GAME
REVIEW
Splinter
Cell: Blacklist
Sam Fisher is back, and after emerging from
the development shadows, it’s clear that the
long wait has been well worth it.
W
hile not everyone, particularly longtime fans of the Splinter Cell
series, may have always agreed with the direction in which the
more recent entries have headed (Splinter Cell: Conviction,
for example), we suspect there will be little argument that Blacklist is
a slickly produced game that is certainly compelling. The game starts
with a group calling themselves The Engineers setting off a brutal attack
on America, and promising more to come. Enter Fisher and a quickly
comprised Fourth Echelon team to thwart the impending danger.
Play our way
To its credit, while the game wears its stealth credentials proudly on
its sleeve, it does offer you a choice of three playstyles. Those opting
to be a virtual ghost can approach missions with the aim of remaining
consistently invisible (there is still something thrilling about hiding in the
shadows practically under your opponent’s nose while they are none the
wiser). Playing as a Panther (our favourite), enables you to be as deadly
as an assassin, killing lights and emerging from the shadows only to
October 2013 | TechSmart
strike and dispatch your enemies, before melting back into the comforting
dark. Players who prefer a more direct approach to missions can instead
opt for the no holds barred Assault (shooting first and never asking
questions). Playing according to these styles awards you with points and
cash, which can be spent on upgrading your exhaustive arsenal of gear.
THE GAME WEARS ITS STEALTH
CREDENTIALS PROUDLY ON ITS SLEEVE.
Along with an array of destinations to infiltrate and missions to undertake,
Fisher and co’s base of operations is a feature in its own. This military
aircraft called the Paladin, packs enough tech and gear to make Tony
Stark drool with envy.
To the point
Ultimately, Splinter Cell: Blacklist show just how long a way the series has
come since 2002, but we ended up being most pleased that the latest
entry has stepped into the light. It’s well worth skulking or rushing into a
retail store, or sneaking online, to pick up. R500. [RN]
63