Death to spies moment of truth

Death to Spies : Moment of Truth (PC/Full/ENG)
Game Platforme(s) : PC | Language : English | Release Date : Aug 10, 2009
Publisher : 1C | Developer : Haggard Games | Genre : Historic Action Adventure | Size : 2.31 Gb
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Moment of Truth is an apt subtitle for this stealthy sequel to 2007's Death to Spies--because every move you make is, indeed, a moment of truth. Leaving a corpse where it can be seen, getting caught picking a lock, and sometimes just walking into the wrong room can mean sudden death in this incredibly challenging third-person sneaker. Yet when every bungled deed can lead to an untimely demise, success is all the more rewarding, because while oft-amazing AI makes tiptoeing about highly difficult, the action doesn't usually feel unfair. That doesn't mean, however, that every death feels appropriate. There are occasions in Moment of Truth when gameplay contrivances and a lack of information lead you right to the grim reaper's front door, and you are powerless to avoid his scythe. Nevertheless, there's a satisfying ebb and flow to the game, where long periods of tension are relieved in a single sigh when you accomplish an important objective.
The setup is similar to that of the original Death to Spies. You're a member of SMERSH, the Russian predecessor to the infamous KGB, and you spend most of the game slinking around Nazis and assassinating vital targets. In some ways, this is a typical stealth game: you watch patterns of enemy movement closely while looking for ways to sneak past them, creep up behind them and slit their throats with a single slice of your knife, and steal their clothing so you can disguise yourself and roam among your foes. Eventually, you'll discover a number of clever ways to accomplish your objectives. For example, in one level, you must eliminate an important target. One way of doing so is to infiltrate a medical office, where you can strangle a doctor from behind in a restroom stall. Disguised as the doc, you can then enter the examination room where your victim waits for medical attention. The treatment you administer, of course, is much bloodier than he expects. Following your target about reveals other options; discovering them takes a keen eye and a little bit of brainpower.
Unfortunately, the cutscenes and voiced objectives that precede each level don't offer much context for your deeds. The story doesn't matter, and you'll never know much about your own character, which is too bad, because the setup hints at intriguing possibilities. Yet where the deficient narrative leaves some gaping holes, the excellent visual atmosphere will help draw you in. Moment of Truth isn't a showcase for modern technology, but it looks moody and oppressive. Most environments look as if the color has been sucked out of them, which doesn't sound attractive, but it works. For example, the sepia-tinged fourth level is like an old photograph come to life, so it feels as though you are reliving a fading memory while you play. While there are some moments when the light flickers and fades in unusual ways, the softness of the sunlight as it shines through windows is attractive, and the lighting in general looks terrific. The stiff character models and their expressionless glares won't impress you, however, nor will their constant silence. Moment of Truth is a very quiet game, so touches like the music from a creaky phonograph are effective. However, the tension levels could have been further elevated with stronger sound design, and here, the game falters.