Neutralize enemies and leave no trace of your passing. You are Sam Fisher and this is Splinter Cell, a game that not only redefines the stealth game genre, but a game that is destined to live on as a milestone in the evolution of gaming. What Doom did for the world of gaming in the early 90's; Splinter Cell has done for the 00's.
The game starts innocuously with a basic training course, which teaches you the basic game moves and you sense that this is not your average game. The controls are intuitive, which is amazing given the number of different actions you can take. Don't get me wrong.
The PS2 version is beautiful in it's handling of shadows from multiple light sources and heat waves from open flames. While there isn't much in the way of background music, the ambient noise is subtle and realistic. Sound is an integral part of this game, as you frequently hear your enemies long before you see them.
Overall, the graphics and audio combine to submerge you in the world of Splinter Cell , in such a way that you actually feel the fear of being discovered, reminiscent of playing Silent Hill 2 at 2am.
Levels that in other games might be completed in minutes by racing through them can take you 30 minutes in Splinter Cell , as you slowly infiltrate unknown areas, sneak through the shadows, distract guards with thrown bottles, peering under each door before opening it and by methodically casing areas.
Don't worry; Ubi Soft spares you the frustration of having to replay each level over and over again by auto saving at predefined checkpoints. Ubi Soft did a solid job of porting the game to the PS2. For incentive they included four new levels, changed some existing levels and added several cut sequences that shed a bit more light on Sam's background.
One new level lets Sam show off his snow camouflage outfit and another is a very cool nuclear power plant level. These are awesome and will have your XBOX friends green with envy. A great compliment you can give a game is the recognition of how much time you spend thinking about a game while you are not playing it.
Splinter Cell is so immersive that it actually begins to change your thinking in everyday life. Things I never consciously thought of, now draw my attention: security cameras, shadows, light sources, etc. I find myself thinking how I can get to my office without being spotted by security cameras. That's how engaging and addictive this game is.
Whether or not you've played the XBOX version, there's enough here to make it worth taking another excursion into Sam's world. For PS2 owners, this game is a definite must have.
Splinter Cell does one thing, and does it well: It makes you feel like a badass secret agent, with all the stealth action you know and love sneaking around, ganking enemies from behind, knocking out security cameras , plus a few ingenious twists an optical cable to peek under doors, special bullets to divert and gas guards, etc.
Whether you're blasting through a terrorist compound with guns blazing or taking to the shadows at CIA headquarters without ever firing a shot, excellent level design and a Tom Clancy-style story line which evolves during missions as well as in between will keep you playing even after dying 10 times in a row.
And, especially for a title with this much gameplay variety, the interface and controls always feel natural on the GC pad. Jumping, climbing, weapons, gadgets--everything is quickly and easily accessible including noticeable improvements over the Xbox setup once you adjust.
Graphically, however, the transition wasn't so smooth. It never looks bad, but many of the special lighting effects and big levels that made Splinter Cell shine on Xbox have been muted here, sometimes affecting gameplay--for example, shadows never really look dark, and the night vision goggles are all messed up.
The GameCube is capable of better, and it's a shame Splinter Cell doesn't take advantage of it. But uneven graphics and the occasional A. Play it. I don't agree with Mark's nitpicky assessment of the graphics. Sure, the Xbox version looks better, but you won't find a graphically slicker Cube game than Splinter Cell. Everything else he says is right on, though. The stealthy gameplay is incredible.
Even though you get more varied action from a Metal Gear Solid , what's here is so well designed, I remained jaw-dropped impressed from start to finish. The developers crafted such a tight game, with clever level designs that will consistently challenge you.
I also like that the GBA link-up stuff wasn't just half-assed slapped on--the new radar and sticky bomb are nice bonuses and pretty useful.
You won't find a cooler special-ops game than this This is my third time running through Splinter Cell, and the game just seems to get better and better every time I play it. Ubi Soft's stealth masterpiece has replay value up the wazoo--it's a real rush to master the layout of the levels, then attempt to slip past all of the guards unseen, never setting off an alarm.
