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Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell for Xbox Videos >>
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell for Xbox
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Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell for Xbox
133 reviews   4.54 of 5

Product Description

Summary

Why am I reviewing a game that is 1.5 years old? Because I'm way behind on the level of gaming that I used to do (darn you career and marriage) and also Splinter Cell sat on my shelf for months and months while I played Star Wars: KOTOR. I'm just happy I went back to it instead of buying a new game. This review is for any Xbox owners who haven't played Splinter Cell yet or gamers interested in Splinter Cell who are thinking about buying an Xbox. Splinter Cell is a game that you need to stick with for a little while longer than you want to...then you really start to fun with the game. The levels range from moderately challenging to pull out my hair/don't know what to do/this level is going to take me all week to get through difficult. Even with the challenge that some of the levels present, the feeling of achievement is great after finishing the level. And then going back and acing that level again is an even better feeling and is fun as heck. The graphics and sound are excellent, best I've seen so far on the Xbox and this game is 1.5 years old. The level of detail that went into the enemy AI and the environments will also impress you. There are a few things about the AI that I don't like and will cover later, but for the most part the developers did an awesome job. Controls have a little learning curve to them but it's not that bad and somewhere in the second or third mission you should have a good grasp and feel comfortable with them. All in all one of the best games on the system...still.

Sound

Pretty good. Good voice acting and sound effects.

Gameplay

Like I stated above the controls take a little getting used to but at the point that I'm at now in the game, it's like a second language and the layout of the controls is actually very good. Where some may have trouble is just in the number of things that Sam Fisher can do and when in the levels is a good time to use the moves. All the levels that I've played so far have been large and fairly well layed-out. Levels are broken up into checkpoints which are well placed. Very seldom is there a checkpoint followed by three or more difficult sections and then a checkpoint. A lot of the sections of the levels will need to be tried and tried again until figuring out a good way of passing through unnoticed or how to KO a well placed guard. You find out fairly quickly that there is a time and place for sneak and KO, or distract and sneak by, or the shoot out the lights and KO or sneak by. The game does keep you on your toes though and doesn't feel repetitive with the situations that it offers later in the game, which is good. The enemy AI is pretty good. There are times when you are surprised the little noise you made was noticed and other times will wonder why the guard walked within one foot from you and didn't notice you. Which is one of my complaints with the AI, if you're not in the path of the enemy character and in the dark they won't notice you even if they walk by pretty closely, but if you're in the path of the enemy they'll notice you when they get three or four feet away from you even if you're in the dark. Small annoyance but it would be nice to be able to just grab them and pull them into the darkness instead of having to get out of their way or find a spot to where they will have their back turned so you can grab them. Which is one other complaint, you have to be directly behind a character to grab them. Kind of annoying especially if you run into them. But this is all part of the challenge of the game and doesn't take away from any of the fun. One last annoyance with the AI is with the guards that come running after you've been spotted. You could get spotted by a guard, run into a dark alley and kill him when he follows and then hide and if a guard came running into that alley even though you were hidden they'd know where you are and shoot directly at you. Encountered this a couple of times, again not a big deal but a little annoying. Enough on this though. In summary the AI is challenging and fun when you beat it. Not sure what else to add. The Palm PDA screen that pops up when you hit start is very helpful. It collects important information like door codes or other pieces of info that can help you pass the next section of the level. My only gripe is that there isn't really a map showing you where you need to go...but I suppose that could of taken away from some of the reality of the game. But it sure would have helped on several occasions where I didn't know what I was suppose to do. The story of Splinter Cell gets ripped on a lot and I don't know the whole story yet but if there is one thing that I've learned from reading reviews or forum posts from avid gamers is that they tend to exaggerate smaller things on very good games (ie the graphics on Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and the buggy gameplay of GTA3 and Vice City). That's my conclusion with the story complaints. It's really not that bad, but kind of gets lost as you struggle through missions.
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Sound

The sounds is great, when in different levels you can hear things like guards talking, your own heart beat when looking through the scope. it's great I cant explain it is so great. You need to go out and at least rent this game and try it. I did it was awesome, it can get tough at times but it just makes you think that much more.

