The Operative: No One Lives Forever
Windows - 2000
Description of The Operative: No One Lives Forever
No One Lives Forever is a great FPS with many humorous quirks.
The box describes the plot better than I could: "Assume the role of Cate Archer, a beautiful but deadly Operative working for UNITY - a super secret organization fighting to free the world from the clutches of H.A.R.M."
What seems at first as a dry storyline eventually unfolds into an epic saga. NOLF's ingenuity is evident from the first level. The weapons are unique and original, and the gadgets that you will use in your missions are even more unique. Lipstick explosives, lockpicks and welding tools hidden inside barettes, belt buckle zip-lines and robotic poodles are but a few of the zany gadgets you'll use in NOLF.
Monolith certainly outdid themselves. Their mastery of the licensed LithTech engine is evident; you'll skydive from a burning jetliner, fight feisty sharks and protect a near-deaf world leader from assassination. All of this and more is surrounded by beautiful visuals and particle effects. NOLF also has a fantastic sense of humour. If you're stealthy enough, you can listen in and hear conversations that enemy sentries are saying. They'll talk about their band, all the way to their women :) This is a great addition.
However, some problems plague this game. Repetitive music is one of them. I wasn't around during the '60's, but if this is what their music sounded like, remind me to burn all my father's records :) Also, horribly long load times are also a problem. I can go upstairs, grab a Pepsi, fill it with ice, take the dog for a walk and I'll still be waiting for it to load. I'm exaggerating, but a fast PC will help.
All in all, this is a highly enjoyable first person shooter that was overlooked by the gaming populace. It should be in bargain bins (I got mine for $10) so pick it up and enjoy some campy fun. Two thumbs up!
Review By HOTUD
External links
Captures and Snapshots
Comments and reviews
god 2025-04-10 3 points
INSTALLATION:
I highly recommend getting the Modernizer from: https://haekb.itch.io/nolf-modernizer
http://dege.freeweb.hu/dgVoodoo2/dgVoodoo2/ and download the latest version
Open zip
Extract "dgVoodooCpl.exe" and "dgVoodoo.conf" to where you have your game installed. Ex: C:\GOG Games\No One Lives Forever
Enter the "MS" folder in the zip
Then the "x86" folder
Extract "D3DImm.dll" and "DDraw.dll" to where you have your game installed. Ex: C:\GOG Games\No One Lives Forever
Run "dgVoodooCpl.exe"
Under the "General" tab change the option for "Output API" to be "Direct3D 12 (feature level 11.0)"
Click the "DirectX" tab
I recommend changing the "VRAM" to "4096 MB" and the "Resolution" to one you desire
I also recommend under "Texturing" section to change "Filtering" to "Force anisotropic 16x" and to change "Antialiasing (MSAA)" to "8x"
And under "Miscellanneous" check off "Bilinear blit stretch", "Force vSync", "Fast video memory access", & "Apply Phong shading when possible"
Then click "Apply" and "OK"
Goto https://reshade.me/ and download the latest version
Run the file after the download finishes
Click on "Click here to select a game and manage its ReShade installation"
Either wait and click the game in the auto search or click the bottom right corner button, "Browse...", and search for the game's exe. Ex: lithtech.exe
When prompted with the question, "Which rendering API does lithtech use?", select "Direct3D 10/11/12"
Check mark "Standard effects", "SweetFX by Ceejay.dk", and "qUINT by Marty McFly"
Click "OK"
I highly recommend then clicking on "Edit ReShade settings"
Then checking off on "Skip Tutorial" then "OK"
Close ReShade installer
Download my mod/preset and just extract it where you installed ReShade or where the game's exe is located
In the games launch menu select the "Display..." option
Then choose "LithTech Direct3D Renderer (d3d.ren)" under the "Renderers:" window
Then under "Displays:" choose "dgVoodoo DirectX Wrapper (display)"
Then choose the same resolution you chose in dgVoodooCpl.exe
Then click OK
Then click the "Advanced..." option
Check "Disable DirectX 6 controls" & "Disable joysticks"
Then click OK
Then click Launch
Then ingame select "Options"
Then select "Display"
Then change "Texture depth" to 32
Then go back to the "Options" menu and select "Performance"
Enable "Sound filtering effects"
ENJOI
Buckaroo Banzai 2025-02-11 2 points
Kate Archer ROCKS !!!
For anyone having issues with modernizer go check nexus mod the HD 4K mod which in fact is an in depth installation and configuration of modernizer !!!
In MOD-DB you have some nice stuff as well for this game !
Peace !
SloppyToppy 2024-12-13 -10 points
Installed patches, the modernizer thing, downloaded the apparently "patched and modernized" version of the game yet I STILL have that issue where if I run the game with an aspect ratio that is higher than 648x8XX whatever tf, my mouse locks on the ground and starts spinning. It has been about 8 months since I last tried to Download this mess of a game and there is yet to be a solution or a working patch.
