IGI 2 Covert Strike is the latest in a line of single-player stealth, similar to Splinter Cell and Hitman.

Your character, Jones, works alone with a variety of weapons through 19 campaigns. Each one, like Splinter Cell, emphasizes using stealth and avoidance over in-your-face confrontation.

The weapon selection is impressive. There's everything from the basic Colt python and AK47 that we all know and love to the M104, LAW 80, twin UZI and RPG7. If you hit a situation where firepower is necessary, you've got it there.

There's thermal imaging and binoculars to help you plan your attack. On the downside, like several of the other stealth games, it assumes you will probably play a mission a few times to figure out the best way to avoid the paths of your enemies. I'm never a fan of memorizing set paths of enemies as being a valid gameplay technique.

However, the single player missions are (like just about every other game I've played recently) mostly a training ground for the challenge of playing this on line. The AI in the game is reasonably good - but wait until you go up against other humans on line! That's where you really start to have some fun.

The graphics are rather good, but not as stunning as far as light and shadows as Splinter Cell was. Still, Splinter Cell was rather amazing, so it's not a bad thing to say it comes relatively close. Motion is smooth and the environments realistic. Sounds are realistic as well, with footsteps and mood music drawing you in.

A good game for those who have played through Splinter Cell and are ready to take that style of gameplay to the next level!

Free Playable Demo of IGI2

Buy IGI2 from Amazon.com