Saving Private Stalin
This is the first in a pair of little-known shooters which is definitely rough and dirty but which doesn't provide much more than passing curiosity for fans of the genre. It's got an interesting setting but it's let down by empty environments, a dull story, and a whole of repetition which makes it far less than a must play. The game takes place in Russia in the 1950s when an MGB lieutenant (that's you!) discovers a conspiracy to assassinate Joseph Stalin. Now that he's uncovered this plan, he must battle his way through the underground (hence the title), killing all who stand in his way until he can reach Stalin's bunker where a bomb has been placed so he can hopefully save the big man and thousands of people in Moscow. What follows is a typical FPS where you make use of a variety of weapons, including the AK-47 and the PTRS-41 anti-tank rifle, in order to deal violent death to the bad guys. The game wears its inspirations on its sleeve, with levels inspired by the likes of GoldenEye amongst others and while the lack of originality needn't have killed the game, it doesn't do it any favors. There's a certain amount of enjoyment to be had from the sheer grittiness that's on display here but it soon becomes a little wearing as you realize the story doesn't make a whole lot of sense while tedium also creeps in as you only face the same kind of enemies and who require the same kind of tactics to take down. The visuals are suitably rough and ready which adds to the atmosphere but at the end of the day, this is little more than an average shooter so maybe stick with Doom and Wolfenstein.
