NOLF2 is FPS perfection, retaining the story telling and humor of the original, while improving graphics and gameplay.
The first thing that struck me was how much better the graphics in NOLF2 are, even though it's only two years newer than NOLF. Obviously improvements in computer graphics were exponential in this period as similar improvements are noticed when moving from SOF to SOF2, Alien vs Predator (AVP) to AVP2, and Star Trek Voyager Elite Force to STEF2. Not only are the characters better looking (less angular) but the animations are far improved. None of this is to say that the original NOLF did not look good, NOLF 2 just looks better. One can say that the early 2000s showed a great improvement in FPS gameplay and narrative as exemplified by NOLF and other games cited. What has changed since of course is that FPS games have become far more linear, shorter and with far less emphasis on narrative and character than on ever more spectacular graphics and effects. A bit like recent movies I guess. But, I digress.
The narrative of NOLF2, revolving around the unfolding of Project Omega, a plot by HARM and Soviets to take over the island of Khios, plays out in a variety of exotic locales and even a not so exotic trailer park in Akron Ohio. All that stands in HARM's way is UNITY operative Cate Archer, with occassional help from Magnus Armstrong. The most memorable locales (maps), all of which demonstrate a close attention to detail, are Inotakimura, Calcutta, an underwater base and UNITY headquarters (alas no visit to Santa's lab). Many of the characters from original NOLF reprise their roles, like Bruno, Volkov, Dr Schenker, Armstrong and The Director (previously seen tippling cocktails in NOLF, revealed to be the hen-pecked leader of HARM). NOLF2 introduces Isako, leader of the female ninjas, and Pierre, the Mime King and master assassin.
NOLF2 makes good use of adventure game elements, such that you need to collect items to achieve an end result, for example to disable an engine providing power to an electric fence you need to find sugar in the mess kitchen. This adds to the fun and makes a thorough search of each room/location essential as not only may you find useful items or ammunition or power ups but also gain points for discovering intelligence. Not only do you get to listen in on some interesting discussions between the various HARM guards but there are numerous hilarious mission statements, memos, signs and motivational posters in the various HARM bases.
Gameplay-wise Cate can now pick up and move bodies into hiding places, search bodies, drawers, cupboards and files, and turn off or shoot out lights to enhance stealth. While Cate's stealth capabilities are enhanced, unlike original NOLF, there are no missions that fail simply because Cate has been spotted. In non-lethal missions, such as evading the police in Calcutta, Cate can usually relocate and hide in a dark spot if seen or use a banana to trip up her pursuers. Some missions are more open to stealth play than others and some are decidedly lethal force only. Each scene that comprises a mission has its own rules to achieve the objectives, but generally shooting police or civilians ends in mission failure. You may notice that the run and gun approach, especially in Japan, Calcutta and Siberia, results in continuously respawning HARM goons, even in areas previously cleared, and this suggests that stealth may be a safer approach.
NOLF2 has a good number of memorable missions in the single player campaign. Most missions are multi-part with separate "scenes" comprising one or more objectives. For example the Siberia mission is in fact a series of interlinked missions whereby you exit/enter maps that allow you to progress/infiltrate or backtrack/exfiltrate as required. Players should try and explore each map thoroughly as at times previously half explored areas will be inaccessible when exfiltrating. This means searching bodies, lockers, drawers, files to find items or intelligence when it is safe to do so.
The fifteen (15), mostly long multi-part, missions in NOLF2, centered around HARM's secret Operation Omega, can be summarised as follows (with favourite missions are marked "*"):
Inotakimura, Japan
01 Cate Archer Must Die* - ostensibly a training mission, Cate stealthily infiltrates a gloriously depicted Japanese village guarded by lithe and deadly female ninjas, meets her contact and is given her mission briefing
02 Goodbye Spy* - armed with her silent crossbow Cate sets out to photograph a secret HARM meeting, mission accomplished Cate must elude female ninjas and their leader, Isako ... game intro video and credits follow
Somewhere in Siberia, USSR
03 Project Omega* - Cate is flown to Siberia to gather info about a potential Soviet attack on US ally Khios, deposit pilot in cabin safehouse, infiltrate a number of poorly defended Soviet outposts, plant bombs on bridge, power station and telecommunications tower as prequel to main mission
04 A Spy in HARM's Way* - multipart infiltration mission which divides a large Soviet compound into inner and outer yards, an old records building and a main records building, the aim being to recover evidence about the Soviet plans to attack
Khios
05 Night Fighter - evidence in hand Cate must exfiltrate from the large Soviet base, escape back to cabin to rejoin with pilot on her snowmobile and then fly to safety out of Siberia
Akron, Ohio, USA
06 Diary of a Double Agent - explore Melvin's house finding evidence, female ninjas armed with swords and star knives appear, fighting escape through suburbia, face off with Isako amidst a tornado
Calcutta, India
07 Double Cross* - evade suspicious police at markets, snoop around HARM facility to plant bug, elude police again while removing wanted posters, pass HARM recruiting test by infiltrating rival (Evil Alliance) base in movie theatre and plant bombs