Gameplay

The game play is great the controls are extremely easy to understand and learn quickly. They put a training level in the game that teaches you how to do everything from picking locks to using stealth in a way never used in a video game. When you start the first mission and you make your first kill whether it is by stealth or by a weapon you are hooked and the story line in great. It takes place in a believable near future in the weapons that they give and the kinda of terrorism that is happening in the game. Once you get the rifle, sticky shockers and the diversion camar you are hooked
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Summary

Wow. Talk about overrated. People say that this is a reason to get the X-Box, well think again, it's on all systems, and if you did get a version of this game, get the PS2 or GCN version. The only reason people love this game so much is that until recently, it was a game that was only for X-Box. Well not anymore folks. I see people compare this game to MGS2, MGS2 is heads over heals better, the game play is more fast pace, it has a better storyline with *gasp!* dialogue! You can't even say MGS2 is less stealthy, in that game you are invading a base in the daylight, so you can't sneak around in the dark. I hate it when you shoot someone in the head, it doesn’t kill them, and you have to unload a couple of shells into someone’s skull before they bite the dust. They needed to have more drastic aspects of the game play, in MGS2 you have to go in the daylight, and your guy can do a lot more moves.
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Sound

I liked the dolby digital sound on the game. You can here foot steps of the guards behind, which makes a good heads up and allow to hide. The sound track is very good, specialy the last level.

Gameplay

Here where you hate the game or like it. Developers want's you to stick in the shadows, be patient and not storm your way through enemies. This makes the gameplay a little slow and you may hate it.
This game has realy unique weapon and gadgets, but the down fall is ammo. Ammo is very limmited, as well as gadgets. You wish you have more ammo, or atleast more than just an elbow hit as a melee attack. Specially when you are low or out of ammo.
Although Sam Fisher has a very unique movements and abilities, you barely use them. The level design is very good, but I wish it's more interactive like Metal Gear Solid 2, where you hide bodies in lockers and hold up enemies.
Speaking about enemeies, they are tough. There no easy level, so you can't work your way up, just normal and hard. Patience is your only way to victory here. There is a very slight chance to get an enemy of guard. So, you have to be quick and silent at the same time. Funny enough, sometimes you shoot a guy on the head and the AI reaction is "ouch" and he discovers you and then your dead within seconds!
Bottom line, the game is some what real, but not getting everything from the start, may let some gamers away from this title.
Pros:
Great Graphics
Unique story and settings
Cons:
Very tough A.I.
Limited ammo and gadgets
only one melee attack !
Pistol error , make the headshot almost
immposible!
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Summary

I've had this lousey game in my collection now for many months and I've tried as hard as I can to enjoy or even like it, but every time I put this game in and begin playing it, it makes me wonder why in hell I've kept this waste so long!
So now as soon as I can I'm going to trade this garbage for whatever I can get.
There is nothing in this game that I can find interesting......NOTHING!
It's not a good shooter, or a driver, or a flyer, or an action game, and the "story" blows. I could go on but I think you get the point.(most people I know who play video games regularly are playing to escape the everyday boredom of real life. You know "there's nothing else to do...let's play a video game") so this lame, put you to sleep downer is sure to put you in a coma...
Those who find this game (if you can call it a game) "thrilling" or "fantastic" or how about "the best game on Xbox" should seek medical attention right away. They may need to change their prescription.
This thing is a turd. I guess I've kept it so long because of the half a Bill ($50.00) I dropped for it and I hate throwing money away but that's exactly what I did when I bought Splinter Cell.
I liked Hitman 2 alot even though the graphics weren't all that good, but at least Hitman 2 had action and some kind of a story that made sense. Splinter Cell has NOTHING. Hitman 2 was a stealth game as well and it was wonderful compared to this dud.
Splinter Cell relied heavily on superior graphics to push the gaming public's buttons.
It's a weird fact that Clancy's Ghost Recon has poor graphics but excelent gameplay. On the other hand Splinter Cell has terrific graphics and simply awful gameplay yet so many people are fixated on Splinter Cell.
The primatives were fascinated by shiny things too. Apparantly they still are but now they have Xbox's.
Rent this game B4 you even think about buying it.
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Sound

Well, if your consider a man picking at his crotch, sound, well, then, go see my friend Mangatdika and join him in eating Jujubies with Mrs. Swan who's probably still tellin' that cop that the guy who robbed her house up until now, "he.....lookie like a man."


To add to my comment, this game ripped off Ultimate Mortal kombat three's intro starting screen music when it gives that creepy "dong" noise at the starting screen. Oh, and if you wonder how that relates to T.C.S.C., I meant when you get caught by licorice-eatin fruitcakes.

Gameplay

The guy looks like he broke a nail when he runs.
It takes too long to get the crosshair to point at the enemy, and even then (like for the PS2 for example)it takes up to maybe four-five shots just to make the dude to fall on the floor.When Sam gets shot, his life bar depletes by half and, well, if you didn't get what I just said, read this sentence over about five times.
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Summary

Yup, I have to agree.. so far, this is THE most fun I've had with my Xbox. If you're suffering from 'isn't-Halo-just-another-FPS' syndrome and long for something a little more thoughtful to play, this could well be it.