Hand it to a friend, and you have another set of eyes watching your back a setup that saved my hide several times. It's a nice addition to an already fantastic experience. In the past, the words Tom Clancy on a game box meant that youd be coordinating a small team of operatives on an elite strike mission, as in the Rainbow Six series. Planning out complex tactical strikes is cool for some, but tons of gamers just wanna shoot stuff without pouring over blueprints.
In fact, with innovative gameplay, spectacular visuals and Clancys distinctive touch, this game might even outdo Konamis juggernaut. Splinter Cells mysterious title is actually an oblique reference to its hero, Sam Fisher. Hes a splinter cell, a lone-wolf operative working for the governments top-secret Third Echelon department. Surprisingly, Fishers not actually a Clancy creation the developers at Ubi created him from scratch.
When we were satisfied with the concept, we presented it to Tom, explains Ubi Soft producer Mathieu Ferland.
He was so impressed that he took the ball and ran with it embellishing the original concept with Clancy-esque details that only he could provide. Clancy made specific suggestions about Fishers clothing, weapons and movement, and of course, the games thrilling narrative.
Fishers adventure spans four countries, as the twisting plot unfolds through cinemas and in-game cutscenes. At the onset of each level, you get detailed instructions and mission objectives on your handy PDA. The best way to approach tasks like disable the missile launchers and locate the missing operative is by sneaking around, but if youre feeling lucky, go guns-blazing.
You never have to play it the same way twice, says Ferland. You can muscle your way through the game by force, or you can creep along in the shadows and focus on stealth you can even play through without any kills. Its up to you to decide, but each approach will have different consequences. Since Splinter Cells technology is all rooted in reality, Fisher doesnt have the benefit of an MGS-style radar device.
Instead, you must watch an onscreen indicator that reflects how well concealed you are. Stick to the shadows and youll pass by unseen. Fisher wields some impressive firepower, but Ferland insists that the main focus of the game is not on weapons, but instead on gadgets.
Its true as you progress, Fisher builds up an amazing arsenal of cool gizmos for spying, surprising and subduing. For a detailed look at these high-tech toys, check the previous page. Mastering this gear takes time, but the payoff is worth it.
Imagine spotting two guys behind a curtain with thermal goggles, silently shooting a gas-emitting distraction camera next to them, and then knockin em out with a rubber airfoil projectile. Thats the stylish way to clear a room. As stated earlier, Splinter Cells graphical excellence stands unparalleled among upcoming Xbox releases, and the guys at Ubi are understandably proud. It seems that other developers didnt explore the Xbox as much as we did, states Ferland. Weve built everything from scratch using Xbox specifications like the vertex shader, pixel shader and shadow buffer.
Translation: It looks unbelievably good. So good it was a standout title at the annual E3 trade show this past May. It was especially nice to learn that Metal Gear Solid director Hideo Kojima, the inventive creator of the stealth-action genre, was impressed, Ferland recalls with a smile.
With its mind-blowing visuals and creative gameplay concepts, Splinter Cell should provide some ample competition for Kojima's own Xbox entry, Metal Gear Solid 2 Substance. You've suffered long enough. It's been a few months since that no-good Xbox-own-ing friend of yours first dangled Splinter Cell in front of you, knowing quite well Ubi Soft wouldn't bring it over to competing platforms until gulp But you held out, and your patience is about to pay off.
It's true the PS2 can't quite match those oh-so-good Xbox visuals, but Splinter is still one of the biggest lookers on the console. The darkest and grittiest of environments are sharply defined, and real-time moving shadows contort with every slight change of lighting.
Weather effects give a palpable energy to the stages where they're a factor. And the always-available free-look camera gives you a perfect view of whatever you'd like, whenever you'd like it. But all these fancy visuals are much more than gravy; they're an essential part of Splinter's multilateral gameplay. Your primary weapon in all 10 missions yep, Ubi tacked on another sweet little treat to beef up the PS2 translation is stealth.
