You are Sam Fisher, a covert spy working for an agency called Third Echelon. It is your duty to uphold the secrecy of your mission and leave without a trace. Sound good so far? Great, because Splinter Cell puts you on a wild ride full of twists and turns.

Graphics

The team at Ubi Soft Montreal have done a spectacular job on this game. This is without a doubt the best looking game I have ever seen. The textures are so damn real that it almost feels like I'm Sam Fisher himself actually on the field. Sam moves in such a realistic manner as a real spy would. He sneaks by slowly, climbs stuff, aims carefully, split jumps and there's much much more. You would think the moves were done using mo-cap, but it's not. It's all hand done and the effort in it shows. The lighting is absolutely amazing. The effect that is caused when Sam is walking by a chain link fence with a light coming across Sam's body is a sight to behold. The only gripe is that there is clipping when bodies get near walls and objects. Heads just go through the walls. Maybe in the sequel this'll get fixed? Hmm?

Sound

Splinter Cell is an aural delight. Putting this puppy on a Dolby Digital makes this game even more realistic. Footsteps can be heard coming closer and farther away. Different surfaces make different noises as Sam walks by them from carpet to gravel to tin. The fire even sounds amazing. When the door is closed the fire sounds muffled, but when opened, the fire roars like it should. It's all there. You'll also hear enemies making conversation with each other which is sometimes pretty hilarious listening to what they're talking about. All the little nuances are heard throughout.

Gameplay

This is where people will have the most to say about Splinter Cell. I know that some people will hate it and some people will love it. Mainly, the people that will love it are people with patience and are able to sit things through without a lot of action. Stealth is emphasized here. The people that will hate it are obviously people without a lot of patience. People who want to run and gun here can do that in this game, but with the limited amount of ammo, it's hard to do. This game is all about patience, without it, you'll hate this game.

Controls become second nature as you get more of a feel of what Sam can and can't do. You'll be doing split jumps, double jumps, rolls, and shooting out lights like nobodys business. Initially the camera takes a little bit to get used to, since it's a free roaming one. After a while, you'll appreciate what this camera system does, and you won't want to go back to anything else.

Overall

This game is the best game of the year 2002 for the Xbox without a doubt. It has style, it has brains. It's a thinking man's stealth action game, not a mindless shooter. In all my years of gaming, this is game that screams revolutionary. The graphics are sweet, the gameplay addictive and the whole idea of sneaking around where you're not supposed to be is awesome. Only nine levels you say? Well, you can download more off of Xbox Live as they become available. More sneaking around you say? Where do I sign?

"I really tried to do a split jump before. Pulled my hamstring."

--Alvin

Graphics - Best lighting done to date. Creates a tense atmosphere.	9.8
Sound - Sneaking around never sounded so good. If you're discovered the music that bumps in really jolts you sometimes.	10
Gameplay - Patience is a virture with this game. The controls are top notch. Nothing to complain about except for Fisher's poor aim with the pistol sometimes. You really have to hit the bullseye.	9.6
Satisfaction - Totally satisfied. The new Kola Cell mission was fantastic and I can't wait to get the new one.	9.3
Overall	9.9