Gaming Target - PlayStation 2: Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell

Written by Adam Woolcott on May 09, 2003

Full Review: Seems that Danny Ocean has advanced from robbing mere casinos, eh?

For Xbox owners in 2002, the most anticipated game for that console was easily Splinter Cell Ц and really, it wasn't surprising, since not only was SC to be loaded with sneaky stealth action, it brought along some of the most amazing visuals ever seen on a game system. Despite only carrying the lucrative name of Tom Clancy (or perhaps thanks to?) on the box, and no franchise history behind it, Splinter Cell went on to sell over 1 million copies Ц an astounding number given the install base of the Xbox at the time.

Just a few months later now, Splinter Cell has moved along from Xbox-exclusivity, as it's made its way to the other two consoles, as well as the Game Boy Advance. Most especially with the PlayStation 2, the question was raised Ц just how would Ubi Soft take the amazing graphics of the high powered Xbox and make them work in some fashion on the older, less advanced PS2? Perhaps developer Ubi Soft Shanghai should just say УmagicФ, because Splinter Cell for the PS2 is, despite being a tad rough around the edges, very good looking Ц while it's definitely not as nice looking as the Xbox version, it doesn't look horrible in comparison either. Visuals aside, the important thing is the preservation of the gameplay, and Ubi nailed that right on the head, as SC maintains all the gameplay nuances and gadgets to the letter, making a classic Xbox game just as outstanding on the PlayStation 2 Ц once again showing that great gameplay has no bounds to an individual game console.

Splinter Cell, for the most part, is the story of Sam Fisher Ц a grizzled former spy who carries an uncanny resemblance to George Clooney. Fisher is thrown into УThe Information CrisisФ, on a covert operation to infiltrate former Soviet state Georgia to stop a terrorist war before it starts. However, Fisher winds up going to many different locales, such as China, and even the CIA building in the US, for a total of 10 different missions, one of which is brand new and exclusive to the PlayStation 2. All the while Fisher has one goal in mind besides the eventual goal Ц that being to do all his dirty work out of sight, and out of mind from the enemy.

While Splinter Cell has faced the inevitable Metal Gear Solid comparison, SC can boast that the stealth-based tactics are well above what MGS has demonstrated in the past. While you could easily play MGS with guns blazing and a distinct lack of sneaking around, this isn't possible in Splinter Cell Ц some levels moreso, when you aren't allowed to kill anyone. Even if you can, ammo is limited and health is just as scarce, forcing you to play the game as sneaky as possible. More than any other game, Splinter Cell not only touts stealth as a gameplay element; it emphasizes it to the letter.

Admittedly, the stealth-based gameplay does sometimes fall into a trial and error trap, which will turn off a particular gamer. Many times, you'll have to re-do different areas once you figure out the right trick Ц which will either annoy or enthrall. What is annoying is a select breed of УSave checkpointsФ and УQuick checkpointsФ Ц sometimes you get to save at a spot, but other times it just gives a checkpoint that loads after you mess up, but if you turn off the system you lose it. As much as I don't want this review to fall into a comparison trap, the Xbox version let you save at every checkpoint, and I don't see why the PS2 couldn't do this as well. On the bright site, the checkpoints are well-placed and plentiful enough so that it doesn't seem like you're getting screwed, especially given the difficulty of the game.

What Splinter Cell can boast though, despite the trial and error based gameplay, is the different ways you can accomplish a goal. While you don't have 100 percent freedom, most obstacles can be overcome by multiple means, be it through aggression, pure sneakiness, or one of the special gadget tricks that Fisher can employ. This variety in tactics makes what could be a repetitive game into something a lot more interesting, and it increases replay value as well, if you're into being as sneaky as possible without alerting yourself to people you don't want alerted to your presence.

As said, Splinter Cell comes with an array of gadgets, from basic guns to sticky shockers, and everything in between. The most important tool is the optic cable, which lets you see what's behind the door you're about to enter. You might also need to pick that lock, and SC has a pair of methods for that Ц a disposable pick that's scattered around the levels, though scarce, and the traditional lock picking way of things. This is handled with the right analog stick, spinning it around until you pick the lock slowly Ц some are easier than others, and usually the longer it takes, the more valuable the contents behind the door.

Ubi did a great job translating the controls to the PS2 pad Ц while it's a little different at first, it ends up being quite intuitive and takes advantage of the button placement of the Dual Shock. All the great special moves that Fisher can pull off Ц leaping, crouching, rolling, hanging off a zip line, and of course, the split jump, are extremely easy to pull off. Lining up the precision aim, as well as holding your breath for an accurate shot is also incredibly uncomplicated and rewarding when you pull it off.

Splinter Cell is not an easy game Ц though once you master stealth techniques, you'll get better. Fact is, despite all the gadgets and weapons, the best trick is just plain hiding in the dark, hoping nobody sees you. If this means shooting out the lights and destroying video cameras, then you have to do it. It doesn't help that civilians scattered around the levels tend to freak out and run to the nearest guard, so you can't just wander by them and expect nothing to happen. Using the shadows and the built in night and heat vision goggles is your best ally, with force being the final and most extreme option. That said, if you have an itchy trigger finger, Splinter Cell is not the game for you. This one emphasizes patience and tactics, and it does it as well as you could possibly imagine Ц the difficulty can be bothersome, especially later and on levels where you don't have a kill option (such as the CIA building level). For patient gamers though, Splinter Cell will be a great stealth experience.

The visuals of Splinter Cell have always been the focal point of the PS2 version Ц for good reason. However, the PS2 conversion of SC is extremely nice, and one of the best demonstrations of whatever power the PS2 has left. The all important things like shadows for hiding have been retained Ц though in many levels the lighting has been УfakedФ or changed around from the original version Ц but if you haven't played that original version, it won't really matter. The important stuff like darkness is perfect and it comes off very well.

The other parts are a bit easier to pull off Ц Fisher himself looks great and maintains all the great animations for his actions. The levels are highly detailed with cool touches that you can find if you have time to putz around with things. It's a bit rough around the edges, but no matter, it's one of the PS2's best looking games.

To go along with the rest of the high-quality aspects of SC, the audio presentation also is one to applaud. Beginning with the voice acting, which is pretty decent, and maintains a serious tone instead of falling into a satirical laughathon. Most notably Sam Fisher is voiced by Michael Ironside (GTA Vice City gets Liotta, Splinter gets Ironside...well Ironside was cool in Total Recall anyway), and does a good job portraying Fisher as...well...a pretty boring guy who's matter of factly and any attempts at humor are so deadpan that it almost fails to be amusing.

The soundtrack was composed by The Chemical Brothers, so you know you'll get a nu-age techno track to play along to. The game uses dynamic musical tricks too, so when the action heats up, the music gets louder and more forceful, and once the threat is over the music hits the background & plods along until the next conflict. It's more of an aural clue to hint that you're in trouble and you're out of trouble, but it's well done.

Finally, the strongest effect is the little nuances that make a stealth game great. This is, the little noises you make if you're not careful. See, when you're walking along grating, I'd suggest being quiet, as it will make a noise to alert guards. Same on creaky wood, or worse, walking on broken glass. All these little tricks are well reproduced in the game, and becomes something to be wary of if you're irresponsible.

While most games use audio and visuals as an enhancement to the game, Splinter Cell makes them part of the game, making the time used on graphics & sounds well spent, as without these excellent features, Splinter Cell would be just another dull Metal Gear ripoff, when instead it winds up in a class of its own.