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SPLINTER CELL
Ok. I review games on this site. I think we’ve all realized that by now. I’m also really into games and play them a lot, as I’m sure most of you can deduce. However, I think I’ve done a good job of not being sucked into this fanboy inter-console sniping. Any gaming board you read, you’ll have a thread 252 replies long between “XBOXMASTR4” and “PS2L33TGAMR9” over which console has the higher framerate and realtime lighting capacity. It’s miserable. Get a life, you tools. For the record, gaming isn’t the only hobby I have where I vehemently disassociate myself with most of the people that are into it as well (I’m looking at YOU Lord of the Rings...and YOU TOO, comic books). Honestly, I don’t give a fuck which console has a better capability for real-time lighting effects, blah blah blah. If it’s fun, I’ll fucking play it. I’m just lucky enough to have access to an Xbox now after being PS2 exclusive for like 3 years.
Well, since I now have access to Xbox, the first game I got was Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell. I’m sure most of you have heard how SC is the next level of stealth gaming, the Metal Gear Solid killer, etc. etc. Well....maybe.
You are Sam Fisher, a bad ass super spy called out of retirement for one last mission by a new branch of the National Security Agency called Third Echelon. Basically, you go into hostile territory (Russia, China, etc) and either assassinate some key player or recover important information, all without being seen. The “stealth” style of gameplay is pulled off really well here. The core mechanic of the game is moving from light to dark in order to stay as covert as possible. An onscreen meter tells the player how visible or invisible they are to passing guards and cameras. If the meter’s all the way to the right, you’re invisible. If it’s to the left, run for your life. You’re about to have a shotgun enema. With the power of the Xbox console (yeah, fuck you fanboys) Ubi Softs developers were able to pull off some STUNNING light and shadow effects with slivers of light spilling through venetian blinds or holes in the walls.
Furthermore, Fisher has some fucking cool weapons and gadgets to help accomplish his missions. You start off with just a 9mm silenced pistol in the first few missions. This really helps you get into the “stealth” mindset mainly because if you’re caught you’d have better luck throwing spitballs at the guards. As you progress though, you’ll be equipped with a kick-ass assault rifle/all purpose launcher. This thing is not only silenced, and fully automatic, but is equipped with a sniper scope. Not too fucking shabby. It also has the ability to launch some non-lethal projectiles as well as..get this...SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS. Yes, you can launch a camera around the fucking corner to see what’s coming in real time. Not only that, but there are also DISTRACTION CAMERAS. Meaning, they do the same thing except that as you watch the guard go past (through the camera lens of course) you can attract them over with a little noise. Once next to the camera you can gas and knock them out. Kickass. The lock-picking sequences also have to be seen to be believed. The way the player actually has to pick the lock themselves through movement of joysticks have to be experienced first hand.
Unfortunately, there had to be a bit of a downside to Splinter Cell. My obsessive ass got through all 9 levels in about 4 days. So, for some of you this means rental only. For most of you people that have a job and a life however, I’d highly suggest picking the game up and taking your time going through it. Also, once you’ve finished it, there’s really not much point to going through it a second time. Although you may not realize it your first run through, the game is pretty linear and leads you from point A to point B rather easily. After that, it’s kind of like going through the Haunted Mansion in Disney World the second time. Once you see the strings hanging that fucking ghost off of the ceiling, it really kind of loses its luster. Either way, if you have access to an Xbox, you absolutely must experience this game one way or another.
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