2/10 game, I played it on the Ps2 and it sucked
Awesomesauce 2024-11-17 -4 points
It keeps crashing! I installed the modernizer and it still crashes, It opens for 2 seconds then gives me some bogus error then closes! So not sigma
James Mackey 2024-08-07 0 point
3DSL Version works really well on my pc with windows 11 64bits and Radeom vega 3 in high settings no frame rate issues everyting worked fine and i beat this awesome game.
Lol 2024-05-28 -3 points
Apk fájlban is jó lenne ha lenne, android telefonokra. Imádtam ezt a játékot. 🤩
Milalfam 2024-05-01 11 points
Cate Archer rocks! This game has humor, a great storyline, awesome music, and a cast of weird and funny characters. What more could you want in a silly spy-thriller first-person shooter?
The game ran smoothly with a few patches, so a big thanks to the team for uploading and maintaining the game and its fixes, especially for the music.
The story is surprisingly good with plenty of twists and turns, so I won't spoil any of it. From outer space to deep-sea levels, there's something for every player to enjoy. Overall, it's a fantastic game. I regret waiting so long to play this one.
Larrytits32 2024-04-17 -1 point
People should download the nolfrevival and check the pcgamingwiki for the "modernizer" thought, beware, it can make the game much more challenging.
Sloppy Toppy 2024-04-04 1 point
For the love of god, someone tell me how I fix the mouse. I downloaded the "Fix for innacurate mouse input" thingy but it does not work at all.
I can not look down and if I put my resolution to anything that is higher than 640px x 480px instead of my mouse being locked to the X-Axis, it gets completely sensitive and shoots down to the ground. and everytime I click mouse 2 my camera just jumps around.
I downloaded:
3DSL Version: Full package English version 916 MB
&
Fix for innacurate mouse input English version 74 KB
CTRLsway 2024-02-15 2 points
For anyone that cant figure out how to run this game, its really simple.
1. download the 3DSL Version, make sure you have winRAR/winZIP installed)
2. Unzip the download into a folder of your choice on your computer.
3. Launch the game using the NOLF exe file located in the folder you just downloaded
4. You will be greeted with a screen, just press play or launch whatever it says and it should then ask you about graphics, just choose the medium option.
5. The game should now launch and run with no issues!
My specs are:
CPU:
Intel i7 4790
GPU:
ASUS Aorus GTX 1080Ti 11GB
COOLER:
Corsair H100i v2
MOTHERBOARD:
Gigabyte GA-Z97X-Gaming 3
RAM:
32GB (4x 8GB Corsair Vengeance LP DDR3)
PSU:
EVGA 700W 80 Plus Gold
STORAGE:
500GB WD Blue M.2 SSD
Free Race Freak 2023-12-29 -14 points
Every Highest Rating Shooter back then:
Many Many Stutter and Performance Drops
Please avoid this Crap
Ellerris 2023-03-23 2 points
Does anybody know how to make subtitles bigger? And where I can find Multilingual GUI for version 1.006, cause that one is better tnan 1.004 - already includes all of good mods without bugs.
VGVeteran50 2023-03-03 1 point
If you are having trouble getting this game running, remember there is a PS2 version(PCSX2) Highlight bottom screen option at Main Menu and hold down R3+L3 a lvl select menu will appear PS2 version only.
Ashley 2022-10-19 14 points
It's painful to see games like this being abandoned and forgotten, those who have not played this game don't know what they are missing.....
Devoxer 2022-09-11 8 points
If ever there is a game series deserving of either a remake or reboot, its this one.
Alt Guy 2022-05-13 0 point
If your getting black screen underwater it's because of an Intel Graphics issue but don't worry its very is to fix by using this link:https://haekb.itch.io/nolf-modernizer
Follow the instructions and the game should be up and running smoothly
It fixes a lot of issues and makes the game better in general.
And there is a patch for Nolf 2 if you want it just look in this link: https://haekb.itch.io/nolf2-modernizer. Bye
Dr. Schnellinger 2022-02-28 -2 points
I like the games of this page, but damn, the downloads are so slow. I can download faster from Mega or Mediafire.
Matthew 2022-01-15 1 point
When I go underwater, everything goes black. So the mission "A Tenuous Lead" is where I stop.
Babydoll 2021-11-16 0 point
Files in The "Music CD from GOTY Version.zip" are corrupted. Please Re-Upload the Music CD.
