This game is kind of a guilty pleasure for me. I just completed it on normal difficulty and I honestly can't believe that it got released with all the problems the game mechanics have. Everything you can possibly imagine that could be wrong with a first person shooter is done in this game. There is a rail section where you are in the back seat of a vehicle being shot at with no way to dodge or duck. If you start the mission with anything below 100% health, (meaning you have to complete the previous mission with 100% health) than you might as well reload an older save file and start from a previous mission. There is a sewer level where the water rises, but if you stay underwater too long, you lose health. The problem is that the damage taken for lack of oxygen while being under water is accumulative, meaning that if you begin losing health after being underwater for 10 seconds, and you emerge for air after 9 seconds, going back under the water (which is required) will start to hurt you after being submerged for only 1 second. The game finally concludes with what I can only describe as one of the worst escort missions in FPS history. The only good thing I can think to say is that there were no timed missions.

Well, the game's not all bad. Let's talk about what they did right. First, the game is short, (a good thing in this case). Second, there is a very convenient quick save and quick load feature, so no check point system. The down side to that is that you will be using the quick save/load feature constantly; sometimes over a dozen times just to get past one corner where soldiers are waiting to ambush you. There is absolutely no skill involved in this game what-so-ever. It is simply a matter of getting past an area, gaining a little bit of advancement, quicksaving, and repeating as you gradually progress little by little. The graphics, while terrible by today's standards and not very good for the standards of its release date, do a very effective job in recreating an oppressive, post-war soviet atmosphere. The game attempted to be accurate by implementing a critical hit system, which means that you can have 100% health, but one bullet in the right spot, (heart, head, ect.) can take it down to almost 0%. And trust me, there is an ocean of bullets flying at you. You'll find that this system works in your favor also as using your sniper weapon, (the most crucial firearm in the game) and zooming in for headshots is the most effective way to kill your enemies. It's a trial and error system that will have you dying A LOT!

So why am I recommending this game? One reason: The price. I got this game for two dollars on sale. For that price it was worth it. Do not pay a dollar more for this game. Deep inside of me, there is a perverse, masochistic streak that takes some sick pleasure in an occasional bad game, much like many people find watching a campy, low-budget movie entertaining. Also, I promise you will enjoy the cutscenes. Trust me on this. They are the most poorly translated, horrendously voice-acted cutscenes you will ever see in your life time. I enjoyed them immensely. If you can find this game for a dollar or two on sale, and you have nothing better to do, give it a try.

This game is kind of a guilty pleasure for me. I just completed it on normal difficulty and I honestly can't believe that it got released with all the problems the game mechanics have. Everything you can possibly imagine that could be wrong with a first person shooter is done in this game. There is a rail section where you are in the back seat of a vehicle being shot at with no way to dodge or duck. If you start the mission with anything below 100% health, (meaning you have to complete the previous mission with 100% health) than you might as well reload an older save file and start from a previous mission. There is a sewer level where the water rises, but if you stay underwater too long, you lose health. The problem is that the damage taken for lack of oxygen while being under water is accumulative, meaning that if you begin losing health after being underwater for 10 seconds, and you emerge for air after 9 seconds, going back under the water (which is required) will start to hurt you after being submerged for only 1 second. The game finally concludes with what I can only describe as one of the worst escort missions in FPS history. The only good thing I can think to say is that there were no timed missions. Well, the game's not all bad. Let's talk about what they did right. First, the game is short, (a good thing in this case). Second, there is a very convenient quick save and quick load feature, so no check point system. The down side to that is that you will be using the quick save/load feature constantly; sometimes over a dozen times just to get past one corner where soldiers are waiting to ambush you. There is absolutely no skill involved in this game what-so-ever. It is simply a matter of getting past an area, gaining a little bit of advancement, quicksaving, and repeating as you gradually progress little by little. The graphics, while terrible by today's standards and not very good for the standards of its release date, do a very effective job in recreating an oppressive, post-war soviet atmosphere. The game attempted to be accurate by implementing a critical hit system, which means that you can have 100% health, but one bullet in the right spot, (heart, head, ect.) can take it down to almost 0%. And trust me, there is an ocean of bullets flying at you. You'll find that this system works in your favor also as using your sniper weapon, (the most crucial firearm in the game) and zooming in for headshots is the most effective way to kill your enemies. It's a trial and error system that will have you dying A LOT! So why am I recommending this game? One reason: The price. I got this game for two dollars on sale. For that price it was worth it. Do not pay a dollar more for this game. Deep inside of me, there is a perverse, masochistic streak that takes some sick pleasure in an occasional bad game, much like many people find watching a campy, low-budget movie entertaining. Also, I promise you will enjoy the cutscenes. Trust me on this. They are the most poorly translated, horrendously voice-acted cutscenes you will ever see in your life time. I enjoyed them immensely. If you can find this game for a dollar or two on sale, and you have nothing better to do, give it a try.