Kate Archer: NOLF Protagonist

Background:
NOLF is a James Bond inspired first-person shooter released in 2002, published by Fox Interactive, and developed by Monolith Productions. The gameplay was innovative for its time because it offered optional ways to complete missions, i.e. to go through the mission guns blazing or to sneak through the mission (perhaps making use of the body dissolving powder). Before NOLF, first-person shooters had only one option, i.e. guns blazing. This innovation is partially responsible for NOLF winning a number of "Game of the Year" awards from Computer Games Magazine, Computer Gaming World, PC Gamer, and Gamespy.

NOFL was also innovative in its use of dynamic music (from the 1960s of course) that changed based on the in-game context. For instance, when a group of enemies was approaching, the music would quicken it's pace and become slightly louder. Also, in line with the ability to sneak around the game world, you could listen in on some hilarious interchanges between enemies (e.g. a discussion about how one of their squad-mates was called "Stinks" because he smelled so bad from smoking). On a number of occassions, these ancillary dialogues added to the enjoyment, style, and humor of the game.

Style:
NOLF is a tongue-in-cheek parody of the James Bond films (much like the Austin Powers series starring Michael Myers). Throughout the game, the reference to the Bond universe are explicit, but each reference is couched in a style of humor that makes the game an enjoyable adaptation for Bond fans. Bond villains are made absurdly insane (e.g. by using puppets as TV front-men) and Bond gadgets also make their appearance with an extra dose of silly (e.g. a robotic poodle that emits a pheramone capable of distracting guard dogs).

Plot Overview:
The world is being protected by a British spy organization known as U.N.I.T.Y and faces off against a criminal organization named H.A.R.M. One of the running jokes throughout the game is that no one knows what either of these acronyms stand for. The premire UNITY agent is Kate Archer (who you control throughout the game). We find out that UNITY agents are being assassinated, and Kate is tasked with figuring out who is doing it and why.

Weapons: Shepard Arms P38 9mm pistol Petri .38 Airweight Revolver Braun 9mm Parabellum Hampton Carbine Hampton MPL 9mm SMG AK-47 Assault Rifle Morris Model 14 Speargun Sportsman EX Crossbow Gordon 9mm SMG M79 Grenade Launcher Geldmacher SVD Sniper Rifle Bacalov Corrector Laser Gun Super Atomic Laser Weapon Briefcase

Gadgets: Barrette Lockpick/Poison Dagger Body Removing Powder Camera/Binocular/Mine Detector Sun Glasses Cigarette Lighter / Welder Perfume Bottle Gas Emitter Camera Disabler Explosive Lipstick Belt Buckle Zip Cord Robotic Poodle Code Breaker

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