I think this qualifies as retro - anyway just finished it and all I can say is never has a FPS(tealth) left me with such mixed feelings.
The main problem I had with it is inconsistency. It seemed to me that the AI and the shooting physics seemed to be tweaked not just from level to level but within levels too just to make them work as the designers wanted. The result: often try and die gameplay. Once you learn the level you can usually run through it unscathed in less than a couple of minutes but getting to that stage will have cost you 5+ attempts.
They mixed up stealth (of a difficulty and quality comparable to the much later Splinter Cell), pure exploration of the sometimes exceptionally well designed levels, puzzle tasks, special shooting tasks and more basic run and gun stuff.
Unfortunately whilst they're busy giving you all this variety it's often at the expense of consistency or logic. They even try to provide alternative routes or choices of approach at some points but then are just as likely to make any effort you've put into finding them totally redundant. Those disappointments stack up as the game progresses.
At it's best, and it is more hit than miss, it is up there with Deus Ex whose engine they share. But that game is far superior overall because it is consistent, mostly logical and provides several genuine alternative options at almost every stage.
TO: NOLF is undoubtedly a well above average FPS(tealth) game which deserves to be remembered but I think it's not surprising that the sequel never made it to console and with it the series died.
The main problem I had with it is inconsistency. It seemed to me that the AI and the shooting physics seemed to be tweaked not just from level to level but within levels too just to make them work as the designers wanted. The result: often try and die gameplay. Once you learn the level you can usually run through it unscathed in less than a couple of minutes but getting to that stage will have cost you 5+ attempts.
They mixed up stealth (of a difficulty and quality comparable to the much later Splinter Cell), pure exploration of the sometimes exceptionally well designed levels, puzzle tasks, special shooting tasks and more basic run and gun stuff.
Unfortunately whilst they're busy giving you all this variety it's often at the expense of consistency or logic. They even try to provide alternative routes or choices of approach at some points but then are just as likely to make any effort you've put into finding them totally redundant. Those disappointments stack up as the game progresses.
At it's best, and it is more hit than miss, it is up there with Deus Ex whose engine they share. But that game is far superior overall because it is consistent, mostly logical and provides several genuine alternative options at almost every stage.
TO: NOLF is undoubtedly a well above average FPS(tealth) game which deserves to be remembered but I think it's not surprising that the sequel never made it to console and with it the series died.
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