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I have to admit Ubi Soft has won me over as a fanboy ever since the
creation of the Rainbow Six series. Being a fan of Tom Clancy as
well as quality FPS titles; the two fit hand-in-hand. When I thought
the genre just couldn't get any better, Ghost Recon was released and
ended up being my "Game of the Year for 2001".
Now that Ghost Recon has two mission packs, the hype of Tom Clancy’s
latest development started to build about three months ago. I
downloaded just about every screen shot, scored as much hands-on
preview coverage as possible, and went as far as making a desktop
theme. Splinter Cell is one of those games that just gives me chills
thinking about it.
Rainbow Sixteen
For those who enjoy the hybrid FPS's that are miles
above Quake and Unreal as far as intelligence is concerned: Be
forewarned that Splinter Cell isn't at all similar to what you have
grown to love. Difference is a good thing, especially at the hands
of Clancy and Ubi Soft. This game is more in tune with one of the
latest genre of games: the "spy-mission" genre. The Metal Gear
series of games really set the standard for this type of game and
the recent Hitman 2: Silent Assassin complimented the genre
beautifully.
Now that you get an idea of where the game stands,
allow me now crush your preconceptions and save you the expense of
reading anymore reviews. I’ve been hooked from the moment I laid my
hands on the PC Beta copy of this a few months ago. And while I
almost always prefer the PC version of a game to a console, this
game is a rare exception. The XBOX does wonders for the game, and it
feels totally natural as far as the gameplay aspects are
concerned...
While most FPS can get away with little to no plot,
games such as Splinter Cell and Metal Gear build their foundation on
a sound, tangible storyline. To summarize the plot: (forgive me Mr.
Clancy) you are Sam Fisher, who works for a highly secretive branch
of the government called "Splinter Cell". Taken place in the year
2003, your mission (dubbed Third Echelon) is to find the whereabouts
of two missing agents and discover the mission critical data that
was passed between them.
Sure, it may sound like a bad episode of
"Alias", but in fact the story line pans out greater than anything
you can imagine. The story becomes so addictive and fits so snugly
with the gameplay that it felt like a good book that you just can't
put down.
Even with a storyline that oozes with style, the gameplay
is where the living heart of the game beats. Trigger-happy gamers
need not apply, for the soul of Splinter Cell wraps tightly around
accuracy, stealth and cat-like instincts. Each mission-based level
keeps pace with the Clancy games and is informative, direct and
realistic. Once briefed and sent into action, one must become
familiar with the overall impact of your character. The more you
understand the extent of your character, the better you’re going to
fare within the game. This isn't as easy as one may expect, simply
because there are literally dozens of weapons and gadgets available
to you. These "gadgets" play a crucial role in the productivity of
your mission. Many times I felt stuck at one point of the game, and
had to resort to some old-school Resident Evil tactics. What I mean,
is that the game takes some serious thought, and using certain items
(lock picks, fiber optics, cameras, disrupters, etc.) at the
appropriate time. Many gamers may feel the game runs a bit linear,
but you'll soon find out that this game is one the few that uses its
linear nature to its overall tenacity.
Since going undiscovered is
your main objective, using your bag of goodies takes some patience
as well as skill. Night vision goggles are nearly mandatory during
most levels, as well as the infrared goggles. Other small features
like placing hidden cameras in various locations and using
non-lethal weapons to stun an enemy truly bring the realism to a
whole new level. I'm almost embarrassed to admit this, but this is
one of the few games that I've played and felt the role so fiercely
that I was on edge even after I stopped the game. I'm not saying
that I want to be some secret government spy and snipe baddies.
(Public disclaimer) I will say that the game truly puts you so close
to the action that I can't imagine it being any more real. Again,
imagine taking your favorite book and playing it...
As far as
gameplay goes, there are two huge determining factors that make this
game unique and better anything in its class. The first is overall
movement. Moving Sam around is simplistic in nature, but complex
when using him to his fullest extent. He can crawl, lean, bend,
climb and rotate 360-degrees. The fluidity of his movements are
unmatched. Complimenting this is the amazing use of camera angles.
(My second point) If Splinter Cell has set a new standard for
anything, it has to be the use of the camera. The revolutionary
camera is controlled totally by you. At first it may seem to be a
bit enigmatic and quirky, but once accustomed to it, it becomes just
as much a part of the gameplay as your primary weapon. Strategically
using the camera angles will help to point out specific enemy
locations and positional placement. It is refreshing to finally find
a game that utilizes effective camera angles within gameplay. When
compared to the camera in Metal Gear, it honestly shatters it in
every aspect.
