Author Tom Clancy has written some fine novels, and UbiSoft has written some great games based on these works. Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell is one such release. This one is a bit different, however: it models itself on that champion of espionage, Metal Gear Solid 2, which, as it happens, is a good thing.

As Sam Fisher, you are out to save the world from international terrorism. In doing this, stealth is of paramount importance. Splinter Cell makes terrific use of light and shadows in this regard. If Sam Fisher stays in the dark, he is less likely to be seen; but, equipped with night vision goggles, you are not hindered by the lighting effects. It's a clever system that creates some memorable scenes and adds to the sensation of being undercover.

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell is a supremely balanced game. The initial training received is just long enough, gameplay is perfectly weighted between stealth and action, and the blend of different objectives in missions ensures that the experience never becomes a chore. More than being merely balanced, though, Splinter Cell excels in all areas. This is as compelling a spy game as you'll ever play. --Jonti Davies

I have tried so hard to like this game. I would say that stealth games are probably my favourite genre next to first person shooters and with a while to wait before the next (eagerly awaited) MGS game I thought that I should try the Slinter Cell series and OMG have I been disappointed. After going on the net and reading tons and tons of amazing reviews I am left a little confused. I can't believe how bad this game is and how many people seem to love it. There doesn't seem to be any skill involved in it, the control system is cluncky and in-accurate. The enemys seem to have super human abilities and can even see through walls (yes you read that right). There is a level where I closed myself in a room, no guard witnessed me enter but as he strolled past outside he somehow managed to see me hidden behind a desk with the lights off and the door to the room closed. I am extremely disappointed especially since people have been saying that this wipes the floor with the MGS series (have they even played MGS). I was expecting something great but this has no where near the depth and level of fun that the MGS series sports. All this game has are a couple of fancy lighting effects, not nearly enough to keep me playing.

True genius with one flaw

I'm usually a fps game player on the PC so had never played anything like Splinter Cell until I bought an Xbox. What a surprise!

It is without doubt one of the best games (PC or Xbox) I have ever played. It's incredible graphics, beautiful animation, exciting game play, and excellent controls make it almost perfect. It's only flaw is that progress is occasionally headbangingly frustrating, and rather than being allowed to save your progress you must reach checkpoints. So be prepared to play the same bit over and over and over and over again. To anyone who finds the game too difficult, I would recommend they do as I did - use one of the many walkthrough guides from the internet. Saying that this game is so good, even using cheats didn't spoil the game for me.

A true masterpiece.

I'm not a metal gear fan boy. The metal gear series is fastly becoming flawed and formulaic, and as everyone says it IS too easy. But Splinter Cell simply takes it to the other extreme.
I've been playing games since I was 4 and I've always been good at them, so please don't think I'm a complete retard when I say this: but I find this game extremely hard. So hard it is tedious. I just can't do it and it doesn't make the game fun at all.
What I do like about the game is the graphics, the sound, and the whole 'shadow' system. The game is what a stealth 'em up should be. The environments are pretty varied too. Not just walking around corridors like in metal gear solid.
The sound and graphics are really good too. It's very atmospheric to play, which I really like a lot. But the main thing that bothers me is the storyline and the way its presented.
I find Sam Fisher to be... Well.. Boring. He speaks in a crappy mono-tone voice and I just don't link with him at all. The storyline doesn't keep me interested either. I loved the storylines in metal gear solid, and it made me want to play the game more to find out what happens. Splinter cell gives me no reason to carry on playing.
It's good to see a stealth game that doesn't have snake in. It's also good to see a new and different approach to stealth games, but I'm sorry. I'm just a metal gear solid person myself. This game doesn't interest me.

This is a true classic. You hide in the shadows and complete your mission without being detected. The lights in this game are beautifull, but they are your worst enemy. The graphics are far beyond what I expected from a game as old as this one.

There are negetive sides to the game as well. You have very few choises as to how to complete your mission. The doors you don't have to go through are only there for the looks. You cant even choose where to shoot someone to kill them. Only the headshot kills immediately. There is no point in trying to aim for the heart. Also the bodies you keep carrying around goes through walls if you put them to close.

Many reviewers put Metal Gear up against Splinter Cell. I think they are to different to compare against each other.

The story is good and the voicework is top notch. If you like stealth games and haven't tried it yet, go for it. But if you are looking for a shooter, I would recommend Doom instead.

I really don't understand how some folks have reviewed this game in a negative light. Saying that the control system is terrible, lacking atmosphere etc is so far wide of the mark it's just not funny.
I like most fans of the x-box bought Halo 2 and I would gladly give that game away but keep this - it's brilliant.
The graphics are excellent, the gameplay is great. At times it can be frustrating having to work out the best way past guards, security cameras etc to reach your goal but when you do it's definitely worth it. It's a few years old now but not showing it's age at all in my opinion - in fact it's the real deal.
Great graphics, great gameplay, great game - go buy it now ( it's a steal ! )