The Operative: No One Lives Forever is a first-person shooter with stealth gameplay and driving elements. As super-spy Cate Archer, agent of UNITY, you must use stealth, gunplay, and an arsenal of spy gadgets to foil the evil plans of H.A.R.M. This game features a groovy 1960s aesthetic that evokes the spy-fi classics of the era.

The Operative: No One Lives Forever (often called NOLF for short) was created by Monolith Productions, makers of the sci-fi shooter Shogo: Mobile Armor Division. Like other spy-themed shooters, such as XIII, it combines action, stealth, and vehicle gameplay. Unlike most other spy games, it features a tongue-in-cheek vein of comedy.

Travel the world and take on the bad guys

NOLF's storyline recalls classic super-spy adventures. In fact, the game was originally designed with a James Bond-like male protagonist before the character was replaced with Cate Archer. As Cate, you travel to exotic locations, protecting VIPs, infiltrating enemy bases, and investigating mysteries. Along the way, you'll learn more about H.A.R.M.'s plan – and the traitor in your ranks.

In addition to the usual weapons found in most first-person shooters, NOLF features some more exotic gadgets. Cate can arm herself with explosive lipsticks, poison-gas perfume bottles, mine-detecting glasses, and similar spy gear. The game's campy, humorous style comes through in the NPC dialogue as well as in the documents found throughout the levels.

A great shooter with a unique theme and style

In a genre full of grim tough guys, The Operative: No One Lives Forever stands out for its colorful graphics and spy-movie style. NOLF isn't just a gimmick game, however: this critically-acclaimed shooter backs up its retro glamor with compelling gameplay. Like any game from 2002, it shows its age in terms of its graphics.