Indeed, "Splinter Cell: Conviction" does more than just signify Sam Fisher's return to the gaming scene -- it marks Fisher's return to greatness.
Sam Fisher and I go way back. Over the years, we've traveled to exotic locations, met some memorable people and saved the world on more than one occasion.
Oh sure, we've had our share of problems. Like the time he went undercover to infiltrate that terrorist organization. Ugh, what a disaster that career decision turned out to be. To make matters worse, Sam practically went into hiding in the years after his turn as a double-agent, and I only saw brief glimpses of him at big media events.
But through all the ups and downs, I've had Sam's back, never doubting that one day we would again be best buds. Well, I recently welcomed Sam back into my home in "Splinter Cell: Conviction" and, after a few awkward moments, was able to reconnect with one of my favorite gaming characters of all time.
In no time at all, we were sneaking, stalking and shooting just like old times. It was almost like he had never left in the first place. And when Sam introduced me to the two friends he brought with him, a pair of chatty super-spies named Kestrel and Archer, the party really started.
Indeed, "Splinter Cell: Conviction" does more than just signify Sam Fisher's return to the gaming scene -- it marks Fisher's return to greatness.
"Conviction" picks up not long after the events of "Double-Agent," with Sam on the run from the government and his former employer, Third Echelon. He is soon located by a former Third Echelon associate and drawn back into a high-stakes game of international espionage. Only this time, Sam isn't interested in saving the world -- he's looking for answers and those responsible for the death of his daughter.
That's one of the many notable changes in "Conviction." We've grown accustomed to seeing Sam as the ultimate company man, programmed to carry out orders and not ask questions. But recent events have left Fisher a changed man, an angry man. In "Conviction," he's more like Jason Bourne and less like James Bond. You can hear this change in the superb audio delivered by Michael Ironside, who has voiced Fisher from the beginning, and feel it in the gameplay itself, which now features more hand-to-hand combat and brutal interrogations.
In addition to Sam's new attitude, "Conviction" offers several other alterations to the classic "Splinter Cell" formula. Sam moves faster and is more agile that we've seen him before. Enemies converge on your last known position, which is now shown onscreen by a silhouette, thus making it easier to lure them into a trap. While there is still a premium on stealth, "Conviction" also features more gunplay than past games in the series. During one flashback level, stealth is practically nonexistent, which turns the game into a straightforward third-person shooter. While I certainly prefer sticking to the shadows, I was relieved to see that the shooting mechanics are tight and the new cover system works flawlessly. The new Mark and Execute system, which lets you target multiple enemies at once and then automatically score killshots on command, works as advertised but isn't something that can be easily abused. In fact, I probably used it less than a dozen times during the course of the single-player campaign.
The campaign is relatively short, clocking in at well under 10 hours. And while the story that serves as the backdrop for the action isn't exactly memorable, it is told in a cool way through a series of flashbacks that are displayed on walls during the course of the game. This projection-style storytelling eliminates the need for many cutscenes and helps keep the action flowing, which is always a good thing.
Sam Fisher and I go way back. Over the years, we've traveled to exotic locations, met some memorable people and saved the world on more than one occasion.
Oh sure, we've had our share of problems. Like the time he went undercover to infiltrate that terrorist organization. Ugh, what a disaster that career decision turned out to be. To make matters worse, Sam practically went into hiding in the years after his turn as a double-agent, and I only saw brief glimpses of him at big media events.
But through all the ups and downs, I've had Sam's back, never doubting that one day we would again be best buds. Well, I recently welcomed Sam back into my home in "Splinter Cell: Conviction" and, after a few awkward moments, was able to reconnect with one of my favorite gaming characters of all time.
In no time at all, we were sneaking, stalking and shooting just like old times. It was almost like he had never left in the first place. And when Sam introduced me to the two friends he brought with him, a pair of chatty super-spies named Kestrel and Archer, the party really started.
Indeed, "Splinter Cell: Conviction" does more than just signify Sam Fisher's return to the gaming scene -- it marks Fisher's return to greatness.
"Conviction" picks up not long after the events of "Double-Agent," with Sam on the run from the government and his former employer, Third Echelon. He is soon located by a former Third Echelon associate and drawn back into a high-stakes game of international espionage. Only this time, Sam isn't interested in saving the world -- he's looking for answers and those responsible for the death of his daughter.
That's one of the many notable changes in "Conviction." We've grown accustomed to seeing Sam as the ultimate company man, programmed to carry out orders and not ask questions. But recent events have left Fisher a changed man, an angry man. In "Conviction," he's more like Jason Bourne and less like James Bond. You can hear this change in the superb audio delivered by Michael Ironside, who has voiced Fisher from the beginning, and feel it in the gameplay itself, which now features more hand-to-hand combat and brutal interrogations.
In addition to Sam's new attitude, "Conviction" offers several other alterations to the classic "Splinter Cell" formula. Sam moves faster and is more agile that we've seen him before. Enemies converge on your last known position, which is now shown onscreen by a silhouette, thus making it easier to lure them into a trap. While there is still a premium on stealth, "Conviction" also features more gunplay than past games in the series. During one flashback level, stealth is practically nonexistent, which turns the game into a straightforward third-person shooter. While I certainly prefer sticking to the shadows, I was relieved to see that the shooting mechanics are tight and the new cover system works flawlessly. The new Mark and Execute system, which lets you target multiple enemies at once and then automatically score killshots on command, works as advertised but isn't something that can be easily abused. In fact, I probably used it less than a dozen times during the course of the single-player campaign.
The campaign is relatively short, clocking in at well under 10 hours. And while the story that serves as the backdrop for the action isn't exactly memorable, it is told in a cool way through a series of flashbacks that are displayed on walls during the course of the game. This projection-style storytelling eliminates the need for many cutscenes and helps keep the action flowing, which is always a good thing.
While multiplayer isn't new to the "Splinter Cell" series, "Conviction" features a multitude of co-op and adversarial game modes, including an outstanding co-op multiplayer campaign that is nearly as fleshed-out as the single-player story. Playing as agents Kestrel and Archer, you and a friend can experience a story that takes place in the hours prior to the events in the single-player campaign. I found the action here to be more reminiscent of classic "Splinter Cell" titles, with even more onus placed on stealth. Teamwork is a must as Mark and Execute orders can be shared between players and fallen players can be revived be their partner. "Conviction" also allows split-screen multiplayer, which is a big plus in my book.
I've waited a long time for Sam Fisher to return. Thankfully the wait was well worth it. With great gameplay, a solid albeit short campaign and some of the most enjoyable multiplayer modes on the market today, "Splinter Cell: Conviction" is an outstanding package. Now that he's come out of hiding, hopefully Sam won't be such a stranger. I already can't wait to see him again.
"Splinter Cell: Conviction"
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
Publisher: Ubisoft
Available for: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 ($59.99)
Rating: M for mature
Score: 9.4/10
