An agent's tale of espionage and firefights
Project I.G.I.: I'm Going In, a tactical first-person shooter developed by Innerloop Studios and released by Eidos Interactive, places players in the role of a single agent, David Llewellyn Jones. As a former British Special Air Service operator, Jones is sent on a mission to stop a homicidal ex-Russian Colonel named Ekk who plans to destroy Europe with a nuclear warhead. This game is one of the first to feature realistic weaponry and tactical combat situations.
Story and gameplay
Project I.G.I emphasizes stealth and guile over massive firepower. The missions balance tense stealth with dramatic combat, making the experience entertaining. Jones must sneak into military installations in Eastern Europe and use his skills in thievery, computer hacking, sabotage, and reconnaissance to stop the enemy. Since he's just one man and not a one-man army, he'll need to creep through the shadows, sneak around security cameras, hack computers to deactivate surveillance systems, and use binoculars to scout the area.
The enemy's artificial intelligence reacts to Jones' every action and uses military tactics to track his position. To counter surveillance, bunkers, tanks, and gunships, Jones is equipped with NATO spy gear and assault weapons. The game's narrative is primarily told through in-engine cutscenes at the beginning or end of each mission. The missions are often large and complex, but they are divided into smaller, more manageable objectives. It is a strictly single-player experience with 14 missions.
Weapons, equipment, and design
Players have access to a large arsenal of real-world weapons, from a combat knife for silent kills to an antitank weapon for armored vehicles. Other weapons include the Glock 17, Desert Eagle, MP5, and Dragunov sniper rifle, along with flashbang and fragmentation grenades. The weapon physics are generally believable; for instance, automatic weapons have a noticeable kick that hinders aim. Bullets can also penetrate walls and doors.
Since stealth is crucial, players use gadgets like binoculars with night vision and a digital compass, as well as a Map computer that lists mission objectives and shows a live satellite video reconnaissance feed. The map computer also logs communications from Anya, Jones' mission director back at headquarters.
The graphics are very good during its time, with highly detailed textures and convincing weapon models. The vast outdoor environments are particularly immersive and memorable, especially since the terrain is well-textured. Weapon sound effects are convincing and vivid, and explosions are suitably loud. Environmental sounds are terrific, with details like gates grinding, motors humming, and elevators chiming as they reach a new floor.
Reception and challenges
Project I.G.I have several shortcomings, however. These included a poorly programmed AI, a lack of a mid-game save option, and the absence of multiplayer features. A few shots can put a painful end to Jones's career, and his health can only be restored by finding medical syringes from an infirmary.
Strategic legacy of a lone wolf
Project I.G.I.: I'm Going In is an immersive tactical shooter experience that prioritizes strategic thinking and stealth over brute force. Despite its shortcomings, the game was praised for its graphics and sound design. Its unique blend of realistic combat, clever gadgets, and detailed environments makes it a notable title for fans of the genre.
