Based on the the LithTech engine comes the Prequel to No One Lives Forever 2, a game of the year, and a title that offered more than just a bog standard FPS..
Sitting comfortably between the first and second title, this game apparently sets the scene for the second (or 3rd?) title.
Gone are the RPG elements, and methodical approach to the game series. Stealth has no place in this game, and nor does upgrading your characters abilities. Actually your character has no abilities than say the typical abilities of your fps character from any fps shooter.
The game has short intense levels of carnage – harking back to the old days of FPS games. The plot and characterisation is rather similar to Max Payne, in so much as the dark brooding figure you play against the malice of an ensemble cast of “people expected to die”.
The difference between the Cate Archer titles and this is immense – the other games in the series are very much deeper in both innovation, plot and characterization. This is a straight forward no brainer FPS. Run into a room, shoot repeatedly and exit the room. That’s it. Oh and occasionally turn a switch.
If you are looking for a game that emulates NOLF series of titles, but with a much darker outlook you’ll be disappointed. If you take this as it is, a no-brains-fps then you’ll enjoy it more.
This is a straight forward no brainer FPS. Run into a room, shoot repeatedly and exit the room
The graphics are pretty good, skins and models are very nicely designed, animation is well done too. The sound and music is appropriate for what they do. Although why the snow mobile sounds like a bloody chainsaw is anyone’s guess.
It’s also a slight (yet noticeable) improvement of the current LithTech engine – the frame rate is smooth, even with up to 12 or 13 enemies on screen at once.
Its a very fun game, don’t get me wrong – but its nothing new. I haven’t finished it just yet – but I have been waiting for a no-brains shooter for a while to be honest. Sometimes the most simple games can be the most fun.
A problem I had with NOLF2 was that although I enjoyed it, there were some serious moments of boredom – which used to make me both suicidal and very angry – this prolly only affected me, but if I continued to play that game for long periods I wanted to kill myself.
Contract Jack ignores any innovations in the last 10 years of FPS games, but keeps the element of fun and carnage intact.
Verdict: Short, Sharp and Fun. Expect nothing more.