Graphics:
The Graphics of this game are next-generation. This is like a wow-factor out of all of the new games that are coming out. The only reason i wont give it a 10 is because you need a 3.0 shader card and 4.0 for perfect quality. 300 dollar card.
Sound:
Sound is amazing. The soundtrack is perfectly fit in with the gameplay and the setting of where you are.
Gameplay:
The Trust System is a cool, innovative idea and adds value to the game, but the real reason we are all here for is the basic and amazing gameplay that Splinter Cell’s Series has provided us until now.
The game lets you implement realistic tactics that are based on real testimonies given by actual undercover agents. You do that using some cool stuff that Sam carries with him even when he goes to the grocery store…Sam’s arsenal is pretty thin and is consisted of:
- The double-edged razor-sharp knife, which was added in Chaos Theory.
- The 20 round 5.7mm SC Pistol equipped with silencer and flash suppressor. Can be used to disable electronic devices / lights / cameras and computers.
- The armor piercing SC-20K rifle, Sam’s main weapon. Has a scope for better accuracy and a grenade launcher to fire sticky cameras, shockers, airfoils, smoke grenades etc.
Besides those, Sam has many cool gadgets he can use to aid him in his missions. A good example would be the cool Multifunction Watch, which combines next-generation OPSAT features, such as keep track of objectives’ information and displaying a 3D map of the area (though not THAT convenient to use) plus fingerprint scanner to open locked doors and an optical cable to insert under closed doors and see what goes on behind them before opening them. It also saves all emails and data you find during your actions, so you don’t have to memorize anything.
I can’t speak about Sam Fisher without mentioning his most famous tool, which became his trademark over the years, the cool green goggles. The goggles’ helpful and cool capabilities include thermal vision, night vision, zoom, integrated microphone and a relatively new mode that highlights electromagnetic radiation.
Interface:
Camera sometimes locates itself in a way you just can’t see anything, let alone sneak behind enemies efficiently. In previous games, you had a light / sound meter to indicate how exposed you are to your enemies. Here they were replaced with a small light that has three statuses:
- Green means you are well hidden and no enemy can see you.
- Yellow means you’re exposed and if a guard approaches you, you’re busted!
- Red means your presence is known and guards are searching or shooting at you.
This mechanism works great in global but I sometimes found it ridicules. I once crouched and slowly approached a guard. He looked right into my eyes, pointing his flashlight in my direction while I am only a few inches from his leg and still did not see me. Why? Because the light was green… On another case, I was inside a closed room at night, switched the lights off and messed with a computer, extracting some data. I had a yellow light because my foot stepped on a slightly lit up location. A guard spotted me from the outside(!) of the room and ran inside, cursing and shooting…
- Graphics: 9
- Sound: 9
- GamePlay: 9
- Interface: 7
Final Score: 8.5 out of 10