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The Game

It's 2003, and I think the LFN game has met the same fate as the LFN novel that never materialized. It's doubtful this product will ever be marketed, but I'm leaving this section up and running, just the same. Meanwhile, try Delta Force, Splinter Cell and Rainbow Six. -- JM (3.4.03)

Infogrames, a worldwide interactive entertainment publisher, announced on February 5, 2001 that it has entered into agreement with Warner Bros. Consumer Products to release La Femme Nikita, featuring "the world's most famous female secret agent," on PC CD-ROM and next-generation video game console systems in the Fall of 2001. The game features unique cooperative gameplay; players can play as either Nikita or Michael, opposed by a global terrorist group in six non-linear missions. Excellent graphics combined with fast-paced action is likely to make La Femme Nikita a popular gaming adventure. Infogrames will support the game's release with a marketing campaign incorporating print, broadcast and online advertising to generate consumer awareness.

Here's the Gamepro.com review of La Femme Nikita:

In this 3D action/adventure game based on the popular USA Network show of the same name, you'll assume the role of female operative Nikita -- a.k.a. Josephine -- as you track a global terrorist group through six nonlinear missions. In La Femme Nikita you can also play as Nikita's fellow operative, Michael Samuelle, or you can play cooperatively -- a much too rare feature in console games -- with one gamer as Nikita and the other playing as Michael. Beside fast-action skills, you'll also need patience and cunning to infiltrate hostile areas in this story-based title. -- Jake the Snake.

And here's an update from GameSpot dated 7.18.01...

First look: La Femme Nikita

Nikita and the other operatives at Section One are coming to the PlayStation 2. See new screenshots from the game. GameSpot has the first screenshots from the Sony PlayStation 2 version of La Femme Nikita. In this fast-paced action game, players can assume control of either Nikita or Section One operative Michael as they track the Red Cell terrorist group through six distinct missions. The game's cooperative mode will let two players compete at once as they attempt to infiltrate enemy strongholds using teamwork, strength, and cunning.

A variety of secondary Section One operatives will aid players in their quest. Madeline, Section One's strategist, will help the player anticipate the enemy's movements and provide hints throughout the game. Walter, the weapons expert, will provide the player with various weapons and combat strategies. Finally, Birkoff, the computer code cracker, helps the player infiltrate Red Cell's inner sanctum. The missions in La Femme Nikita will be set in a variety of real-world locations, including Papua New Guinea, Alaska, and Zanzibar. A wide array of weapons, including high-tech espionage gadgets, will also be available to the player. The game is being developed by Infogrames Lyon's House and will be released this fall for the PlayStation 2. Additional console versions are also in development.

There are two articles on the game in The Archives (2001)

[Latest intel is that the release of the game has been pushed back to sometime in 2002]

Below are more screenshots of the Playstation 2 version...

La Femme Nikita Review

Gavin Frankle, GamerWeb (19 March 2001)

One should never underestimate the power of a license. Take for instance, Infogrames' latest acquisition—La Femme Nikita. Had the company created a generic action title starring some non-descript character, odds are the game wouldn't sell very well.

On the other hand, slap a La Femme Nikita license onto it, add some cleavage and recognizable locations from the show, and voila! You've got a game that will appeal to fans of the show and possibly a few other sucke... er, more discerning consumers as well. Guaranteeing decent sales that will recoup the development costs, if nothing else.

Am I being fair? Nope. Am I being realistic? Yup. Whether we want to believe it or not, license-based games are renowned for being absolutely horrible titles, shovelware created with the sole intent of fleecing consumers of their hard-earned cash. Sure, we've had the occasional title like Goldeneye that bucked the trend, but for the most part, a reasonably popular license slapped onto a generic game concept equals a bad game.

It would of course, be wholly unfair to pass final judgment on a title we've yet to even see, let alone play. So, before the show's fans bombard me with hate mail, gather around and we'll take a closer look at LFM. The storyline follows the exploits of Nikita—a woman falsely accused of an unspeakable crime and sentenced to eternity (life, for us dear mortals) in prison.

Not long after her arrival, she is taken to a secret facility and forced to join Section One—a secret anti-terrorism organization. A technical expert by the name of Michael, acts as her mentor and guide, teaching her the finer points of such forgotten arts as assassination and spying. Yeah, it ain't Oscar-winning stuff, but at least it's not the First Wave license. Ugh.

Fans of the series will be glad to hear that the game is going to stay as true to the series as possible, and not to the movie. Apparently, players will be able to take control of both, Michael and Nikita. It's not known, however, whether or not players will switch characters in between levels, or if they'll play through the entire game with one character at a time.

You can rest assured though, that both operatives will have unique abilities that must be used to progress further into the game. It'll be nice to see a smattering of RPG-like elements akin to Deus Ex added to the mix, but I'm not counting on that, and neither should you.

Missions will range from infiltrating an enemy stronghold to rescuing hostages. Much like the show, gamers will be expected to temper their aggression, choosing instead to use stealth and their wits to stop the terrorist threat.

Oh, did I forget to mention that? You have to stop a terrorist group from... blah, blah, blah. If you've seen a single episode of the show, you'll have the basic idea. Though, even if you haven't, you'll probably still get the gist. You good. Stop bad people. Nothing could be simpler.

Infogrames has yet to even announce what style of game LFM will be, but an educated guess would indicate that the game will be a third-person action adventure title, in the vein of Tomb Raider (with more action, and less lever-pulling).

The game is reportedly being developed for PC, as well as a number of next-generation platforms. A notion that doesn't bode well for the graphical quality of the title, as the game will likely be a port of the PC version, instead of being created with the specific strengths and weaknesses of the PS2 in mind.

Chances are, the game will be nothing revolutionary, borrowing clichéd ideas and concepts from a number of successful titles in the genre. If executed correctly however, PS2 gamers might just be on the receiving end of a game that will appease fans and critics alike, with solid gameplay concepts. Of course, all of this is speculation at this point, and we'll only know for certain in the coming months.