A Spy in H.A.R.M.'s Way is a truly funny action title that should not be missed.
You play as covert agent Cate Archer, a member of the clandestine organization U.N.I.T.Y., whose mission is to save the world from certain doom at the hands of the megalomaniacal H.A.R.M.. This consortium of villains is bent on killing Cate after she foiled their plans for world domination in the first game. The enemies in the game are over-the-top caricatures of Bond-film bad guys and include a female ninja assassin, her effeminate evil-genius boss (who has mother issues), an ex-KGB hitman in a wheelchair, and a French crime boss who commands a horde of mimes.
Your adventure begins in Tokyo where Cate is attempting to infiltrate a ninja dojo to drop some eaves on a meeting between the H.A.R.M. higher-ups. From there you will travel to exotic locations like the frozen wastelands of Siberia, beautiful Akron, Ohio, the streets of Calcutta, a remote research station in Antarctica, an underwater fortress, and more.
The first chapter in Japan is a very well-made series of levels that introduces you to the importance of stealth and the use of silent weapons. The next chapter takes place in Russia, where Cate battles the Soviet military as you try to uncover information about the shadowy Project: Omega. Although these Russian levels are fun and challenging, this section is really the low point of the game, with lots of gun battles taking up most of your time.
After Russia, NOLF2 really begins to shine. The sneaking objectives in Calcutta and the sword fights with female ninjas in Akron (during a tornado!) are some of the funnest levels in a first person shooter to date. Monolith even included a brilliant level that recreates the setting and creepy mood of John Carpenter's 1982 sci-fi classic "The Thing." And if you don't enjoy a chase scene involving a unicycle-riding French mime, and Cate on the back of a tricycle driven by her Scottish co-spy, there's just something wrong with you.
The depth of the gameplay in NOLF2 is above and beyond most games of the genre. Cate will have to sneak past guards, unscrew lightbulbs, search through desk drawers for secret documents, and much more. In fact, the game is often better compared to a Metal Gear Solid type game rather than any other first person shooter. Also, some RPG-inspired elements will allow you to increase Cate's proficiency in different skills (aiming, lockpicking, reloading weapons, etc...) by allocating skill points earned throughout the missions.
The graphics of NOLF2 are simply stunning. The characters are incredibly detailed and life-like, while the environments have wonderfully rich colors and are full of texture. The Jupiter engine created by Monolith was truly great for its time and provided some of the best-looking renderings of water in a game to date. Going back and playing NOLF2 today leaves me feeling that the engine has aged very well. In fact, Jupiter's facial animation system has only recently been outdone by Valve's incredible Source technology.
The sound effects and voice-acting in NOLF2 are both top-rate, and the musical score is superb. Some of the best moments in the game are snippets of conversations you will overhear between H.A.R.M. minions, as you sneak past undetected. The writing in the game, as a whole, is absolutely brilliant. Practically every single joke is actually funny, with only a few causing me to shake my head at the over-baked gags.
Since its around 2 years old, NOLF2 can be purchased new from online stores for as little as $10, and for even less used. At this price point, it is practically a crime not to own this game. If you enjoy a great action title, and also could use a good laugh, look no further than No One Lives Forever 2: A Spy in H.A.R.M.'s Way.