Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Double Agent (Xbox 360, 2006)

After sitting down and thoroughly playing this game at my brother’s house, I realized that it was 4:00am that I had been playing for 10+ hours and the game was over, and I wanted to play it again. This is crazy, and what XBOX 360 owners have been waiting for.

As a fan of the Splinter Cell franchise, this game is not like the other Tom Clancy games or the SC predecessors. This game has an amazing storyline that grips you and pulls you in. Having the favorite elements that the hardcore fanatics of the series will enjoy, Double Agent make the controls and the gameplay friendly enough for a new player in the series to jump in and enjoy the game. The level development will make you wonder how much time was spent on every little detail in this game.

Double Agent also allows the player to “choose their own destiny” by putting them in questionable situations. Do you kill the hostage and go down the path of wrong (the easy way), or do you choose to find a way to stay good in the situation and stay a true double agent (the hard way). I give this new design, which must be experienced. This game is definitely gets a thumbs up.

For those that may have scene the Previews, or played, Double Agent before its release date only received a glimpse of the potential of this game, and the final version is nice and glued together. Double Agent’s animations, gameplay, (and as always) the voice work is really well done. Sam is revamped, fluid, and hardcore – looking as if he could jump off the screen. The AI has been improved, and changes their rounds and routines. As for the multiplayer, the games are fun and play well, though I did not spend as much time on the multiplayer as I did the single player game.

The only complaint about this game is the “lag” that occurs in the game. The game in single and multiplayer modes slows down, and it is reported to go below 30 frames per second, but patches are on the way to improve that.

Graphics: Amazing - 5/5
Smooth textures, lifelike movements and faces, and the most detailed levels you will ever see.

Sound: Amazing - 5/5
This game relies on hearing things off in the distance, and a good 5.1 surround sound is a must.

Gameplay: Amazing – 4.5/5
The gameplay is really well done, but the slow downs in the frame rate really cause a distraction.

Replay Value – 4.5/5
The game was only 9-11 hours long, but it makes you want to play it again, plus there is multiplayer.

Overall – 4.75/5
The only thing that prevented this being a perfect score from this reviewer was the frame rate issues. Overall, pick this game up. The Shanghai Team did it again at UbiSoft, and this is a must own title on the XBOX 360.

Ah yes, the 4th installment of an already great series on a Next Gen console. Can things get any better? No, not really. In fact it got worse. How could this be you ask? Well it's simple, Ubisoft (developer) broke the #1 rule when it comes to a popular franchise. Never, ever mess with a proven formula. Once you start to change things, you're asking for trouble. I'm talking about the Multiplayer, more on that later.

The single player was decent, aside from the graphics, nothing revolutionary. The levels we're put together well enough, similar weapons, same A.I., no new moves and of course no real boss fights to speak of, again. Just your typical go to point A, grab info B and get back to evacuation point C type of Splinter Cell. Only this time they change the premise up a bit. Instead of always doing your dirty work for Lambert and the organization, you now have infiltrated a terrorist group to which you also work for. The idea is to make hard decisions as both a good and bad guy. It's a nice idea, but it really didn't work here. Although you were given the illusion of consequences for your actions, they barely had any real impact through out the game, other than 3 types of endings. Good, better and best.

Double Agent's multiplayer. I'm almost at a loss for words on this one. For anyone who's played the last two versions of Spies Versus Merc's, especially in Chaos Theory, knows full well how awesome it was. No one really expected a Splinter Cell multiplayer back than, let alone something so solid and refined. They were seriously on to something with Pandora Tomorrow and just completely nailed it in Chaos Theory. So why did they change it?

Like most celebrities, Ubisoft took something that was going so good and just tossed it into the crapper like yesterdays lunch meat and flushed (Britney Spears' career anyone?). What they left us with now is a dumbed down version, a shell of its former self. Apparently Ubi was so worried that too many people we're being overwhelmed and intimidated by the vast array of gadgets, they felt the need to strip it all and start over. Hard core gamers be damned. They wanted to make it more "Accessible". Sound familiar? It should, Hollywood has been doing it for years with our games when they make movies about them. No more mines, motion sensors, spy finders, spy bullets, sticky shocker...it's all gone.

So really, what is left to say about SC:DA? The graphics and sound were amazing, and the single player mode was fun enough to finish. Pretty much what kept me from putting it below average. It really felt like Ubisoft took a step backwards with this series. So honestly, if you really loved the last two versions of Spies Vs Merc games, don't bother hopping online with this one, you'll only be left with a sad sense of disappointment.

