| Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow |
| As many who played the first one know, Splinter Cell is an excellent play. It is one of the few games that immediatly sets it's place in game history, much like Halo did. All the elements in the game lined up to be close to perfection Pandora Tomorrow picks up right after Sam Fisher's mission in middle eastern Georgia. There is another terrorist threat that begins as an assault on an embassy, but it is discovered that a mad man is ready to release a deadly strain of small pox on America. Much like the predecesor, Pandora Tomorrow takes Sam through many different settings. All of these look beautiful, even with the enemy's bodies hidden in the shadows. Each detail moves on it's on, making it more life-like. When you drop into the field of marijuana in the jungle you'll understand. Each blade of grass moves independantly from the rest as you sneak through your missions. Of course the stealth mode is still the same, though it seems they bumped it to benefit the enemy a bit more. There is more sneaking through water and other loud surfaces, making it easier for you to be detected. One new feature that adds a fun difficulty and realistic feel to the game is the progressive alarm difficulty. If you're detected once enemies will put on flak jackets, twice and the will put on helmets, and if you can manage to be detected three times they are supposed to grab riot sheilds. Each makes them harder to kill and encourages the use of stealth skills. Also added was the possibility to lower your alarm number. If you can go long enough without being seen your alarm number will reset to zero. The next thing to praise is the multiplay. Players choose one of two teams, mercenaries or spies. The spies control much like Sam does in single player mode and are in a third person view mode, also like single player. They are armed with only gadgets, an EMP gun (sorry no real gun), brains, and most importantly their stealth. They have the mission of defusing bombs, containing a virus, or other spy stuff. Mercenaries are a completly different feel. They're handeled much like a first person shooter. They're only mission is to stop the spies by any means. They're equipped aptly. Aside from the obvious assault rifle, they wield motion detectors and electricity detectors in their helmets, flashlights, grenades, mines, spy traps, and tasers. Along with their equipment they have the advantage of the level's security system. If a spy sets off a motion detector or security camera then the mercenaries are all alerted of where and the distance. Though it seems the mercenaries have the game set up for their win, you'd be surprised. I promise the multiplay delivers like you wouldn't believe. I'm sure that it's much better on XBOX Live, but I still have yet to get it. Pandora Tomorrow delivers everything that a sequel should, and more. Great story, excellent gameplay, beautiful graphics, and the awesome multiplay. I recommend for anyone who enjoyed the first or just wants to sneak around. So, go rent it, or better yet buy it! |
| Overall Rating: 9.5 |