Your main weapon is a 5.56mm SC-20K AR which is
totally customizable for any imaginable scenario. It can be used as
a high-powered, long-range sniper rifle; or it can be used as your
standard assault rifle. Enabling the silencer is a must, and the
impact of the variety of ammunition is as real as it gets. When more
melee is needed, equip your SC-20K with a grenade launcher. Looking
to subdue a group of enemies? Load up your gas grenades. Your
secondary weapon, a standard 5.72mm SC pistol is great for close
range stealth tactics.
For those who thrive off of realism, expect
the enemy AI to satisfy your thirst. What I really liked about the
AI was that it actually showed signs of true intelligence. Many
times AI can be classified as either too hard (which really isn't
good AI) or as zombies. In Ghost Recon, those Georgians had some mad
skills and if you poked your head out of a bush you were toast.
While you don't want to gallop in broad daylight in SC, most enemies
act naturally. If you are stupid enough to run around in the open,
you deserve to die; but you will die in a wave of bullets. The AI is
quite solid, believable and challenging.
To wrap up my thoughts on
gameplay, I can summarize it all up with one word: Interactivity.
The interaction between the player, Sam and the controls form a
symbiotic relationship that few games have yet achieved. Things like
retinal scanners, fingerprint id's and sticky cameras will keep you
spitting adrenaline on this 14 mission romp.
Is this my XBOX or my
PC?
Visually, the game has the ingredients of making it the best
looking game of the year. What makes Splinter Cell so much more
visually appealing than the rest of the lot? Simple: Lighting
effects. I can't tell you how many times I died simply because I
hesitated too long to take in the lighting effects. The shadowing,
fog and light directions are not only drop-dead gorgeous… it also
plays a huge role in the overall strategy of the game.
At first
glance, the game has an almost Resident Evil/pre-rendered feel. Once
you lay your hands on the controller, you will soon discover that
this isn't like anything you've seen before. I'm not stating that
the visuals are the best of show, but the way it plays into the game
is simply brilliant without relying on eye-candy and token
novelties. The visuals are going to easily draw in a huge crowd, but
anyone willing to undertake the experience will find that the
graphics simply mix perfectly into the gameplay like Irish cream and
coffee.
I guess one could say that the audio in Clancy games isn’t
exactly your standard fare for shoot-em-up video games. I agree, and
the audio is yet another way the realism plays its role in the
effectiveness of your game. You won't hear any techno tunes, or
over-powering grunts coming from headless zombies; but what you will
hear are shells pinging against glass, muffled footsteps of
unsuspecting enemies and the echoing of condensation from the pipe
above you. If realism is what you want, expect to be blown away.
I've got to give it to Ubi Soft here again, the weapon sounds are
top-notch and of the highest quality. Everything from the loading,
cocking and discharge of the weapons seem to be exact duplicates of
their real-life counterparts.
66 Says:
It's been a long summer, and the draught of
mediocre gaming is finally over. The Splinter Cell flood is here, so
break out the wineglasses. I haven't been this excited about a title
since Ghost Recon last year,
and I've already admitted to being a fanboy. This release just adds
even more depth to the solid line-up of Clancy games.
While I've yet to hook up with the Xbox Live! service, Splinter Cell
is one of the first that already dynamically interacts with the
player. Downloadable features and items are going to be available,
yet the hope of a multiplayer mode is only a flicker compared to the
vast single player mode.
I can't say this is the longest game I've played; but I've
personally clocked in dozens of hours on the game just taking in all
the goodness that it reeks of. First time though (if you don't rush)
will take you about 15-20 hours to complete. It's tough to recommend
this as a rental, for the replay is off the charts. Wanting to go
back through just to soak up the detail makes this game well worth
the price of admission.
I'm officially nominating this as one of the top contenders for game
of the year. My biggest fear? Other consoles. I don't think the PS2
version could keep up with the muscle the game requires, and the
Gamecube; I'm concerned with the control issues. For now, if you
have an XBOX I highly recommend purchasing this as a wonderful
supplement to Halo and Ghost Recon.
I hope you enjoy the game half as much as I did...
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