In fact, guns, bullets, grenades, and the like--while extremely useful at times--are secondary to one overriding gameplay tool: not being seen. Get in, get out, and leave no trace is your M. Light is your most persistent enemy, and it's used brilliantly to make things that much tougher for you. Sure, you can sometimes charge forward guns-a-blazin', but sticking silently to the shadows will never fail, and it's a lot less messy.
The game steers you toward a more subtle style of infiltration, but you always have options in Splinter Cell. Do you take the long route through the ventilation system, or cap the security cameras in the hall and try the direct approach?
Hang upside down from a water pipe until the sentry passes and slip through undetected, or grab him from behind and see if he's got any info you can extract? Go for the head shot, or disable the trigger-fingered hand? The most satisfying part of the game is devising an alternate way of solving a problem and then besting the crafty A. You'll probably fail a few missions trying, but the first time you pull off an insanely sneaky trick to get past a half-dozen guards in broad, betraying daylight, you'll feel like the slickest spy on the continent.
Sorry, Xbox gamers, but you're running out of time to gloat about Splinter Cell, the spectacularlooking, gizmo-crammed, Eurotrash-blasting black-ops sim that until recently was exclusive to your system. Not only does the soon-to-launch PS2 version we played look almost as good thanks to light-and-shadow rendering technology the developers have conjured specifically for PS2 hardware , but the PS2 game is arriving with worthwhile extras and tweaks, too. The biggest bonus here is the exclusive new power-plant mission, which is broken into four levels and integrated into the game's story line.
Reply Share this post. For CT the was a patch that added 2 coop missions nuclear plant, UN headquarters. I add it, thanks. The co-op bonus missions were also DLC for the xbox version. You are maybe right. Now Sam has never been much of a man for procrastination, but this new approach to the gameplay gives him a lot more split-second options when faced with either the front or back of a nearby enemy.
Thanks to Sam's newly acquired and much-asked-for knife, he can now do a lot more interrogating than ever before. In fact, the developers reckon there'll be about four times the need for interrogations than in previous games. You've also got the option of knocking your enemy out, or if you're not feeling charitable, then there are quick and deadly knife actions that will do the trick.
Other moves demonstrated by the team include lowering yourself down on a rope, kicking doors open LAPD-style, and using your new laser device to disable electric equipment for short periods of time.
Sam also has multiplayer specific moves as well see 'It Takes Two Baby We had to get the balance right between power and tension. Getting closer and closer makes you feel powerful, but at the same time more and more apprehensive. Despite the fact that the developers admit that approximately 80 per cent of players will take the easiest route through the game, the team have tried to make Chaos Theory a more linear experience, building on what Pandora Tomorrow established.
The game will have multiple paths to choose from and different ways of carrying out your objectives, of which there are five different types. Primary and secondary objectives are obvious although if you don't complete the secondary objectives they'll be bumped up to primary ones in the next mission ; collectable objectives may involve things like finding all the documents or taking out all of the cameras. You'll only have fallback objectives when the shit really hits the fan, and bonus ones are scenarios that the developer has put in where Sam has to make a few decisions of his own.
But I won't spoil the surprise. As he wrote the script, Hocking is keen to press the fact that Chaos Theory has an in-depth storyline, but as it's a Clancy franchise, you can guess it's not really going to involve singing furniture or dancing pink bunnies. There has also been a concerted effort to clean up the cut-scenes from the original Splinter Cell by er Not having them at all.
This intentional omission is being touted in Prince Of Persia 2 as well see page 44 which is, unsurprisingly, also by the same studio. The whole idea is to let the player interact with what is happening rather than stopping the flow of the gameplay. Chaos Theory also includes what Clint describes as "memorable moments".
This is where players will be shown parts of the story through dramatic in-game events. When developing these particular scenes, the team worked with Andy Davis, director of films such as The Fugitive and Under Siege, to ramp up the sense of emotion and tension.
He demonstrates this in a level where Sam rather disturbingly sees a prisoner being tortured to death by watching shadows on a wall. Hurrah for Hollywood! Camp outside your newsagent's door for the latest from ZONE on Sam Fisher -he's looking more and more like a bona fide movie star.