Original game missing missions. 2021-07-30 18 points
Get the full game from here. It is fully patched with wide screen support and works on Windows 10. It is also Game of the year edition which has extra missions that the original doesn't include. You can also get the 2nd game from here.
http://nolfrevival.tk/
Apok 2021-01-20 -1 point
I played without problems until the tricycle mime chase in India. No matter what I do, at the end of the level it won't load the next one and I'm stuck. Which is sad.
orion98 2020-08-16 4 points
Multilingual GUI (7 languages) + mods Widescreen + No-CD + MODERNIZER 1.006 ver.3.1
Read HERE
https://nolfgirl.net/Unityhq/forums/topic/46609-multilingual-gui-7-languages-mods-widescreen-no-cd-modernizer-1006-ver31-solution/
Download HERE
Nolf_PACK_02.zip ( 27 Mb )
https://www.moddb.com/games/no-one-lives-forever/downloads/no-one-lives-forever-nolf-pack-multilingual-gui-widescreen-modernizer
***
NOLF Voice acting: English, French, German, Russian
Read HERE
https://nolfgirl.net/Unityhq/forums/topic/47358-nolf-voice-acting-english-french-german-russian-2-solution/
Download HERE
Nolf_Voice_acting_GUI.zip ( 448 Mb ) MD5: 363525D2AC0B53BD2810AA54C53D3B79
https://mega.nz/file/eKoXyLha#sGWkHwHha9VZfcRx4L_DjlbUo1CN85BUfrB4W-O2csg
GoldenWolfe 2020-07-18 1 point
If you want it to run on modern systems heres an short and easy guide.
First when you download it go to compability and set it to XP service pack 2.
Go to your Driver settings and limit fps to 60 (since engine gets really buggy when it gets on higher framerate than that)
Download dgVoodoo 2 which is software that emulates older grapichs cards and its really easy to use. Heres an quick tutorial how to use it on any game that you want to run on win 10: https://youtu.be/kS8ckTnQB1A
Heres an download link http://dege.freeweb.hu/
And you are pretty much set to go.
Eltra 2019-09-23 3 points
For those wondering how the f**k to install this (and NOLF2, same way applies) here's a step by step on installing this game.
1) Download the files here. I will be using the GOTY edition as that's the one I used and installed.
2) Download this free software called "Alcohol Portable" ( http://www.alcohol-soft.com/alcohol_portable.php) this will help install the game and is VERY IMPORTANT. I will refer this to AP from now on.
3) Extract the game files.
4) Move the files to AP and on NOLF disc 1, right clip and click on "Mount-on Device"
5) go to file explorer and go to This Pc and you will find the icon for NOLF. Click it and it will start the download/installation.
6) Wait till it states that it needs disc 2. Alt+Tab to AP and do the same for NOLF disc 2. Go back to the inhalation page and find where the icon is. (Hard to explain but will make sense what I mean.
7) Wait till finishes. If it tells you to restart your PC, do it.
8) Profit.
Hope you found this guide helpful. GLHF.
ghostkiller 2019-06-09 0 point
awesome game today i will be thankful this person who made this awesome game
Booga 2019-01-28 1 point
THX, great game & regret throwing out the cd's long ago.
i could have made a copy & sold the used cd's these days for the same price new games go for. i regret getting rid of many of my old games
XIII 2018-12-27 0 point
Dear all, I am still waiting any person to tell me how i can install this game.
Data Priest 2017-04-25 0 point
This game was so refreshing when it came out. Colourfull and funny, but still a hardcore shooter.
valiantfan771 2017-04-24 0 point
I have antivirus AVAST and its says that the "NO-CD" fix have "FileRepMetagen" virus.
It is safe to install this fix or is it really infected?
Thanks for respond
Anagnostis79 2017-04-20 2 points
Ok, i just registered, just to comment on this gem. I had finished both this and NOLF2 back in the day and just adored them. Best sense of style ever !!! Thank you so much for this, i am really touched. I have been trying to buy a copy for years and it is just not available anymore !! Thanks guys!
DaviCis 2016-07-20 1 point
I was to young for the game, so glad that I can play it now!
It works on Win10 perfect for me.
(Sometime I get some laggs when I change the gadgets.)
I am just few hours into the game but love it already. Sad that I wasn't able to play it earlier.
Fish 2016-03-29 -2 points
Great game. It's like every James Bond movie rolled into one (or maybe 2, since there's a sequel). I used magicdisc to run it and it works fine
Write a comment
Share your gamer memories, help others to run the game or comment anything you'd like. If you have trouble to run The Operative: No One Lives Forever (Windows), read the abandonware guide first!
Download The Operative: No One Lives Forever
We may have multiple downloads for few games when different versions are available. Also, we try to upload manuals and extra documentation when possible. If you have additional files to contribute or have the game in another language, please contact us!
Windows Version
916 MBGame Extras
Various files to help you run The Operative: No One Lives Forever, apply patches, fixes, maps or miscellaneous utilities.
Similar games
Fellow retro gamers also downloaded these games:
