No One Lives Forever 2: A Spy in H.A.R.M.'s Way

 PC
User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 259 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 224 out of 259
  2. Mixed: 27 out of 259
  3. Negative: 8 out of 259
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  1. bjaz
    Nov 8, 2013
    6
    One of the funniest game ever played...
    But there is too many bugs in gameplay and graphics is too poor
    let's hope there will be NOLF 3 in future with good graphics and gameplay
  2. Aventinus
    Mar 4, 2015
    5
    It baffles me to this day why this game is lauded so immensely , I'm on my second play-through and all I can say is it's a bitter disappointment, especially after the flawlessness of the first one. That one was a charming caper that had all the elements of a 60's spy movie: it had international intrigue, unforgettable characters, and witty humor. Elements that could have rivaled any BondIt baffles me to this day why this game is lauded so immensely , I'm on my second play-through and all I can say is it's a bitter disappointment, especially after the flawlessness of the first one. That one was a charming caper that had all the elements of a 60's spy movie: it had international intrigue, unforgettable characters, and witty humor. Elements that could have rivaled any Bond movie of it's day, albeit with a slightly feminine touch.

    The second iteration just doesn't have the same feel, Cate is virtually unrecognizable and the script is lacking. There is hardly any attempt at the dry-wit comedy of the first one (Remember the criminal convos - especially the self psycho-analysis by one of the henchmen as to why he's a criminal , lol) and it quite literally never picks up...it falls flat on it's face without even 'hitting it's target'. Cate has lost all her charm and 'street smarts', and can hardly put a sentence together. It's like the developers decided to dumb down the character for reasons I can only guess at (maybe to appeal to a younger audience?) and instead of the spy diva that enchanted our CRT monitors , and was just so memorable and engaging, we are instead left with a bimbo with a no nonsense attitude and a desire to get the job done ....a one-trick pony. The same goes for Bruno, Mr.Jones and Armstrong....either the scriptwriters got lazy, or they decided to focus on different aspects of the game....

    The game itself looks great , even to this day, especially with the widescreen patch. Textures are hi res and I'm really surprised at how well it's held up. The level design is somewhat lackluster though, with levels feeling confined and not as open-world as the first iteration. Santa's workshop has been plucked out completely, so you don't get to test the nifty gadgets before embarking on a mission. You also don't get to customize your weapon arsenal before loading a mission , but design choices have always been perplexing to me.

    Lastly, I'll quote another review that kind of hit the nail on the head: No one lives forever "expanded the narrative capacity of the medium, the sequel is just a game". The first script would have given Ian Fleming a run for his money... unfortunately NOLF 2 was a step in the wrong direction, it failed to live up to the high lofty standards set by the first and will forever go down in my personal recollection as one of the worst sequels in the history of PC gaming.    … Expand
  3. AnnChovi
    May 1, 2003
    6
    Well, I hate many games, but this one was okay.
  4. gracjanski
    Dec 3, 2017
    6
    In the first game the missions were very different and funny. In addition I liked the 60s design. Now in the 2nd game such things are gone: the missions are all the same and there is no humour. The game is more focused on action and in my view it lacks variety.
    The story is not so interesting any more, in the 1st game the dialogues were more realistic.
    The graphics is great, even today.    In the first game the missions were very different and funny. In addition I liked the 60s design. Now in the 2nd game such things are gone: the missions are all the same and there is no humour. The game is more focused on action and in my view it lacks variety.
    The story is not so interesting any more, in the 1st game the dialogues were more realistic.
    The graphics is great, even today. If you have problems with the mouse acceleration, install mouse drivers and lower dpi. It is a bug with the engine, that is great beside of that.    … Expand
  5. GP
    Nov 5, 2002
    5
    Graphics and sound are top notch. The loading time is a disgrace, i can feel my life wasting away as I wait for the damn thing to load, the enemies have good AI but they use them so badly, and they respawn. Bottom line: great game that they made annoying
  6. GodenP.
    Nov 5, 2002
    5
    Amazing graphics and sound. The most tedious loading time EVER. The enemies just respawn, got annoying.
  7. JasonM.
    Oct 24, 2002
    5
    Doesn't hold a candle to the original; too short, too tedious, and NO DEATHMATCH OR CTF. What were they thinking?

Awards & Rankings

6
#6 Best PC Game of 2002
19
#19 Most Discussed PC Game of 2002
14
#14 Most Shared PC Game of 2002

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
91

Universal acclaim - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 29
  3. Negative: 0 out of 29
  1. Four Fat Chicks
    75
    If it sounds like NOLF2 is a lot like NOLF, and you're wondering why I'm complaining so bitterly, you have my sympathy. When I say they "gutted" NOLF2, I mean it, and I can back it up.
    Read full review
  2. Eurogamer
    80
    A bloody good game... If you like first person shooters and have a sense of humour, the only other thing to stop you playing this game is the central role of a pink-suited woman. Are you man enough?
    Read full review
  3. GamePro
    90
    Nearly flawless visuals and truly immersive sound make sure you’re having fun even when you’re not shooting.
    Read full review
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