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Splinter Cell Blacklist
Topic Started: Oct 3 2013, 07:04 PM (213 Views)
TheGreg
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With Splinter Cell Blacklist, we finally get the next-gen stealth experience we have been waiting for from the venerable franchise.

The previous entry, Conviction, was a decent game in its own right, but ended up being a confusing melding of stealth and action that strayed too far from the shadowy cloak-and-dagger gameplay that defined the series.

Even if its predecessor (Double Agent) was more true to form, the series has never recaptured the brilliance of Chaos Theory, which still holds up as a masterpiece of stealth gameplay.

And while Blacklist still can’t match the franchise’s magnum opus, it’s a definitive step in the right direction and a surprisingly deep overall package.

Blacklist’s greatest triumph is that it returns to the satisfying stealth gameplay of yesteryear.

Sure it’s a little more forgiving and accessible, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing, as there was certainly a frustration factor in some of the series’ early days.

The game rewards players for remaining undetected; crediting additional funds for those who play Splinter Cell the way it’s meant to be played. These funds can be used to upgrade every piece of equipment, gadget and weapon in Sam Fisher’s inventory, as well as Fourth Echelon’s helicarrier-inspired base of operations.

Players are ranked on three levels following each stage. Ghost achievements reward players who strike non-lethally from the shadows and remain undetected, while the Panther level allows the player to strike with lethal force via stealth. The final level is Assault, which, in theory, allows players to barge in guns blazing. This approach seems totally unfeasible to me as only a few hits will put down Sam for good. Besides, it just isn’t Sam Fisher’s style.

Then again, to me this isn’t really Sam Fisher at all. For reasons that still escape me, Michael Ironside, the iconic voice of Fisher, has been replaced. His unmistakable baritone along with his wonderful sarcastic edge is sorely missed. To make matters even more baffling, the new performer is far younger than Ironside. So Sam Fisher now sounds all of 30, while still presented as a veteran operative with a 20-something year old daughter. It makes zero sense and it’s a major sticking point for fans of the series.

In fact, the writing in general seems a bit off from what we are used to. Fisher lacks his trademark wit and the cast of supporting players are cliché at best, irritating at worst.

Fortunately, as a game, it does deliver a very satisfying experience. Sneaking around and taking out hostiles or capturing high-value targets is consistently empowering and the level design provides myriad paths and options to approach objectives, be it hidden paths or Fourth Echelon’s vast array of gadgets.

Customization blows away anything we have seen in the previous games. Secondary functions can be added to weapons and every aspect of equipment is customizable. I, of course, would recommend the stealth nanofiber upgrades. The sonar goggles are pretty useful too.

The campaign is well-designed and paced, even if a couple moments that force the player into first-person shooter mode are totally out of place.

The game also provides some nice optional side missions that correspond to the various gameplay types. The stealth based missions given by Grimm are ripped straight from the style of Chaos Theory with their open level design and non-linear progression.

On the technical side, however, Blacklist disappoints. Visuals are underwhelming and load times are horrendous.

Even though it lacks the offline cooperative option, I would recommend the Wii U version of the game. The pervasive screen-tearing of the other platforms isn’t an issue on Nintendo’s console, plus the Gamepad is used to great effect. Inventory management is far quicker and shifting the viewpoint from the TV to the pad for the snake-cam and tri-rotor is a nice touch.

Blacklist is a worthy addition to the Splinter Cell series. Its gameplay returns to style that made the series special while also refining its mechanics.

And while I wholeheartedly object to Michael Ironside’s absence and the inexplicable liberties taken with the Sam Fisher character, it’s an impressive overall package and a very satisfying experience.
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