Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Pandora Tomorrow (Xbox, 2004)

Well, it's been almost 2 years since Pandora Tomorrow's release and yes as before...I am now just finished playing it (read my 1st Splinter Cell Review for more info). I must say that this game is definitely polished. All the environments look fantastic, atleast when your not looking thru them darn NV goggles 2/3rds the time. I actually caught myself stopping mid-level just to marvel at how great everything looked, especially in the lush Timor level, and the water...by God the water just gets better looking every time. Sometimes you gotta stop to smell the pot...er, roses. I'm glad Ubi decided to finally add some extensive outdoors levels this time around.

Something else that was welcomed was the new wall split-jump lean. I liked being able to grab a higher ledge via double split jump. Although extremely subtle, it was a nice change of pace when negotiating the obstacles. But my favorite was the "S.W.A.T Turn" which allowed you to shuffle past doorways and hall openings from one side to the other without detection. It not only looked cool but added great functionality. Speaking of "Functionality", I very happy with the new button layout and equipment interface this time around, it felt just right.

There are some things that surprised me when first playing PT, but not the "Happy Birthday" kind, I'm surprised at how badly linear it still is. Even the outdoor levels only leave you with one real path in. I remember back some years before even the 1st Splinter Cell, at how they were gonna amaze us with the many ways to infiltrate enemy territory like never before. I'm still kinda wondering what happened. And like the last SC I'm also wondering why we still have these terrible checkpoints and no ingame saves...very frustrating.

Okay, if you read my previous SC review you already know how I feel about touchy AI. Unfortunately it's not much different in PT either, which is a shame. Again I'm amazed at how smart and stupid they can be. I noticed during one level, not exactly sure which one but the moment sticks in my mind, where I was slowly sneaking around a building in the dark and my leg briefly caught some light...well needless to say I was fired upon instantly with deadly results. Even supposedly non-hostile, non-terrorist NPC's shoot first and ask questions later. You'd think they'd go in to inspect, perhaps put some more lights on me, but no, despite my being fully cloaked in darkness I was apparently an easy target. Yet at the same time I could drag away and kill 4 out of 5 guards on patrol in a small area and the 5th guard wouldn't give it a second thought..."Did they all go for drinks and not tell me?" thinks the lonely guard.

Alright now I should tell you, I never got a chance to play the Multiplayer Spy Vs Merc's game. So I can't add this to my review, but from what I've heard and read it sounds like a brilliant game and I'm sorry I missed out on it (It was a rental after all). So if it really is what they say it was all cracked up to be, feel free to mentally add another point to my review. But as far as the Single player campaign, although it was definitely an improvement over the first, it still feels like an add-on or expansion pack to me, which isn't to say it's a bad thing, but it isn't anything to write home to Sarah about.

Tom Clancy definitely created the best superhero. Sam Fisher and all his craziness puts Marvel games to shame. The upgrades in this game from the original are astounding. A.I. is more intelligent, but Sam's gadgets are also upgraded. As in every splinter cell game, there is no one route to take. Whether it's a choice to take the stairs or climb the side of the building, or a choice to sneak your way through a darkened hallway, dispatching guards along the way, or to maneuver across on a pipe, you can do it all in this game. Most of the cameras in this game are armored, which means you have to sneak. No cheating on this game.

DISCLAIMER: As in every video game, there are things you have to watch out for in the interests of your kids. There is profanity, a subsequent level of violence, and moral code issues like betrayal in this game. Also, you will find that anyone who plays this game for more than a couple hours every day, will start acting weird. Hiding when people come around, turning OFF the lights when coming into the room, that kind of stuff. Like I said, be careful with this game around kids.

world best game review of year

one of the awesome game of the year fun to play if your inrested in this game i got say well u just can't get enough of this & take my word for it this game is awesome to play if your gamer & u don't what to play this is it i recommend on this game it so worth playing 10 out 10 perfect
plus beleave gamers i got the worlds greatest to the worst & take from me i just love even the world dumdest game could be awesome on my book to graphic well don't see the problem with but all i can is a job well done sound hmmmm i hear just it perfecly the music i think i love videogame music i just can't get enough of it & the gameplay well as u see its like i all ready knew how to play when i got it at the store ready if u don't beleave what i say then take look at the game 4 yourself if u don't like it then don't play it plus the video game company work hard everyday to make it just the way we want game to be made u did me proud game comanys u win my vote

Graphic 10/10
Gameplay 10/10
Sound 10/10
Music 10/10

In other just an awesome game of the year 0_0 ;D :/

Splinter Cell, as the title says, is Stealth Action Redefined. this is much better then the first game, mostly because of the multiplayer option, and the Graphics are still great, as well as the sound, movies, and general game play. I would recomend this for any Console player, and hopefully you will be come a fan like me.

I am a big Splinter Cell fan. My favorite game series of all time. I'm actually putting a collection together. I was already able to get this one "BRAND NEW" before they disappeared. The game is awesome but of course it was made in 2004. So, if you've played the newer splinter cell games, you'll find this one a little slower and frustrating because gaming wasn't as advanced back then as we are now. But, nonetheless, this is an INCREDIBLE game with a FANTASTIC plot and I'm currently playing through all the splinter cell games once again. Never get bored of Sam Fisher, Grimsdottir, Lambert (main characters), and of course the terrorists and their funny conversations they're always having. :) AAA+++ FOR THIS GAME!!!