Crack open any First Person Shooter on a store shelf and you’ll find they typically seem to follow two different molds. One casts the player as an unstoppable killing machine, hell-bent on a direct course, deflecting wounds with health kits and destroying enemies with aplomb. Although there is strategy involved within these titles, much of the gameplay revolves around the continual pressure of firefights. The other mold restricts you to a more clandestine approach, where pre-planned objectives must be met for success. These products force strategic maneuvering and foresight to accomplish your tasks. Codemasters’ upcoming release of IGI 2: Covert Strike conforms to the latter of these two formats, eschewing direct confrontations for stealthy attacks from the shadows. Stealth comes naturally to your character, David Llewelyn Jones, in IGI 2. An ex-SAS member, Jones works as a field operative for an American intelligence agency, code-named IGI. A modern James Bond (unfortunately stripped of the really cool gadgets), David is usually sent into risky areas with only his equipment and information provided by Anya, his intelligence contact. Fans of the original will be pleased to know that IGI 2 picks up immediately after the first title, quickly plunging Jones and Anya back into active duty. David’s globetrotting exploits will be expanded significantly in IGI 2. While the five missions available in the beta roamed across exotic locales such as the Carpathian Mountains and the Ukraine, there will be lots of single player missions of multiple objectives dispersed over three campaigns in the final release. Ranging from infiltrations to assassinations as well as time-sensitive exercises, the action within these black ops should not fail to capture any armchair warrior’s imagination. Although some of the game elements, such as in-game dialogue, briefings, mission objective screens and cut-scenes, had not been fully implemented, the expansive levels provided a good sneak peek at what the final product should look like. When all the additional bells and whistles have been included, these levels should be even more impressive. (And for all you multiplayer fans, yes, there will be a large emphasis on multiplayer matches.) While the places you visit will change, the focus on secrecy will remain the same. This is not to say that you can’t go “Rambo” and charge into battle, guns blazing. You can, and you will have to at times, but continually advancing in this manner will only get yourself very acquainted with the load screen. One of the largest reasons behind this is that Jones is continually placed alone deep behind enemy lines in the most remote places with only the most essential gear to his current assignment. Medical kits, bandages, and other health items are in very short supply, if they exist at all. So avoiding significant firefights becomes vital to the success of every exercise. This may not seem like a major problem until you wind up observing the AI of the enemy troops in full alert mode. One of the largest complaints from gamers with IGI 2’s predecessor was that the AI was very poor. That problem has definitely been remedied within the sequel, with guards and soldiers that are environmentally aware. If they hear a noise, they investigate warily with reinforcements closely following them. If shots are fired, the troops within an area quickly swarm to the closest threat. But the guards are not the only dangers; surveillance cameras continually sweep back and forth for intruders. Although Jones is a good shot, even he can’t take down a hoard of soldiers when they all train their weapons on him. Consequently, you’ll find yourself sticking to the shadows until you’re forced to strike, conserving ammunition for your noise-suppressed weapons as best you can until absolutely necessary. IGI 2 is shaping up to be an impressive sequel. With improved AI, expansive levels, and an even greater reliance upon the stealth that the game was founded upon, the series has received a facelift that will not only appeal to original fans, but also those players interested in a thinking shooter. At the time of this preview, the beta was 70% complete, but if the missing elements are as good as the included missions, this game could potentially contend for an action game of the year award. Questions or comments about the upcoming release of IGI 2: Covert Strike? Talk to us! [ E-Mail Jeff 'Linkphreak' Haynes ][ Comment in our Forums ]

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