1-Apr-2004 We survived the first Splinter Cell with nerves intact, but only just. Sure, you can be special ops tough-guy Sam Fisher on screen, but inside your guts quiver like Rik Waller's chins.
Getting through it all, however, taught us how to use stealth with confidence. Now, the thought of sneaking around in the dark no longer makes us whine like puppies. Instead, you could say CVG is well psyched for all the heart-stopping stealth you can deliver. In fact, you can just call us Sam.
Stepping back into Fisher's boots feels terrific. Fully aware of our talents, as mapped out by the original game, and looking forward mastering some more, there has been so much promised for this sequel. Games cursed by hype rarely survive the high expectations. Here, though, slick new presentation, enhanced sound, improved AI, and a kick-ass multiplayer mode (a game in itself, we assure you), makes it truly worthy.
You're Paid To Be Invisible Heck, this is tense. See, a Splinter Cell by definition is a battle-hardened soldier who undertakes life-threatening, politically sensitive situations. Nobody except the government knows that guys like Sam Fisher exist, and if a Splinter Cell is captured or killed, the government denies all knowledge of them. A Splinter Cell works alone; watches his own back. There's no covering fire, or buddies to take bullets on his behalf. "You're paid to be invisible," as Sam is often reminded.
When first presenting such a razor's edge experience, Ubisoft's solution was to keep things on rails. It prevented folks from getting lost and, by keeping things tight, created tension. In Splinter Cell 1, there was only one right way. Usually it was three strikes and you're out in terms of raising alarm. For some people this proved a bit much, and they went blubbing to mum... (or the Ubisoft forums) to complain. In response, Pandora Tomorrow changes the approach a little.
He Went Dat Away Routes through an area are no longer limited to one. While the game still confines you to a 'corridor' approach (so you don't stray too far from the action, diffusing tension), Sam now has alternative routes. If you take a shortcut, whether it's rappelling down a wall or sneaking beneath walkways, you could also miss ammo or medical supplies. On the other hand, taking the scenic route keeps you in danger longer.
Pandora Tomorrow also develops the idea of pathways created using shadow. Shoot out lights and dark pathways form, only this time you need to be far more creative about choosing your routes. If you pop this bulb will it let you get close enough to take down that guard, or should you conserve your ammo for later?
Must've Been A Cat Missions are dead tight too: you could be King Careful and still get spotted more than a leopard with clap. As with the first game, certain cock-ups (depending on the mission) meant game over instantly. But now, where Supervisor Irving Lambert used to also allow three lesser mishaps before aborting the mission, Sam is far more at the mercy of improved enemy AI.
There are three increasing stages of alarm. Firstly, the enemy goes to a higher level of alert - they know of a possible intruder and are on the look-out. Next, if Sam confirms his presence by causing more ructions, enemies prepare for certain confrontation by donning flak jackets and actively looking for Sam. The final stage of alert heaps on the pressure - enemies slap on Kevlar helmets and are committed to hunting Sam down. It's almost impossible to take 'em down (even with a sniper shot) with their heads so well protected. Body-shots just bring them running your way!
Crucially, though, if Sam can lay low for long enough and avoid being killed, the enemy's alert status will decrease after several minutes. Although this isn't entirely realistic, we feel it adds more depth and freedom within the game.
The Four The Merrier We're more than happy with PT's one-player mode as a sequel - it would've been enough. So we're lost where to begin when praising the multiplayer. Maybe we just tell you what's in store, because the appeal becomes obvious.
Multiplayer Splinter Cell combines first-person gameplay with typical 'Sam Fisher' third-person. Nobody gets to play as Sam, in fact there are no personalities involved. Instead, within the three different game modes, it's the good guys of the Shadownet Team, versus the baddies of the ARGUS Corporation.
Shadownet comprises of spies working for the same organisation as Sam. ARGUS fields mercenary soldiers, who you meet in the single-player game. In every case it's the Shadownet Spies who have the mission objectives to complete, and the ARGUS mercs aiming to stop them.
