Enemies were shooting through walls, and I didn’t have a gunpoint. That’s what my tough adventure with Project I.G.I looked like

The I.G.I. series aimed to challenge games like Tom Clancy’s Rainbox Six and Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon, yet it struggled to measure up and hold its ground against them.

Despite neither the initial nor the sequel of this series achieving the same level of success as their larger counterparts, they still attracted a notable number of devoted followers who have formed a loyal fanbase. I am one of those fans. Sometimes, my attachment to this franchise feels eerily similar to Stockholm syndrome.

Permit me to share some insights about the inaugural title under this brand, Project I.G.I., and disclose what captivated me beyond expectation when Innerloop Studio was formed.

Shooter with a tactical edge

In the game known as Project I.G.I., we assumed the role of David Jones, a soldier-turned-employee for the Institute of Geotactical Intelligence who previously served with the British special forces. As a hired gun, Jones undertook various assignments, one of which was the mission discussed here, where he infiltrated the former Soviet Union to retrieve stolen nuclear warheads from the American stockpile.

Instead of James Bond or Sam Fisher, it feels like the role was more suited for a tactically-minded operative. That’s because Project I.G.I. wasn’t your average shooter; instead, it offered a strategic edge where planning ahead was often more crucial than quick reflexes and accurate aiming. Before embarking on the mission, we could scan the satellite map of the area to identify patrol routes and locate security cameras. However, once in action, there was no backup from teammates as seen in games like Ghost Recon or Rainbow Six. You were entirely on your own.

As a stealthy gamer, I found myself with a smorgasbord of tasks to tackle – from obliterating sneaky missile launch sites, to guarding my comrades’ backs, all the way to infiltrating enemy strongholds for critical intel and swag.

Not for beginners

In Project I.G.I., the game presented a challenging experience. The enemies were keen and could easily detect the protagonist, even from a distance. They were quick to respond to gunfire sounds. However, our protagonist wasn’t like Doom Guy, capable of withstanding numerous bullets directly. As a result, blindly charging ahead, akin to Rambo, was not an option here. Success in the game required strategic planning, using the provided map for this purpose, and cautiously navigating while carefully dealing with threats in smart ways.

A variety of weapons, such as knives or firearms like pistols, submachine guns, assault rifles, machine guns, sniper rifles, shotguns, and even rocket launchers, could be employed to neutralize our adversaries. However, it’s essential to note that the ammunition for some weapons might not be readily available in this location. Additionally, an interesting aspect is that the bullets we used were remarkably similar to real ones; they could penetrate wood and rebound off metal surfaces. This means that our enemies had the potential to shoot through walls, but we possessed the same capability.

A challenge arose from the game’s saving mechanism. The game wouldn’t permit players to save progress during a mission; instead, they could only do so after finishing it. This meant that novice players often found themselves needing to replay missions multiple times, retracing their steps each time.

Fingerprint aiming (+200% to the difficulty level)

Struggling with challenges due to inexperience isn’t something to worry about – as they say, practice leads to mastery. However, it becomes more frustrating when technology adds complications to our journey… My first personal computer was an unusual device featuring a GeForce 4 MX440 graphics card and a Creative Sound Blaster sound system. These parts were prone to compatibility issues with games. Regrettably, one of the troublesome games was Project I.G.I.

In 2002, while playing Project I.G.I, I experienced technical difficulties. The graphics drivers were faulty which prevented me from seeing my gunpoint in the game. Additionally, issues with the sound driver meant that the weapon sounds failed to play. Since downloading software was not as straightforward back then, I had to put in extra effort to find a solution and continue enjoying the game.

In my situation, I couldn’t fix the silence from the gun, so I adapted to both not hearing when I fired and when they returned fire. Regarding the absence of a gunpoint, I didn’t attach anything to the screen since I feared causing damage. Instead, I created an indentation in the center of the screen that served as my aiming point for enemies. Remarkably, I was able to play effectively under these conditions, although now it seems rather astonishing how persistent I was at the time.

Almost like Splinter Cell

In retrospect, Project I.G.I. bears a resemblance to the first-person perspective of “Splinter Cell,” albeit with some differences. While the stealth mechanics weren’t quite as sophisticated as in Sam Fisher’s games, the protagonist, David Jones, could sneak up on enemies for surprise attacks, climb ladders and high structures, or even use a zip line. The game I’m referring to stood out from the adventures of Third Echelon agents with its expansive, open-structured maps that were particularly noteworthy in size when it was initially released.

It’s worth noting that in an attempt that was subsequently employed in Deus Ex: Human Revolution, the developers experimented with a particular approach. In specific instances such as scaling a ladder, manipulating a computer, or planting explosives, the camera would transition to a third-person view, enabling us to observe our character more closely. This technique imparted a cinematic feel to the game at the time.

Issues

Apart from the troublesome save system, mentioned earlier, another significant issue with Project I.G.I. was the unrealistic AI behavior of the opponents. While they occasionally acted sensibly, their actions were often irrational. For instance, they failed to react when their comrades died, and instead of calling for backup, they foolishly charged at the protagonist, exposing themselves to danger. To add insult to injury, these enemies would appear out of nowhere, with gunfire occasionally coming from unseen locations; in many instances, this unexpected fire resulted in the protagonist’s demise.

How to play Project IGI today?

Currently, as I pen these lines, Project I.G.I. is not accessible on platforms such as GOG.com or Steam. The only option for obtaining this game is by purchasing a second-hand physical edition which costs at least 20 dollars. On the other hand, you can acquire its sequel, I.G.I. 2: Covert Strike, for just 5 dollars.

The I.G.I. series initially planned a prequel titled I.G.I. Origins, however, the development of this project was discontinued and it seems unlikely that it will ever be completed. However, let’s save that discussion for another time…

2025-07-19 21:02