Project Igi

Project I.G.I. (I'm Going In) is one of the earliest attempts at combining stealth mechanics with tactical first-person shooting. Developed by Innerloop Studios and published by Eidos Interactive in 2000, the game stood out at the time for its large outdoor environments, realistic weapon handling, and emphasis on infiltration over brute force.

Players take on the role of David Jones, an ex-SAS operative working for the Institute for Geotactical Intelligence (I.G.I.), as he embarks on missions across Eastern Europe to stop a nuclear threat. Unlike many shooters of its era, Project I.G.I. did not include save-anywhere features; instead, it challenged players with long, difficult missions that required patience, precision, and careful planning.

Graphically, the game was impressive for its time, featuring vast landscapes rendered by Innerloop’s proprietary engine. The AI was unpredictable — sometimes frustratingly so — and the lack of multiplayer or quick-save options received criticism from players. However, the realistic weapon mechanics and freedom in mission approaches were praised.

Although it lacked polish in some areas, Project I.G.I. gained a cult following and laid the foundation for its sequel, Project I.G.I. 2: Covert Strike (2003), which improved many of the shortcomings of the original.

Verdict:
While not perfect, Project I.G.I. remains a nostalgic and historically important game in the tactical FPS genre. Its mix of realism, open-ended missions, and stealth-oriented gameplay influenced later titles in the genre.