Tom Clancy’s Fifth installment of the original series, Splinter Cell: Conviction is a stunningly great game. We have better graphics and technical details as expected; we are 3 years down the line from the first edition and hence gaming advancements are bound to give a marked effect; but furthermore, the game gives the gamer much more reality. Looking at the earlier versions, the more challenging gamer may find this part of the franchise easier and more giving, but undoubtedly will have to admit it’s a worthwhile gaming experience nonetheless.

The story line isn’t the strongest characteristics of FPSs usually, but Splinter Cell: Conviction does hold its own when speaking of new advanced gaming features combined with a powerful story. With the new “Last Known Position” feature for example, the guards can get mistaken by the silhouette of the hero Sam Fisher as you get to flank and strategically execute your enemies. Another new feature of distraction called “Mark & Execute” allows you to prioritize targets and actually take out environment objects and thus take your pick of targets. But such features of the game have been in the scene since 2009. What really gets to you during the gameplay of the game, it is really the hardcore Bourne Identity like action; soft, sharp and quick, a lethally enthralling experience.

The plot is really a nice combination of past and a new agenda of vendetta for Sam Fisher; something unique in Splinter Cell: Conviction, as FPSs really don’t carry much storyline. Sam Fisher is facing rogue Russian military agents again; handling missiles and Black market arms trades, fighting alongside other members of his Third Echelon Agency and taking on betrayal and crisis as cool as spies can be. However, more orthodox Splinter Cell players have missed the stealth play and interrogation sequences. You shouldn’t preview the story though; this a rare FPS action game with a great story to follow; something best learnt from experience. While the single player sequence is closer to getting the mission done, the multiplayer hides deeper secrets. Though the formally critically acclaimed “Spies v/s Mercenaries” mode doesn’t exist; there are new features like Hunter, Infiltration, Face-Off and Last Stand. Face-Off is the true multi player platform though, with you pitting against live opponent players in a killing arena.

Looking at graphics; Splinter Cell: Conviction has a regular FPS layout, but also an added split screen and system link profile for Xbox 360 gamers. The visualizations and outlay of the resolutions though, are less than promised. Ubisoft has let down on here where it had excelled in their earlier released game Assassin’s Creed II. Somehow, the artwork could have been blended better into 3D gaming and the sound could have been more inviting. The Xbox and other reviews rate this release at 8/10 perhaps for these notable letdowns, but as far as gaming goes, Tom Clancy and team have made this another intoxicating addition to their commendable portfolio.

The entire Splinter Cell franchise is a Tom Clancy project, hence military excitement and close combat experiences are expected to hit your game while playing. The Xbox version of the release is especially critically well accepted by both prosumers and fans of the franchise and loyalists of Tom Clancy. Overall, Ubisoft has released and created a grand action game with the release of this part of the Splinter Cell series in April 2010.

Tags: Splinter Cell, Splinter Cell: Conviction, Tom Clancy, ubisoft, Xbox, xbox 360