Splinter Cell is back, like an old man at a welfare office

Overheal

http://store.steampowered.com/app/235600/

I'm not sure how I feel about this. On the one hand, the series really was a letdown the last couple installments, between console-exclusive BS and strange double-agent storylines, being forced to kill people to advance the plot, etc. I'm basically put off the franchise the way it carried on. I got a good chunk of replay out of the first couple titles by being a ninja - as little detection/stuns/kills as possible, often completing missions without interfering with a damn thing.

The game however seems quick to promise more flexibility this go around, with 3 different "specializations"/classes (...), that each earn perks as you progress based on your playstyle:

Own Your Play Style
Splinter Cell Blacklist builds on the stealth roots of the franchise, while exploring new directions to embrace the realms of action and adventure. Players can define their personal play styles and be rewarded for those choices.

• Ghost players want to remain undetected.
• Assault players rely on instincts and frontal blow to deal with a situation.
• Panther players look for lethality in the most efficient and silent way.

It goes on to mention the words "game economy system" and then I remember that I'm still hungover. I wish it all the best, but it sounds like a trap.

SeantheMan

I liked Double Agent and Conviction. Hoepfully this will be good too.

Nice to see Sam Fisher isn't in this one, he's been done to death, only so many more random unbelieveable situations he could have been thrown into.

There was a thread on this not too long ago, the drinks blocking out that search button for you man :P
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=84435614

gizmo

SeantheMan wrote: »

Nice to see Sam Fisher isn't in this one, he's been done to death, only so many more random unbelieveable situations he could have been thrown into.

Sam Fisher is in this one, they've just replaced Ironside with Eric Johnson, an actor 30 years his junior.

The game also takes place after Conviction.

COYVB

It's absolutely fantastic from what I've played of it so far. Loved it

uncle_sam_ie

I just bought a GTX760 for my sons PC and it's coming with a free copy of this game. Hopefully it will be a good game to play.

Overheal

gizmo wrote: »

they've just replaced Ironside

aaaand im done here.

gizmo

COYVB wrote: »

It's absolutely fantastic from what I've played of it so far. Loved it

I hate to have to ask the obvious but from the gameplay shown thus far, Fisher has mainly been running around brightly lit environments taking down enemies loudly and violently. Is this the typical marketing decision to show a more "action orientated" playstyle prior to release and does stealth still remain an option for those interested in it or has the it been completely superseded by the former approach?

COYVB

gizmo wrote: »

I hate to have to ask the obvious but from the gameplay shown thus far, Fisher has mainly been running around brightly lit environments taking down enemies loudly and violently. Is this the typical marketing decision to show a more "action orientated" playstyle prior to release and does stealth still remain an option for those interested in it or has the it been completely superseded by the former approach?

You can genuinely play it however you want, BUT playing as a ghost is much more highly rewarded. The player is shepherded towards stealthy play by getting more rewards, xp and in-game currency for going undetected. Regardless of what's been shown so far, it IS stealth focused

Hardcore mode is ridiculous too, ramps it right up

Turtwig

I loved Conviction even though I expected to hate it. Only thing I didn't like about Conviction was the way guards wouldn't Shut! Up! Also the ridiculous decision to not allow you move bodies once they're dead. Still it was more than possible to ghost a level. The way the AI from the start of level would come to the tangos assistance if you screwed up towards the ends made the feeling of tension as you got closer to the end of a level excellent. You really did feel like you were in a life or death scenario. Unfortunately, if you took the guns blazing approach from the start of the level everything would be too easy. But why am I saying unfortunately? The game gave you the option of how to play it and sometimes the killing can be great fun. Nothing matches the stealth though. Sneaking past a level without killing anyone is a fantastic feeling.

Very much looking forward to this.

Also, Double Agent was brilliant. I still feel sorry to this day about

getting Enrica killed.

DeSelby83

COYVB wrote: »

You can genuinely play it however you want, BUT playing as a ghost is much more highly rewarded. The player is shepherded towards stealthy play by getting more rewards, xp and in-game currency for going undetected. Regardless of what's been shown so far, it IS stealth focused

Hardcore mode is ridiculous too, ramps it right up

That's great news. I can't remember how many times I tried to finish chaos theory with no detection. Love the stealth aspect of it

Corkfeen

Wasn't intending on buying it but these descriptions have made me very excited about Splinter Cell for the first time in years.