Gameplay: 10/10
The Gameplay in Splinter Cell is awesome. They have made some controls easier to use and they just did awesome with the whole moral thing of going into the terrorist cell. They really put you into Sam fisher and the life of a covert agent and with the choices. I also really like the Daylight missions , they add a whole different element to the game instead of the dull darkness that you are always stuck with in the previous games. You would be surprised in how the lighting effects Gameplay. Also this is the first time you can skip objectives and go to another one. Well that's all I can say about the Gameplay.

Story: 10/10
The story in the game is some of what I mentioned in the intro. You play as Sam Fisher and you are a “Splinter Cell” for a division of the NSA headed by Irving Lambert. The FBI has had some suspicions of a terrorist cell that is doing some pretty bad stuff. You Sam Fisher get sent into the terrorist headquarters as a “mole”. From there you have to do split objectives for the NSA and the JBA (terrorist cell). You have to satisfy both parties in each of your missions. This adds a great deal of decision making. Overall this is a pretty cool storyline that will leave you strapped to your chair wanting more.

Graphics & Sound: 9/10
This game has superb graphics as they are supposed to be on the Xbox 360. They are slick as glass and are simply just beautiful. Although the Multiplayer graphics have been downgraded down to get some “lag” out of the way, but come on the Xbox 360 can handle it but unfortunately they didn't put the graphics for MP at the top but you have to think because Ubisoft has never pushed there graphics for MP but it makes up for the MP with the SP. The sound is excellent but I have noticed some glitches in MP that are kind of funny but kind of annoying at the same time.

Play Time/Replayability: 10/10
The play time in this game will take a very long time if you're a stealthy guy that likes to do all the objectives or about a few hours if you're a speedy person that rips through levels only doing the objectives that your really want or need to do. The Replayability for this game is really good. You can go around and try every way you like to get through a mission or only do missions for the NSA or JBA and the list goes on and on. This game as Chaos Theory and Pandora Tomorrow has Co-op and Versus. This game is on Xbox Live so that ups the Replayability by a lot. Either way this game will take hours away from your life.

My final recommendation on this game is if you like the Splinter Cell Series buy it. If you like Stealth games and action games buy it. If your not to sure about the game which I highly doubt that you will be you can always rent it which is best because if you don't like it just exchange it at the rental place for a new game. I would definitely buy this for the Gamer or Splinter Cell fan in your home.

For anyone who has enjoyed the Splinter Cell series, you will NOT be disappointed. WIth similar controls to previous installments, the only additions were positives---more weapons, more missions, and a great twist to the storyline--the ability to choose sides. This makes the game take on an entirely new feel and is a huge positive. The first person solo story is great---giving you the options to use stealth or action. You can go in guns blazing or sneak in the shadows to complete your many objectives.
In addition to the solo story, the hude plus of Double Agent is the online play. This online play is entirely different from the solo mode and is a huge addition to the game. Playing a spys or as Upsilon Force adds to the overall understanding of the game itself. You will find yourself playing on line for hours and then switching back to solo to move forward. ALso good are the unlockable achievements which include unlockables for online and solo mode. They are neither easy nor impossible--a good mix to those who want a real challenge but don't want impossible accomplishments. This game is definitely worth the money in my opinion based solely on the fact of enjoyable hours of play that can be had from Splinter Cell Double Agent.

Just like Sam Fisher, Splinter Cell Double Agent is the best in its class. You will not find a better stealth action game on the market right now. That being said, there is still much to be desired in Double Agent. First off, Ubisoft stuck with the tried and true controls and overall gameplay of Chaos Theory, so if you've played the previous Splinter Cell title, you will have no problem jumping right into this game. I was a little dissapointed by the lack of new moves or gadgets for Sam, but the stupendous graphics on HD make up for it. You can actually see the sweat dripping off Sam's neck during the game. Besides nice visuals, this game has a very good storyline. The in between mission scenarios where you must balance your duties as a terrorist against the NSA objectives add a great twist that will keep you on your toes. However, I must say I had an overall lackluster feeling about the game when I finished it in a mere 12 hours and all I got was a less than satisfactory ending. It felt like the producers just wanted to wrap up the game and said "screw this" to the character relationships and development.

Multiplayer is where the game really shines. If you have Live, and you like sweating uncontrollably from your armpits as you nervously creep around to a deathly silence, then this is the game for you.

In a nutshell: Singleplayer is worth a rental just to see the amazing visuals, but don't expect much replay value. If you have Live, this game will keep your heartrate dancing.