Same (cheesy) name, new and improved gameplay! IGI 2 expands on the strengths of the original, eliminates many of its weaknesses, and almost comes out as an FPS version of Splinter Cell or Metal Gear…almost being the key word.
IGI 2 throws you back into a generic, hodgepodge bond-movie plot, and honestly, I didn't really care to follow it too closely. If you've saved the world from terrorists once by retrieving a briefcase/computer chip/what have you, you've done it a million times. But the gameplay behind the plot is what is important, and it is here that IGI 2 finds success, not in being a literary masterpiece.
While still not nearly as advanced, captivating, or downright fun as Hitman 2 or Metal Gear, the sequel certainly has saved the series from becoming irrelevant, after the original came through with interesting gameplay ideas, but failed to follow up with a solid execution. AI seems more in tune, and more willing to "play ball." They aren't stupid, but when you are hidden, they don't suddenly see you. When you are in the middle of the field, they don't pretend you're nowhere to be seen. Level design seems, on the whole, better; and it's often necessary to check your satellite map before making a move from behind cover. There are often several ways to enter a fortified location, and you can sometimes even make it through a level without killing a single guard, if you are truly prudent. Gone are the endless pits of enemies that would appear when you trigger alarms, and in is a limited save function, which is VERY welcome. The level of difficulty seems to have been ramped down as well, which some may call a copout, but I call a necessary evil – most of the challenge in IGI the first came from artificial means.
IGI had its problems though, and its successor provides some relief, not a complete solution to them all. In the era of Splinter Cell and Unreal 2 on the PC, IGI isn't very impressive looking at all. In fact, it looks much like an updated version of the old game. That's not to say it's ugly, but as far as graphics go, it's not raising bars. Granted, the indoor areas look excellent, and the player model looks awesome up close for some reason, but outdoor environments and enemy characters seem to really suffer. Take it for what you will. Also, IGI 2 can sometimes degenerate into tedious bouts of trial and error. This would be tolerable, if not for the fact that you're only allotted three saves per mission. This is comparable to putting the proverbial Band-aid on a shotgun wound. And why, for the love of God, can a secret ops agent not move bodies? Sure would make it a lot easier to keep his buddies from finding him and raising alarms, no?
Back when IGI first came out, the "stealth" thing was largely a console phenomenon. Today, PC gamers can choose from top-rate games like Hitman 2, Splinter Cell, No One Lives Forever 2, and even classics like Deus Ex. When you think about the alternatives one has, only fans of the series should consider purchasing IGI 2.
-George
Company Line
In this sequel to the award-winning Project IGI: I'm Going In, players assume the role of British covert operative David Jones, a former SAS soldier now working for the secret U.S. military organization codenamed 'IGI'. Set directly after the events of the original game, Jones undertakes top-secret military operations by infiltrating airbases, harbors, and secret government installations located deep within enemy territories. IGI 2 boasts an action-packed single player campaign, featuring enhanced AI, a diverse range of weapon types and a newly implemented save system. Additionally, IGI 2 will offer intense team based multiplayer action. With an immersive storyline spanning across China, Russia and Libya, IGI 2 delivers a thinking-gamer's first-person shooter. Each action packed mission expands the plot and is driven forward with impressive animated cut scenes that continue to absorb the player in the game's carefully constructed narrative.
Features:
Totally revamped Artificial Intelligence (AI) System – enemies react to their environment, work as an effective team, utilize authentic combat tactics and electronic security systems
Variety of challenging missions, including low light and night stealth-based missions
Intense team-based multiplayer combat with a focus on completing objectives as a unit
Dynamic weapon accuracy system where the player's aim is affected by running, walking or crouching
Introduces an innovative in-game save feature that forces the player to decide, strategically, when and where to save
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