A video game, released in 2000 by [Ion Storm]? and distributed by [Eidos Interactive]?, initially available for IBM PC-compatible computers.
Possibly inspired by System Shock, the game combined the action elements of a [first-person shooter]? with the character development interaction of a role playing game. The game, set in a near-future dystopia, featured realistic environments often drawn from real locations. It was also notable for the complex tactical possibilities, where players could choose many different ways of achieving evolving goals, from stealth and long-range sniping, to all-out combat with various heavy weapons, to character interaction and clever use of objects in the environment. The plot managed to draw together many current conspiracy theories into a plausible and compelling narrative with interestingly drawn-out, well motivated characters and presented a fascinating philosophical dilemma in the conclusion where the player must choose between courses which lead to the continuation of 20th-century style capitalism with all its flaws, returning the world to medieval anarchy, or choose the uncomfortable peace offered by the rule of an omniscient computer.
The game was hailed by many critics and users as a significant step towards a "reality simulation", though some complained of technical flaws (the graphics were not state-of-the-art and the game ran slowly on machines not fitted with 3dfx? video cards) and found the game too difficult to complete.
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