The way I see it, the 'sneaking game' genre is still in its infancy. Games like Thief, Metal Gear Solid and Hitman started it all off fairly recently. Theres always been a market for this type of game (anyone remember the sneaking sections of Infiltrator 2 back in the 80s?) but its only recently that computer game graphics and, more importantly perhaps, artificial intelligence has been up to the job of giving such games sufficient depth.

The point clearly illustrated by Splinter Cell is that a good sneaker requires a working relationship between graphics, sound and gameplay. Graphics don't just have to look good, you have to be able to interact with your surroundings, use the lighting to conceal yourself, hide behind objects and tackle obstacles. Likewise, sound should be modelled realistically.. so you can hear where the enemy is from there footsteps, and so you can conceal your own sounds in whatever ambient noise might be present. As well as all this, the AI of your opponents should be convincing, yet predictable enough to thwart. The design of the levels should also offer a varied, challenging sneaking experience without becoming overly frustrating, difficult or relient on gunplay.

For the sneaking game genre, Splinter Cell significantly raises the bar in terms of graphics and sound and there integration into the gameplay. That alone makes it a good game. Whilst the AI doesn't seem significantly cleverer than in similar games, it does have more variables to cope with here because of the lighting effects. Level design is perhaps the games major weak point. Although there are a few absolutely cracking levels, there are also some real downers which let the side down somewhat.

In general though, Splinter Cell should be considered State-of-the-Art as far as the sneaking genre goes. If this is the shape of things to come, I can't wait to see what comes next!

Sound

Likewise, sound is good.. because it damn well has to be. There is often no way to sense that enemies are aware of your presence other than a change in music or hearing there muttered comments. There are no floating icons above peoples heads here.. you just have to play with the sound on full.

If you have surround sound, or even a decent stereo, you need to crank up the sound to get the most out of it. When you do, you'll suddenly realise how useful it is to be able to tell exactly where those footsteps/gunshots/cries of alarm are coming from. If there is one critisism here its that some of the guards expressions can be comically repetetive. Again, its not a killer problem, but definately an area of improvement.

Gameplay

The good news is that the game engine is truly stunning in what it can do. You play Sam Fischer, a tough old Field Op. for an NSA splinter cell called (If I remember right) third echelon.. yes, its all very Tom Clancy. But honestly the amount of plot is actually kept to the minimum required. It gives you an excuse to sneak around various locales.. but it doesn't jump up and hit you in the face with hour-long cut scenes to break the flow of play either.

The action is set in the very near future.. wich means the designers couldn't really get away with using MGS style radars. Instead, they've given you much more control over the camera, and given the bad guys realistic head movements. You can tell which way a bad guy is looking by simply seeing where his eyes are pointing.

The interface is generally flawless, but I'd like to add my only complaint here, and thats that I'd have really appreciated a focus zoom, like in ghost recon. As things are, its unrealistically tricky to see what the bad guys are up to some distance away. Unless Sam is suffering from old age and actually is myopic.

Theres a range of cool (and mostly useful) gadjets to play with ranging from lockpicks to explosives to two types of silenced firearm (capable of firing a variety of lethal and non-lethal ammunition). Sam can also pick up any loose objects lying around to use them as distractions when thrown. You can also interact with other people in a number of ways. You can talk to freindly characters or grab enemies if you're close enough. Once grabbed, an enemy can be dragged about, used to open biometrically locked doors, interrogated (only available on key personel, as its usually in order to further the storyline) or simply knocked unconsious. Incapacitated foes can also be dragged about, which is handy as bodies lying around in obvious places tend to raise alarms. In a curious omission, its not possible to put bodies in things like closets.. a crying shame.

There is a kind of 'stealth meter' displayed constantly on the interface that tells you how 'visible' you are based on how much light is falling on you. This basically dictates how close an enemy has to be before he spots you. Enemies also respond to how much noise you make.. if you crouch and move very slowly you can move silently around.

All this sound great.. but whats it like to play? Well picture this..

You're making your way along a dimly lit corridor towards your objective. Moving at a reasonable pace but crouching to stay quiet and keeping out of direct light. Up ahead you see a guard moving around under a pool of light. You quickly dive behind cover. Making sure you're well clocked in shadows, you switch to your sniper rifle and use the scope to get a better look at him. Damn, he's looking down the corridor towards you and theres no chance of simply avoiding conflict. You wiegh up the options: At this range, its possible to take him out with a single head shot. Theres a good chance of missing though and you don't want him screaming for his buddies after your bullets grazed is ear. Theres some drinks cans lying around nearby that could be used as some sort of distraction, but your still too visible.. Finally committing yourself to a plan, you take a shot at the light above your head. Your immediate surroundings become pitch black, and your stealthy rating drops to zero. You flick on your nightvision in time to notice that the sudden expiry of the light in your area has piqued the guards curiosity. Maybe he thinks he can change the lightbulb or, more likely, thinks there might be foul play at work. You crouch there in the darkness.. watching the guard as he passes just a few feet in front of your position, totally unaware of your presence. He stops directly under the light, very close nearby. You wait.. holding your breath.. any moment he could accidentally bump into you. He finally turns his back, scratching his head. You creep up behind him.. slowly.. hoping he doesn't move before you can get in range.. it seems to take forever. When he's close enough you grab him and administer a sharp blow to the base of his neck. He goes down. Another one waking up in a few hours with a headache.. you hide the body in a dark corner where its unlikely his buddies will find it in a hurry and coninue on your way.