While Pandora Tomorrow offered us four-way action in a spy versus mercenary scenario, it might as well not have happened as far as Chaos Theory is concerned. This time, the multiplayer is very different.
For a start it's only for two players and you can only play versus Al, rather than other people - something that we hope the developer will reconsider. However, a lot of thought has gone into making the multiplayer a unique experience. This includes four special maps and a host of two-player moves such as giving your partner a leg-up, lowering each other down on ropes and a rather precarious flipping move, which is quite elegant when you've learnt how not to throw you partner into a wall.
Due to the superb Al in the game the multiplayer maps are actually a lot of fun, especially if you're in the same room as the person if you haven't got a headset it's going to be tricky to do otherwise. The maps present a genuine challenge and getting through them gives you a real sense of achievement -and even if you don't, then the flames that engulf you when you both fail to diffuse a bomb properly are really quite pretty.
With Double Agent stealthily worming its way towards us, and the new season of 24 just finishing or starting it's hard to keep track , what better time to release the latest in the neck-snapping series at the low, low price stated above? Featuring the most famous secret spy in the industry, Sam Fisher voted Third Echelon employee of the month twice , Chaos Theory is a fantastic game to both look at and play.
It's only been 18 issues since we gave the game a Classic award too, and even though we haven't seen a full-priced copy on the shelves in ages, the low, low price is still a tempting offer - especially as the game hasn't been bettered. It's still the best stealth experience around. It's also the only one we're aware of in which you can do that cool move where you pull a guy over a ledge. Everyone deserves to play this.
The News that the feverishly awaited by us anyway new Splinter Cell game had been delayed until next year sent shockwaves through all those expecting Fisher for Christmas. But take heart, as Ubisoft has given us some consolation with these amazing new screenshots, not to mention the announcement that the splendid Versus multiplayer game from Pandora Tomorrow is set to make a triumphant return.
If you played Pandora, you'll know this is very good news indeed, as the Spies vs Mercs multiplayer was a genuine revelation when it appeared earlier this year. Chaos Theory is set to expand upon the template, treating us to a bunch of new maps, manoeuvres, weapons and gadgets, including the devastating therm-optic camouflage suit seen on these pages.
There will also be a range of new hand-to-hand combat options and takedowns, as well as a completely new gameplay mode -Disk Hunt - in which the location of the objectives is randomised, which ought to give the maps a new level of intrigue. All this is in addition to Chaos Theory's other new multiplayer mode. Cooperative, which if anything looks even more compelling. We're literally climbing the walls in anticipation.
Instead, expect international espionage action complete with all the shifty shadows that's made the Splinter Cell franchise such a hit.
The big shift in Chaos Theory is that it's not such an incredibly linear experience anymore. You can tackle mission objectives a few different ways, opting either to be sneaky, silent, and not all that violent, or you can just throw caution to the wind and kill anyone and everyone you see. In a way, it helps offer a bit more freedom since Sam Fisher was usually under a no kill policy in the first two Splinter Cell titles, but now it's up to your discretion whether or not you want to dole out the punishment.
Sam Fisher no longer has to rely on his elbow of steel to take out alerted enemies; now, he has a knife, and boy, what a knife it is. Such a simple advancements makes a much bigger impact on the game than you would think; it does a lot to alleviate the sometimes-painful difficulty level found in the last two Splinter Cell titles, especially since it's rare where you're put into instances where one screw up will put your entire mission in jeopardy.
A few new maps and gadgetry have been thrown into the mix, but otherwise, it's the same thing - and by that, I mean it's a hell of a lot of fun. A decent tutorial mode will help sink newcomers into the experience as well. The versus mode may have the stole the show in Pandora Tomorrow, but the new co-op mode is the real star of the show in Chaos Theory.
Unlike most co-op modes found in other games, these co-op missions don't just throw another player into the mix of the single player game; no, the co-op missions are specifically tailored to take advantage of the interaction between the two players, so that in order to complete each mission, the two of you will have to stick together and, more importantly, work together. Unfortunately, the co-op mode comes to an abrupt end right where you think the climax of the game is about to begin, but even so, it's an absolute blast, online or off.
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