Flawed game but its flaws allow it to be what it is - an immersive mercenary simulator. The best parts are tense shootouts in slums and scrapyards where you really have to use your senses to locate your enemies. No GPS, HUD icons, or highlighter. The AI is more reactive and unforgiving compared to later games. Stealth is extra challenging, but feels really rewarding to pull off. Lots of jungle driving with surprisingly good driving physics. You have to equip a physical map to see where you are and plan travel. Ammo feels precious, weapons degrade over time, and you have to resupply on malaria meds. Not that hard, but the game keeps a nice baseline of tension that makes even the more repetitive and slow moments exhilirating.
