Best Ever Game Set in Modern Day Latin America
This game is what gaming used to be about: about crazy companies attempting to do many, many things, and unfortunately not succeeding in many of them.
When the final patches came out, while still definitely janky in many ways, it was now much more than just playable: it was really good fun.
OK let's get the bad out of the way: yes it was graphically dated even then, yes there are some weird mechanics in the game, all skills take forever to level up (they all level up via actually using them only), and some you will likely not ever get near max (e.g. trading).
But if you can look past that, and past the relatively-primitive yet definitely functional FPS gameplay, you will discover a game with so much to offer. There are many factions, you can do missions for all of them - but naturally this annoys their enemies. For most factions you can "reset" their negative view of you. Missions are fun, good variety, and the level design of the bases is really good - nevermind the cut and paste jungle around them...
The factions include: communist guerillas (basically FARC), the Government, the CIA, native Indians (peaceful to terrorist), criminals, the Mafia (basically Columbian drug barons), and civilians even.
The standout parts: there are many types of vehicles, once you're qualified to use them, you can not only drive cars, but also tanks, choppers, planes, and boats. You can even buy some of them, but many can only be used during a mission - but the coolest part is you can take a vehicle from one mission and use it to complete a bunch of other missions.
Also worth mentioning: if you complete a mission fully stealthily, you annoy the opponents MUCH less.
Also features some interesting mechanics, such as how loot and selling items is handled (basically encourages buying weapons, economy doesn't break like in other games even later on).
Truly one of the few RPGs to be set in the modern era, in a unique setting (Latin America). Also you get a bullhorn - best weapon! ;)