ZylonBane on 28/3/2011 at 19:39
Yeah, NOLF2 was terrible in about a dozen different ways. Okay perhaps actually only six different ways, but that sixth reason just kept respawning.
Nothing like an army of behemoth cyborg supersoldiers that can be wiped out single-handedly by one petite superspy to leave you scratching your head.
Jason Moyer on 28/3/2011 at 19:58
A lot of the problems with NOLF 2 also related less to things that were bad about it and more with great ideas that weren't carried over from NOLF 1. For instance, the cut-scene conversations where you'd get intelligence data for being professional were oftentimes hilarious (and of course there's an entire mission that's a dialog/cutscene with an easily achievable fail state). I also like that the first NOLF managed to succeed with multi-faceted gameplay (stealth, guns blazing, gadgets, etc) without requiring the RPG-ish thing they squeezed into NOLF2 which tended to make a lot of those game elements seem, er...gamier.
I tend to disagree with ZB on the plausibility of the plot, though. I thought the second game actually lacked a lot of the silliness that made the first game great (and which was mostly abandoned in the terrible NOLF2 prequel).
ZylonBane on 28/3/2011 at 20:06
The first game's plot was Police Squad silly. The second game's plot was Epic Movie silly.
Jason Moyer on 28/3/2011 at 20:16
Yeah I can see that. The first game was a ZAZ film, the second one was the Wayan brothers doing a ZAZ film.
Dresden on 28/3/2011 at 20:19
I actually prefer NOLF2 over the original. I found the story a lot more entertaining and the levels better designed, except for the previously mentioned Russian base. After that, the respawns aren't ever nearly as bad or fast. The humor was also present a lot more. Say what you want about the Russian levels, but all of the notes strewn about were fantastic.
Jason Moyer on 28/3/2011 at 20:25
I dunno, I liked the intelligence data more in the first one. It had the funny notes, but it also had other funny things you could find (and browse outside the game).
Speaking of the NOLF intelligence data; do those bonuses you get do anything? I've looked through guides for the game before and never really found any information about them.
Scott Weiland on 28/3/2011 at 21:09
I love NOLF 1. I don't like NOLF 2. NOLF 1 game of the year edition has an extra mission, yie yie y-yie.
Yakoob on 28/3/2011 at 21:17
Hey has anyone mentioned Serious Sam yet? Great FPs.
hi dethtoll :D
steo on 28/3/2011 at 21:27
NOLF1 bonuses gave you stuff like 10% more health or armour or something along those lines. Possibly also more accuracy and damage as well...
pdenton on 29/3/2011 at 04:04
I have to second SWAT 4. It is a masterpiece...there were certain missions that reached System Shock 2 levels of tense.
Yeah, Call of Cthulu was frustrating (I personally didn't have a lot of trouble with the on rails sequence but I've struggled during many other parts of the game). I kept playing just for the immersion level. I loved that your character reacted to things like seeing dead bodies and looking down from really high up and getting vertigo. But yes, I definitely cede it is a flawed game. If you like Lovecraft you kinda have to give it a try though...
I'm playing Crysis 2, and I know that the first one didn't interest you, but I'm thoroughly enjoying myself. The story is mostly rubbish, but the game looks gorgeous, controls smoothly, and has more "epic moments" than all the Call of Dutys combined. Granted, I'm from NYC so the appeal of seeing our landmarks destroyed (having a last stand in a mostly accurate Grand Central Station was particularly exhilarating) adds a lot for the experience. Also the soundtrack makes you feel like you're PLAYING a Michael Bay movie. WATCHING one is a miserable time, but playing one is stupendous fun.
Also, have you tried Hidden and Dangerous? The second one is, in my book, a classic. I know WWII wasn't on your list but these types of missions aren't all the staple you've come to expect from the WWII shooter genre. Highlights include sneaking into a German island fortress a la The Rock (okay, Bay made ONE good movie) and assaulting a Nazi train that's been cut off in a tunnel via demolitions. :thumb: The first game was one of the very first games I ever played on my PC. I think you can get (legally) for free but it's really buggy so I can't really recommend it.
