On a graphical level, Project: Snowblind shines greatly on the ailing PlayStation 2 console. While you’re not going to be presented with a Splinter Cell near-perfect look, player models and environments alike look very nice, and the particle effects displayed help bring the graphical prowess front and center.

When it comes to audio, Project: Snowblind also delivers. Whether it be the decent dialog or explosions forming overhead, you’ll always be in the middle of the action. And unlike many first-person shooters, Snowblind allows your character to also speak, which helps add to the realism and the story that unfolds.

From the creators of Tomb Raider and Lara Croft and that of a little Gecko named Gex, the next great franchise has been born. Project: Snowblind, on many levels, shows the beginnings of a great future still to come. While the implementation may not be absolutely perfect (yet), a great game has room to grow as a series.

In Snowblind, you take control of Nathan Frost after he nearly loses his life. His resurrection is brought about due to bio-mechanics, which also give him the ability to use special powers known as augmentations. During his battles, Frost can use his abilities to slow down time, become temporarily invincible, and also go retro with Predator-esque invisibility.

Combining these augmentations with a host of weapons that have both primary and secondary functions, you’ll be assured that the level of bang for your buck is worth every penny. Add drivable vehicles, the option to use stealth, and a host of futuristic elements, and your FPS adventures are complete.

While the enemy A.I. may not be perfect, the number of times where guards come running through doorways, only to get killed in the process, are few and far between. Enemies investigate fallen comrades, and also trigger alarms that bring more foes, so using your head can be as important as using your weapons. You’ll also have the ability to tap into enemy security systems, gaining control of gun turrets and robots to turn against their creators.

Since we live in the information age, a first person shooter that isn’t online may never survive. Never fear, since Project: Snowblind has both LAN and Internet play, in which up to 16 players can be linked. Unfortunately, players cannot play split-screen, so everyone will need their own PS2 system to play.

As long as you remember to use your surroundings to your advantage, Project: Snowblind really isn’t all that difficult of a game (of course, online play will depend on your competition). Knowing when to use your augmentations, your ability to sneak around, and when to hop into a vehicle come in handy too. If you’re the type of player who likes to always go running in, guns blazing, you’ll also have to watch your ammo more carefully. There are save points throughout the game, but they are not so abundant that you can be carefree. In fact, I’d say that save points are generally located at the perfect distance from start to finish of each level.

Project: Snowblind uses every single button on the PS2 gamepad. For the most part, the default configuration given to you works very well. I did find myself accidentally tossing grenades once in a while when I meant to punch holes in awaiting crates, but that was the only button that I constantly got confused with.

If you’re into first person shooters, then Project: Snowblind will keep you clamoring for more. The intense action crossed with the stealthy elements of the game will keep plenty of fans glued to the television.