Introduction
The Operative: No One Lives Forever is an funky 60's spy first person shooter with stealth elements that actually work! Released way back in 2000, it's a rare FPS that has actually aged pretty well although it took a bit of work to get it running on Windows 10. This was made back in those wild days before we had HD and widescreen. This game absolutely oozes charm. It's got a ton of incidental dialogue and I'll pick up as much as possible. I'm not actually super familiar with the game but I still think it's wonderful enough to see again. I might also dig into the sequel after this but that's a ways off yet!
There's actually not too much to know about the story that isn't explained within the game. We play as Cate Archer, the first female agent at Unity HQ, a clandestine world peacekeeping force. Of course sexism is in full force as she's yet to have any real operations in the field. But who knows! That could be changing soon. Very soon!
Videos
The Assignment
Scene 1/Polsy
Misfortune In Morocco
Scene 1/Polsy
Scene 2/Polsy (issues on Chrome at 25:34, skip past it)
Scene 3/Polsy
Requiem For A Spy
Scene 1/Polsy
Berlin By Night
Scene 1/Polsy
Scene 2/Polsy
Scene 3/Polsy
Unexpected Turbulence
Scene 1/2/Polsy
Care To Explain?
Scene 1/Polsy
Rendezvous In Hamburg
Scene 1/Polsy
Scene 2/Polsy
A Tenuous Lead
Scene 1/Polsy
Scene 2/Polsy
Scene 3/Polsy
Scene 4/Polsy
Scene 5/Polsy (issues on Chrome at 5:53, skip past it)
The Dive
Scene 1/2/Polsy
Scene 3/Polsy
If Our Demands Are Not Met
Scene 1/Polsy
A Man Of Influence
Scene 1/Polsy
Scene 2/Polsy
Scene 3/Polsy
Further Investigation Required
Scene 1/Polsy
Safecracker
Scene 1/Polsy
Scene 2/Polsy
Scene 3/Polsy
Scene 4/Polsy
Scene 5/Polsy
Scene 6/Polsy
An Ounce Of Hope, A Pound Of Despair
Scene 1/Polsy
Rescue Attempt
Scene 1/Polsy
Scene 2/Polsy
Scene 3/Polsy
A Stern Warning
Scene 1/Polsy
Trouble In The Tropics
Scene 1/Polsy
Scene 2/Polsy
Scene 3/Polsy
Low Earth Orbit
Scene 1/Polsy
Good Luck And God Speed
Scene 1/Polsy
Alpine Intrigue
Scene 1/Polsy
Scene 2/Polsy
Scene 3/Polsy
Scene 4/Polsy
The Indomitable Cate Archer
Scene 1/Polsy
Scene 2/Polsy
Scene 3/Polsy
Scene 4/Polsy
A Very Large Explosion
Scene 1/Polsy
Scene 2/Polsy
Such Is The Nature Of Revenge
Scene 1/Polsy
Bonus!
Agent Cate Snarker
In The Lounge: Bonus Music and Remixes
A Man Of Wealth, No Taste
Mission Briefings
Dramatis Personae
Cate Archer
Fearless, flawless, and always fashionable. Our heroine, and the first female field agent in UNITY. A noble-born daughter of Scotland, she was orphaned at the age of 12 and grew up making a living on the streets where she was known under the alias "The Fox". Recruited into UNITY by Bruno Lawrie, whose wallet she unsuccessfully tried to lift. Since being recruited into UNITY she's had no luck in getting what she thinks of as "real work", but due to personnel issues that could change!
Bruno Lawrie
Code name Galahad, Bruno is one of UNITY's finest operatives. A little long in the tooth, he is nonetheless a highly effective operative. Responsible for bringing Cate into the fold, he still serves as a mentor and a source of support.
Mr. Jones
The chairman of The Committee, and the head of UNITY's clandestine operations. Mr. Jones is responsible for directing the operations UNITY undertakes and believes in Cate's performance. More supportive than Mr. Smith, he still does not tolerate incompetence and failure. Probably expected from the sort of business UNITY is in.
Mr. Smith
Deputy Chairman of The Committee. Desperately unlikable. Mr. Smith is an old hand, and retired from active field duty into an administrative job when his time came. He believes Bruno's time is far past, and also believes that Cate's time has not and will never come.
Dimitrij Volkov
A Russian spy, Volkov is notable for his ruthless efficiency and his calling card. Likely holds a grudge against Bruno Lawrie, who is responsible for Volkov's need for an eyepatch. Rumor has it Volkov is now the Director of Operations for HARM. But just what does HARM stand for?
Otto Schenker
Dr. Schenker is the head of the biological explosives department in Eastern Germany. Sounds intimidating! But certainly this won't have any effect on future efforts by UNITY to protect the free world.
Magnus Armstrong
Magnus Armstrong is a true blooded Scotsman with a heart of...well, not gold. But he's more into fair fights than he is into this whole wanton destruction thing. He has a grudging respect for Cate Archer due to her nationality and her damned perseverance. It's not every day you see someone skydive without a parachute and live.
Tom Goodman
Codename Bold Eagle (go figure), Tom Goodman is a welcome addition to the active agent roster. Thought killed in action during a mission in Amsterdam, it seems as though he was able to affect a daring escape. If he can stay that resourceful he'll surely be quite a boon in missions to come. It's just a shame about those shirts.
Inge Wagner
A horrifying operetta. Supposedly a relation of Richard Wagner, Inge has absolutely no vocal talent. Well, that's not being fair. She can shatter glass and cause physical pain to her listeners. But it doesn't sound good, if that's your question. No one seems to be willing to tell her so, however.
Baron Dumas
The head of Dumas Industries, spectacularly wealthy, and an unrivaled huntsman. If appearances are to be believed! Currently under investigation by UNITY for potential associations with HARM.
Baroness Dumas
The wife of Baron Dumas. Seems to have expensive tastes and shopping habits. Does not appreciate being called Chipmunk.