08 The Art of Murder* - Cate, now a HARM recruit, must now recover eyes-only intel from secure vault, escape Thompson-armed mimes, confront Pierre the Mime King in an unique on-the-rails segment: tricycle vs unicycle
Antarctica
09 Ice Station Evil* - Cate and Magnus head of to Antarctica to gather intel, Cate confronts an impregnable HARM Super Soldier ot the type intended for use on Khios
Calcutta, India
10 The Curse of Kali - Cate fights fires in order to rescue the citizens of Calcutta from HARM's Super Soldiers
UNITY HQ
11 The Interlopers* - a pleasant visit to HQ interrupted by Thompson-armed mimes
HARM's Secret Underwater Base, Aegean Sea
12 Undersea* - Cate infiltrates underwater base to rescue Magnus, lots of rooms and levels to explore, (Hint: once on the Command Deck proceed upstairs to the Super Computer Room and use the computer otherwise you will be frustrated trying to work out what you need to do to progress)
13 Terror in the Deep - locate Magnus and escape, BF#1 vs Pierre in whack-a-mole mode (Did I mention I hate boss fights? ), find the escape pods before the underwater base implodes
HARMs Secret Underground Base, Japan
14 End Game* - Cate must escape the Man Handler and advance through an intricate network of tunnels, BF#2 vs Volkov (Now just why is he immune to rockets ... aargh, boss fights!), escape the tunnels for BF#3 vs Isako
Khios, Aegean Sea
15 Preemptive Strike - Cate parachutes into Khios to fight off HARM goons and Super Soldiers (in a series of mini-boss fights), watch the credits through to the surprise ending cut scene, all missions unlocked
As a bonus there are also five enjoyable co-op multiplayer missions that can be played as a single player (use LAN mode), playing as a (male) character of your choice, as follows:
01 The Rescue* - revisit the glorious Inotakimura maps to rescue Cate while taking on those female ninjas yet again
02 The Super Computer - revisit the Soviet base in Siberia to completely destroy the main archives building
03 The Setup* - revisit the claustrophobic backstreets of Calcutta, battle goons, take a compromising photograph
04 Sweep and Clear - revisit the HARM base in Antarctica to rescue Armstrong, battle goons & destroy facility
05 Mime to Kill - revisit Unity HQ, eliminate the remaining mimes & rescue your colleagues being held hostage
These MP missions can be played very much in a run and gun fashion though it is fun to try a stealthier approach in the Siberia and Calcutta missions.
The missions in NOLF2 were both interesting and challenging. As in the original NOLF, the discussions between the various guards provides some humorous cultural insights, be they Russian or Indian, and at times their is a twinge of regret as you send them to their maker. Some missions like Undersea have a number of options in terms of the route you follow to complete the scene: some rooms and level entry/exit ladderways are connected to different areas and you may miss certain areas all together and still complete the scene thus unknowingly missing different challenges and items of intel. So look around well to get those skill enhancing points!
In certain missions, like Undersea, NOLF2 is far from linear offering a number of choices whereas in others certain scenes (only a couple) are on-the-rails like the chase at the end of Mission 8. As noted there are elements of adventure gaming as regards finding items and/or intel that allow you to proceed. Usually the solution if it appears you are stuck in a loop is intuitive, but if all else fails refer to a walkthrough. As in original NOLF it is worthwhile listening to the HARM guards discussions, as while all are humorous, many reveal secrets that will help you progress with the mission.
NOLF2 provides some new weapons and gadgets for Cate to employ on her missions. The CT-180 utility launcher, akin to Sam Fisher's SC20-K albeit non-lethal, allows Cate, among other functions, to disable cameras and tag targets with a tracker. This last is very useful in situations where Cate needs to evade pursuers like the police or Super Soldiers. My favourite weapons included the telescope equipped Vindicator crossbow, the Bacalov shotgun, the AK-47 (especially with phosphorous rounds) and the silenced Gordon (Sten). Many of the weapons come with a variety of ammunition types in addition to the standard full metal jacket, such as poison, tranquilizer, electric charge, incendiary and explosive rounds. There are also a selection of fragmentation, smoke, stun, sleeping gas, acid gas and laughing gas grenades.
Finally, in game terms Cate's success is primarily measured by accomplishing the mission objectives and/or gathering intel. The resulting mission reward points can be used to enhance Cate's capabilities such as stealth, stamina, weapon and gadget skills, and searching ability. So in essence the better Cate performs, the greater her ability to increase her in-game skills. There are five levels of skills and an increasing amount of reward points are required to earn an increase in each skill. Obviously selecting which skills to enhance will be driven by your preferred approach to the game, whether stealthy or guns blazing. When setting up a multiplayer co-op character you have a preset allotment of points that can be used to customise your character with the desired mix of skills.
OVERALL: Sequels to popular gaming titles often disappoint. NOLF2 however outshines the original with improved graphics and gameplay, while retaining the excellent story telling and humor of the original. NOLF2 is a FPS "must have". Together NOLF and NOLF2 are not merely good games ... they are GREAT games. It should be noted, that while technically a sequel, NOLF2 is eminently enjoyable in its own right.