I'm not kidding either.. that sort of thing happens all the time. The game is full of suspense ridden, nail biting, action of exactly the sort you see in a good movie or read about in a gripping action thriller. Theres always plenty of options available to you as well.. the guy who said this game was like a non-interactive movie is seriously lacking in creativity.

Unfortunately.. the designers seem to have underestimated the sheer fun of the sneaking game. In an unesessary attempt to vary the action there are a few simply awful 'platform' sections, where you have to use Sams odd style of jumping to get around obstacles. It would be different if this was better integrated into the sneaking parts of the game, but as it is it just seems like an obvious attempt to make the game more accessable. Really though.. if people wanted this kind of action they'd have bought tombraider.

Another minor gripe is that later levels often rely too heavily on shooting your way through them. The best levels in this game, that I'll be playing over after I've completed it, are the non-lethal ones where you're not allowed to kill anyone.
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Sound

From what i remember had no gripes with the sound.

Gameplay

This game is not all bad its just i got bored with it. Maybe it was the repetitive gameplay or the lack of variety in taking out the opposition. I dont know what it was but i was wondering wwhat was so great about it. I wish the game was a little more flexible but pretty much its just checkpoint to checkpoint. Also there is only like one way to take people out(using stelth) you knock them on the head with your elbow, thats it. You can grab only certain characters and interogate them, pretty much the game dictates who you can do this to. I would have liked to maybe break a guys neck or some variety not just the elbow move. You can shoot guys in certain levels but really the game would like you to use more stealth cause the guns arent as accurate as a trained commrade should be. It was kind of cool just finding your way through the levels very real world looking. Hoping through windows and climbing down the sides of building. But still you can only do this when the game tells you you can do this. Not enough freedom. But the atmosphere of the game is awesome. Still with all the limitations with the gameplay i found my self more bored and frusterated and having fun. Still an average game in my opiionion im not gonna give it live a one. Cause its an alright game, just i feel its overrated for all the praise its gotten
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Summary

Splinter Cell and Metal Gear 2 seem to be everybody's favorite stealth games. I've completed both games and I really like both of them but to say which game is the better one, is like asking which female looks better, Jennifer Lopez or Roselyn Sanchez. Its hard to pick one. One thing is for sure you can't go wrong with either one. Their both great pieaces of a... I mean their both excellent games. If I had to say which game is the better one it would be Splinter Cell. To me Splinter Cell is the most realistic and probalby hardest game I've ever played. The only game I can think of that is extremely realistic and diffilcult is The Getaway for PS2. That game is a little bit too real but anyway Splinter Cell is game based on nothing but stealthy, from begin to end. There's no other way to play this game. This game is all about patience,patience, and more patience. So if your expecting a game with gun blazing action you'll be very disappointed. This game has very little gun play action some people find that boring cause their not into slow paced, no gun play action games. I on the other hand love everything in Splinter Cell its the best game on the market today. Why, It takes gaming experience to another level that no game so far has been able to do. This is not your typical shoot this, shoot that and move on to the next level type game. I'v played all the cool recent games that are out for Xbox,PS2, and Gamecube. Splinter Cell's graphics,gameplay,gadgets,sound,level design, and overall experience blew my mind, I couldn't believe I was playing a video game. Its amazing what I was playing ten years ago compared to now. I'm pretty sure most people prefer video games that are fun and have non stop action, mostly importantly they take your mind out of the real world you live and place it in a fictional world where you can do the unthinkable. Does Splinter Cell do that hell's no. It does more than that.
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Sound

I am not a sound guru, but it was good enough for me. Everything sounded authentic. The only thing I didn't like was the voice-acting

Gameplay

The gameplay is Splinter-Cell's weakest link. While the stealth portions of the game are very realistic, in some cases it seems more like a simulator than a game.
While this is not an action oriented game there are points in the game when you are forced to go into action mode. Unfortunately the action is Splinter-Cell stinks. Using a gun is uncessarily difficult and using your fists is even harder. Literally you can run up to a soldier and punch him in the head, the soldier will turn around and shoot you several times before you can pull off another punch. Whatever happened to the quick one-two? While MGS was arcadey it had better action than the more realistic Splinter-Cell.