Splinter Cell

The old grey haired warrior returns, Sam Fisher is back and ready for action. But there are big changes afoot for the sequel to the smash-hit espionage series. The single player adventure is joined by a new online multiplayer component. Has Ubisoft been successful in taking a single-player game making it work in multiplayer?

What was most impressive about playing the multiplayer game was the finely crafted balance between the two very different player types. Spies play in the third person, just like the single player game. But the mercs use a traditional first-person view that suits their role better. The technology and weaponry is particularly balanced, so enhanced vision equipment such as motion tracking or infrared also have the drawback of a reduced viewing distance. Ubisoft really should be commended for creating a multiplayer game that manages to bring these two styles together without seeming unbalanced. The key has been to develop the single and multiplayer games separately, it's clear that they are almost two different games on the one game disk. One awkward aspect of this approach is that the default controls for the spy in the single player game and the multiplayer section are different for no clear reason. Minor controls such as wall hugging appear on different buttons.

The graphics are on the whole pretty good. There's the occasional example of pixelation on Fisher himself, but that's mostly rare. One can understand the difficulty of creating interesting levels where much of the scenery is full of shadows for functional reasons. Pandora Tomorrow isn't the most colourful game in the world but it is detailed, with good texture work throughout. Small details such as spider webs that move with airflow and the return of the original game's curtain/door flap graphics show some care and attention. The lighting is the real highlight of Pandora Tomorrow's visual splendour; interesting use of light is a hallmark of nearly every level in the game. The prime example early on is the Paris Metro train, where Sam may be hidden in the shadows but is bathed in light when trains pass by. One of the most pleasing effects is bright light shone through Venetian blinds. My only gripe about the visuals is the continued lack of widescreen support in Ubisoft's console line-up - something that really needs to be rectified.

Sound plays an equally important role in events. The dialogue, especially between Lambert and Sam Fisher is some of the best to appear in a recent game, certainly better than the performances in EA's Everything or Nothing. It's clear that Michael Ironside is enjoying the role of Sam Fisher, and who wouldn't? Fisher is a character with experience and depth and in his age at least is pretty unique among game heroes. The rest of the soundtrack works very well, sound being equally important as light in remaining stealthy.

Splinter Cell Pandora Tomorrow is another sure fire hit for Ubisoft. One can't help but feel the game rushes the player into some heavy action too soon, which is tough for newcomers. But it is gratifying that the game offers a serious challenge, even if it can seem a little linear at times. Sam Fisher is one of the best game character creations of recent years and if there's any justice in the world Michael Ironside will get to reprise his role in a movie or TV series at some point. Good though the single player aspect of Pandora Tomorrow is, it's the Xbox Live multiplayer mode that is the real star of the game. That's problematic to some extent because the vast majority of console gamers do not play online yet one hopes this might be the very game to tempt them into a Live subscription. The multiplayer mode is inventive and exciting and really does deserve the widest possible audience. Whether played solo or with friends, Splinter Cell Pandora Tomorrow is another fine game in Ubisoft's line-up, a publisher that appears to be on a real roll at the moment.