Über Sam Shadownet Spies belong to a sub-division of Third Echelon, the same group that commissions Sam. They move like Spider-Man, and have the aura of Batman. Think we've said that before, but we just like the sound of it! Recruits are younger and therefore more agile than Sam. They seem to be quicker on foot and all of them can perform a cool move Sam wouldn't dream of trying - the Wall Jump. It's a slick evasion move, allowing spies to run halfway up a wall then push off and backflip to land behind whoever's in pursuit. This can also be adapted to run halfway up a wall then grab onto a ledge.
Spies view their surroundings as a giant climbing frame, loaded with places to scurry through, climb around or cling to - maybe drawing a merc's fire, or simply while finding the best routes to objectives. As an onlooker, it's very unsettling and kind of annoying to watch spies dart through a window to safety, but equally fun to watch them crawl unwittingly into your sights!
The Argus Catalogue ARGUS stands for Armed Guardian Services, a private military corporation. Guns for hire, loyal only to money. As the spies carefully plot their mission objectives, it's the merc's role to stop them - using all necessary force, of course!
In an attacking role, the ARGUS mercs have speed and accuracy of gunfire at long range, spraying bullets while giving chase, swiftly scanning areas within their gun-sights, forcing spies out of their hidey-holes with frag grenades. When a spy makes a run for it like a frightened rabbit, it's no bother to pop them full of holes. You need to be on the aggressive side when playing as a merc, being sure to clear the way ahead because you are unable to watch your back as easily as spies.
These are definitely the guys to go with if your favourite flavour of adrenaline is a power rage. From a spy's point of view, of course, the mercs are there to be tormented over their lack of agility.
The Ultimate In Sensory Gameplay The multiplayer game is geared to allow teams of two mercs versus two spies, or three mercs versus one spy (and vice-versa). A one-on-one merc versus spy set-up is the minimum you can have. The only downside (and admittedly it's a fairly big one) is that you can only play via system link or online through Xbox Live. There is no split-screen option, and only Ubisoft could tell you why - maybe that's why the PS2 version's been delayed. Anyway, assuming you're good to go, you're in line for some of the finest multiplayer action ever devised.
You see, this amazing multiplayer game serves to highlight just why Pandora Tomorrow is so remarkable overall. Unlike any other games in its field, you're trained to respect not just the structures, but every surface too. Sam and the spies claim every handhold and hidey-hole as their own, but must tread carefully 'cos every surface has unique sound properties. Mercs have to know all this too and work it into their tactics if they're to hunt down and capture their prey!
You could say it's all just a fancy game of hide and seek, but the tactical element off and online adds so much depth and tension that the concept becomes genius.
Somehow doing it never gets boring. We loved it in the first game, we're loving it now too. We're talking about busting lightbulbs, of course. Almost everywhere Sam goes, you'll need to look out for lights to take out - it makes for comforting darkness to move about more freely. This time out Sam has to be even more tactical about chosing his route through levels.
There could be someone around the next corner, and this light is gonna make Sam visible
Out with the trusty FM-7: aim very carefully at the tiny bulb to save ammo for later
Bullseye! Sam is shrouded in darkness. Problem is, now he can’t see anything either!
Aha! That’s what the night-vision goggles are for then. Sam can see, but cannot be seen
// Can You Feel It?
You can see how good it looks, but you should also know that the sound is mixed in 7.1 Surround for ultra-realistic atmosphere. In addition to practising stealth by what you can (just about) see and hear you must also react to FEEL in Pandora Tomorrow. Sometimes you won't know you're in danger until you sense it through the controller.
Dogs will sniff you out too, so have no mercy! They may look cute but they’ll only rip your throat out!
Your hi-tech goggles highlight any additional bodies in the area – and they ain’t friendly!
Mines buried around this camp emit a slight heat signature, so switch over to thermo vision
Booby traps in the jungle give off a faint vibration. Move slowly to detect them
// Splinter Cell Single-Player Glory
n Check out the new stuff Sam faces in one-player. Most noticeably, over half the areas are outdoors, as opposed to snooping around corridors and offices. Since he gets to wade through long grass, Sam also now owns a cool camouflage stealth suit.
Sam is in here somewhere. It’s hard to spot him though, eh? Of course, that’s the idea...
While hiding in a river, Sam has only the rushes to fool the torches of patrolling guards
What in hell does Sam think he’s playing at here? Asking to have his head blown off?
You’ve a fair bit of scurrying around tunnels too, like here in this disused Paris Metro
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