Core game short, but dedicated fans are a sport.
The graphics are lightly dated, not near as good as say Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory, but this is offset with meticulous attention to detail in the levels for full immersion and in that I can run it at 1600x1200 with my 2 year old nvidia 6600 GT wtih very high detail, so that makes me very happy.
People have already left detailed reviews about the game, but failed to mention something very important about their main downfall of the game:
how short it is.
Yes, there's only 21 missions for the core game (14) and expansion (7), but you have access to dozens upon dozens of fan made maps which can be created with the company provided utility. Additionally, Sierra released an offical additional 8 map pack for free, you can download it from the SWAT 4 page (not this Gold page).
Kudos to games that allow player modding and custom map making. Some have even created MODs that add more realism and additional weaponry.
I've been using this site liberally:
http://www.hot-swat-mods.com
Here's my cons to the game:
It is touted for using the Havok physics engine, but I don't see this implemented near as well as other games like Splinter Cell in respects to little items scattering the rooms. When I shoot a cup, I want to see it go flying. I would also like to be able to shoot out lights; should be key in stealth games.
If you get anything from my review, let it be this game is an outstanding value in that it is now dirt cheap and there's an active user community creating maps for it.
I tiltled the review to a 9, because this game is exactly what I want. It's like football, you have to regroup and blow the immersion in one fell swoop, not a constant action like basketball (i.e. Battlefield 2)
Definitely sporting to be an all-time favorite game.