I got No One Lives Forever 2: A Spy in H.A.R.M.s Way for Christmas, and man! I just blasted through that game like I haven't done in a long time. It has all the gameplay of Half-Life (I am *not* exaggerating) and a skill system that is reminescent of Deus Ex, but easier since everything you upgrade is automatically in use (hence, no pressing F6 etc. to use your upgraded skills, they just work).
It's obviously derivative of James Bond and Austin Powers, but to great effect. The settings are just delicious. There's a boss fight in a trailer park during a tornado! There's a sneak and peak in a Japanese villa patrolled by ninja-ettes. Unforgettable Siberian espionage, and of course an underwater evil headquarters to attack. Throw in India and an underground cave complex and what more could you need?
How about an awesome soundtrack of neo-sixties psychadelia? Done. Believable atmospheric sound effects to go with each setting? You bet. Unique weapons? How about shurikens, silenced submachine guns, radar tracking darts to stick to your enemies, and a crossbow with regular, flame and poison bolts? But don't worry Counter Strike fans. There's usually an AK-47 lying around somewhere.
Yeah, I should be paid to promote this game, but I'm not. Do yourself a favor, and grab this one. It's $20 everywhere I look.
[edit]And I forgot to mention.... online play inlcuding a co-op mode![edit]