No One Lives Forever

Ms. Archer--"exceedingly competent, fiercely intelligent, and stunningly attractive"--is an operative for UNITY, a counterterrorist organization made up of stuffy British guys who wittily mock your qualifications during briefings. Given that the game takes place in the late '60s, you, as Agent Archer, have to endure your share of snarky, sexist putdowns from your UNITY colleagues, particularly in the early going, as you're an untested operative working difficult missions usually reserved for veteran professionals.

The levels are much slower-paced than in usual first-person shooters (though equally enjoyable), as you depend on your silencer and soft-treading (but stylish) shoes in outwitting your foes. The stealthier you are, the more likely you'll progress to the next level (although nothing beats a good bull rush on occasion). Fortunately, all this creeping past security cameras gives you ample time to eavesdrop on the entertaining conversations of guards and bystanders--one of the highlights of the game. The cutscenes aren't quite as good--some are extremely dry and long, and the graphics are somewhat uninspired--but the music is ideal, striking the perfect balance between spy-movie intense and airily cliched. And like all good spies, Archer has plenty of gadgetry at her disposal, such as a lock-pick barrette, lipstick explosives, and, later, a robotic poodle.

The game's biggest shortfalls are its poorly designed save system, average graphic detail (this is a next-gen console, after all), and jumpy camera. Players can only save the game between levels, meaning you'll likely have to replay certain levels several times to reach the next save point. If the levels were more dynamic (i.e., the dialogue was different each time through), this wouldn't be a big deal, but the game's script and voice acting are only fun the first couple of times. By the 10th run-through, they're beyond stale. The graphics are solid, but compared to some of the other games currently on the market for PS2, they're nothing special. In addition, the camera suffers from some instability--if you back into a wall while avoiding gunfire, the camera often spins you around to face the wall, making you an easy target for sharpshooting guards.

However, it's still a clever title with a great plot. If compelling gameplay is your thing, No One Lives Forever is a solid addition to the first-person-shooter library, especially for fans looking for an alternative to intense action games. If you'd rather have a game that takes advantage of the processing power of PS2, however, keep looking. --Rivers Janssen

Pros:

• Never takes itself too seriously
• Stealthy gameplay puts the "secret" in secret agent
• Music fits the atmosphere perfectly
• Clever level design

• Graphics are only average
• Frustrating save system
• Jumpy camera isn't always reliable

Spy gadgets include a rocket-launching briefcase, a robotic poodle, infrared goggles, exploding lipstick, and lethal acid perfume. Smart enemies move and react with striking realism. Watch them seek cover, respond to suspicious sounds, and launch coordinated attacks. The PlayStation2 version of this popular PC game introduces four new levels featuring Cate in her younger days as a thief.