Everyone has come to love the Splinter Cell series over the years – and with good reason. The games have been consistent and the genre hasn’t worn out it’s welcome. Does Double Agent deliver more of the same or is it about time for Sam Fisher to retire?
Reviews:
1UP: (8.4 out of 10) “because the co-op missions are just gussied-up versus matches, and because the versus game doesn’t have any variations in objectives (spies simply hack at computer terminals to retrieve files to return to the starting base) or modes, multiplayer may start to wear out more quickly than in previous editions.”
“For the time being, however, I’m eager to slip into my spy tights for more Xbox Live action. Splinter Cell still offers the most unique multiplayer around, and Double Agent will keep me happily entertained for quite some time — probably well past Fisher’s retirement party.”
IGN: (7.9 out of 10) “Splinter Cell Double Agent is tough for me to score — it’s a good game, but it’s also one we’ve played before. There are more cinematic moments in Double Agent, some new moves, and improved graphics — but there isn’t much going on here that wasn’t done in last summer’s Mission Impossible III. And the basics of the game have been seen in games reaching farther back than that, including all the Splinter Cells, Princes of Persia, and even XIII. If you’re new to Gameloft, you’ll certainly be impressed, but loyalists will be torn. Double Agent is definitely a game if quality, but it’s familiarity stunts its effectiveness.”
Team XBox: (9.1 out of 10) ” While the first next-gen entry in the Splinter Cell series isn’t quite the evolutionary leap that we had hoped it would be, it’s still one of the best titles to hit the XBox 360 yet. The single-player game introduces a couple of interesting new gameplay elements, and although it still features the same style of trial-and-error play, the hardcore fans will likely be satisfied with what it has to offer. It’ll be interesting to see how said fans will react to the new multiplayer mode, which isn’t as complex, but could be considered more entertaining to many people. Sam’s debut on the Xbox 360 isn’t perfect, but it’s still a great way to kick off the next generation of stealth gaming.”
Screenshots and Videos:
Click here for screenshots and videos from Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Double Agent.
Bottom Line: It appears that gamers will definitely be getting more of the same when it comes to Double Agent. It’s up to you to decide whether or not that’s a good or bad thing. However, the game does deviate from the traditional Splinter Cell formula in the multiplayer mode. This time it’s a 3 on 3 spies vs. mercenaries experience and the spies can move a lot faster than in previous games. Basically, Double Agent provides much more simplified and balanced gameplay between the two factions.
Co-op missions are also back, but they are not story driven like those seen in Chaos Theory. This time they play more like versus matches with players teaming up against mercenary bots. However, the co-op experience is a little longer and faster paced this time around.
