and get even harder missions. This is all eventually leading, of course, to a final battle with those behind H.A.R.M. terrorism once and for all.

These missions are all very elaborate, and brilliantly interwoven into the spy-film storyline. You'll be fighting bad guys in snow, water, deserts, jungles, and small villages. Some missions even salute the best moments in the James Bond films. In one mission (a la Moonraker), you find yourself blown out of a plane with no parachute, and must "borrow" one from a nearby enemy paratrooper. In another (a la For Your Eyes Only) you must retrieve items from a sunken vessel during a scuba mission. Further missions are equally excellent salutes to classic James Bond scenes, though I won't spoil the surprises. Even better from a game perspective is how each mission is very long, which means you'll be playing for quite a while.

The place where this game shines is its spy-oriented gadgetry. Your trusty barrette, for example, hides both a lock pick and a poison dagger. Your lighter is soon modified to include a mini blowtorch for tougher locks. Your nifty shades take photos of secret documents. These are just three examples of imaginative gadgets that are introduced at the start of every major mission, with a tutorial from Santa ("Q", so to speak) telling you how to use them. New gadgets at almost every turn means uniqueness at every turn, with new environments to use your new gadgetry in. When not using your spy gadgets, feel free to search for a secret file or two, enhancing the back story to the game.

The story itself is intentionally campy: imagine an Austin Powers comedy, without the overdone potty humor (and thank heaven for that omission!). You might also note some intriguing inside jokes within the game, like the name of the ship you must sneak onto, as well as the humoroud tone ofmany secret files you come across. Similar to other "lifelike" games of recent years, you can even overhear enemy conversations if you're stealthy enough. I particularly liked the henchman whose girlfriend does not understand his need to "work for the forces of evil" to pay the rent. Ha! The documents are just as funny, like the time you're busy looking for a secret base, only to come across a post it note nearby, that asks the personnel to direct their boss' exercise instructor to the nearby secret entrance. Sure, some diehard gamers may not like the spoiler, and yet it's funny...and, you still have to find the door.

This game uses the LithTech game engine, and while that may not mean much to Macintoshers, this is a good thing. Mac owners (thank heaven) were spared the numerous games that were made with this game engine that were pretty horrid (Die Hard Nakatomi Plaza? Anyone...?). However, the reason those games were bad was because the game designers were third-parties, who didn't know about all the intricacies this engine could provide. This game was obviously made by the same folks at Monolith responsible for making this game engine, and they've turned all the bells and whistles on. This is one of those top-notch game engines where cinematic cutscenes are all done within the 3D game engine itself, which allows for some very impressive visuals. From the teasing opening shot of Cate in a steam-filled shower, to the foggy depths of a sunken cargo vessel, this game engine can handle it all, very impressively. As for characters, each moves their lips in sync with their voice, and they even blink and make body movements appropriate to their character.  This is one visually-impressive game.

The best feature of the game, however, is the excellently chosen lead character. All the characters are lifelike, though Cate was clearly given the most consideration to detail, and it shows. While it might've been better to have NOLF be a third-person perspective game --a la the Tomb Raider series-- it still is a pleasure to see each and every cutscene, with such a likeable lead character. When you screw up and get her killed, you actually feel bad. In a game, this is very impressive.

The bottom line is, if there was ever a game I'm glad was ported to the Mac, it's No One Lives Forever. True, this game may not have the alternate ending potential of Deus Ex, though that game is no longer for sale, so it's a moot point. Likewise for the superior, above-grade stealth tactics of Thief 2; that game was never ported, so again: moot point. This game is still one of the best games I played in 2000 --and, for that matter, 2001!-- and was more than worth the experience. Macintoshers, your spy game has arrived.