[PavelKirilovich]

I've played SMERSH through, end to end.

If I had to describe it as a composition of games I would do so as follows: Hitman: Silent Assassin blended with a dash of Commandos, baked with a sprinkle of Splinter Cell. Served hot.

The graphics are pretty good; everything looks mostly correct, you won't be caught out thinking: "What the Hell is that supposed to be?" Enemies vary enough that you don't think you're knifing Hans the Sentry, after knifing his twin brothers Rudi, Karl, and Manfred.

Being somewhat familiar with Soviet intelligence operations and counterintelligence operations during the Great Patriotic War, the game's boast of playing many missions based on actual operations is completely true.

Like Silent Assassin, the game relies heavily on you observing the enemy's routines and being meticulously timed in your stealthy movements. The game is quite fair; if an enemy sees you, it is possible to kill him before he raises the alarm. It is also possible to obtain a variety of uniforms to complete your objective.

My biggest complaint is not with the graphics, which are not top notch but are definately servicable. The biggest visual complaint is the animations. They can be blocky and look unnatural. You'll eventually get used to them.

The gameplay is exceptionally solid and I completed all missions in an average of one to two hours each. Some I managed to do in forty-five minutes, these usually involve an embassy.
Aside from the Germans, you also face off against the British a fair bit. An interesting shift. You have some operations that are painfully difficult to conduct, namely "Project Y." Try to resist the urge to shoot staff in the face in order to get them out of your way.

I bought it for $29.99 Canadian. Highly recommend it for that price. A good game.