Splinter Cell Review

By Kristan Reed Published 16 June, 2003

Ubi finally gets around to releasing its cash cow on the Cube.

Version tested: GameCube

Having reviewed the Xbox, GBA and PS2 versions and previewed the PC version, it's fairly clear to us that Splinter Cell is a damned good game, and if you don't agree, then, well, we're sorry about that. But if you thought we'd had enough of Sam Fisher, the stealth disco dancer, then you obviously haven't been paying attention to the anorexic release schedules that these long hot summer days bring. And like some chubby slackard in a cross-country race, ladies and gentlemen, let us present to you the GameCube version.

No exclusive goodies

'Splinter Cell' Screenshot 1

Rather than tediously run through the storyline and the game mechanics again, which you can read at length here, here or indeed here, we thought it might be more useful to focus on what's different about this version. The most obvious change is the fact that unlike the PS2 and Xbox version, there is no exclusive level to get your teeth into, and this is in fact missing the Xbox and PS2-only levels, in case you expected Ubi to maybe round up all of the disparate bits and bobs.

What it does feature exclusively is one measly new weapon; a sticky bomb that stuns your target. Oh, and some rather pointless GBA connectivity that allows you to use your handheld console as an overhead map, which highlights where your enemies are patrolling, MGS style. And if you also own the GBA version you can download some new levels, but that's some outlay.

The between mission cut scenes are now up to the standard first aired in the PS2 version, and the levels have been trimmed and remixed in exactly the same fashion, so in some respects it's better than the Xbox original, in that the narrative hangs together much more coherently now, and is a somewhat more forgiving game to play.

It's all in the detail

'Splinter Cell' Screenshot 2

On the other hand, graphically it fails to reach the Xbox's high standards, and instead is almost identical to the PS2 version, albeit with a few things missing (like the flame heat shimmer) and other areas patched up (such as better shading in dark areas), but the lack of any blood at all suggests Ninty's German influence in full effect. Overall it's still a stunning game to look at, but if graphics really matter to you, we'd suggest going for the PC or Xbox version. We're still annoyed that Ubi never bothered to include a 16:9 mode for Splinter Cell, and stretching out the 4:3 image makes everyone look like Teletubbies; this rather unpleasant state of affairs remains for the Cube. Sort it out Ubi; how hard can it be?

One appalling change to the GameCube version is the sound, which has been noticeably downgraded - as if it's been sampled at a lower rate to cram all the data onto a single disk. It doesn't affect the playability or the gameplay, but it's annoying, all the same. We now appreciate that Capcom releasing its Resident Evil games on two discs isn't just a cynical marketing exercise; damn these wee disks.

Control wise, there have been some compromises, but in general it works as well as it ever has. The one thing that began to bug us after a mere few minutes was the way that if you flick the C stick downward too quickly, you'll activate the binocular. And in the panic/heat of battle, you'll probably end up looking at the bloke who's shooting you in the face through a pair of binoculars. Hmm.

The loading time is roughly on a par with the PS2 version, and never seems to stray into irritating territory when you're forced to restart a section. Overall it's a respectable port, and in the current climate of GameCube doom, owner of the Tonka toy should be grateful that Ubi bothered at all.

Just buy it, why don't you?

Despite the Cube version being about as exciting to owners of the original as the resignation of a government cabinet minister to a blind, deaf mosquito from North Africa, it stands as one of the essential games to own on the platform, providing it's your one and only games system. If you're lucky enough to own other systems too, we'd suggest you check out those versions for the simple reason that you get more value for money. Which one's the best out of the lot? We'd have to still stick with the Xbox, despite its tendency to result in the destruction of joypads and passing enquiring faces. Whatever. If you still don't own Splinter Cell, we suggest you do the decent thing and march yourself off to the shops forthwith!

8 / 10

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Picture of Kristan.

About Kristan Reed

Kristan is a former editor of Eurogamer, dad, Stone Roses bore and Norwich City supporter who sometimes mutters optimistically about Team Silent getting back together.

Read more articles from Kristan by visiting the Kristan Reed archive page.

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Comments (23) Latest comment 9 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • FWB #1 9 years ago

    PC or GC version then?

    Although its all irrelevant to me. I have too many games already.

  • Killerbee #2 9 years ago

    Hmm, I was just about to say "PS2 version it is then", but should I perhaps consider getting it on the PC?

    Doh, I hate all this multi-platform stuff!!!! :)

  • Concrete #3 9 years ago

    But surely the Resident Evil games were origionally PS1 games - so there should be more than enough capacity on a Gamecube disk to put them both on without cutting out anything?

  • Killerbee #4 9 years ago

    But surely the Resident Evil games were origionally PS1 games - so there should be more than enough capacity on a Gamecube disk to put them both on without cutting out anything?

    Eh?

  • Alastair #5 9 years ago

    This may be a silly question but are you going to review the GBA version?

  • FWB #6 9 years ago

    Here, Alastair. :)

  • Wobbler #7 9 years ago

    I agree with Killerbee - I have all platforms, and I don't know what to get this on. I certainly don't have 'mad gamer skillz', so the XBox version might be too difficult and/or frustrating to deal with. I 've got a high-end PC, but I'm not really into using that for gaming anymore, PS2 seems to be the weakest graphically, athough with the best controller, and the Cube version seems decidedly average.

    *Sigh* Decisions, decisions...

  • gizmo #8 9 years ago

    I finished the xbox version so it can't be THAT hard!

    Bit worrying about the sound being downsampled to fit on the liddle diskywiskys, the whole audio ambience is a big part of the game.

  • Alastair #9 9 years ago

    FWB: Doh!!
    :o)

  • cynic #10 9 years ago

    Have to say not too impressed with this game at all. A.I. of enemies is laughable. Seen scenarios when you shoot an enemy soldier right in front of his comrade, prompting 'man down, we have a man down....blahdeblah'. So of he goes to hunt down whoever perpetrated this terrible crime, to the accompiniment of dramatic music. 2 minutes later he has forgotten all about his comrade, and puts the whole thing down to.........'Ah, it must have been a shadow'........ I nearly pissed myself, have found the most fun to be had in the game is to see how many more of these howlers I can prompt.
    Secondly, it is by far, waaaaay toooooo easy. This one is going back to Game for a full refund.
    Maybe sounding too harsh, it does have its good moments, and not trying to put anyone off, I just found I don't like this sort of game really.

  • daveo #11 9 years ago

    My fave stupid AI moment was when I was spotted by a bad guy I ran into a broom cupboard (where I'd previously taken out the lights) and stood in a shadow. Guard looked in, declared 'He's vanished!' and wandered off. And I also finished the xbox version and it wasn't that hard except a bit on the penultimate level which involved getting a lot of things dead right in between save points.

  • UncleLou #12 9 years ago

    Hm, I didn't think SC was easy at all, but it has its Ai problems certainly. It's tough though, if you make the AI too realistic, it would get unplayable. Imagine once you're spotted, all the guards would actively hunt you down till they find you. You could only compensate that by making the player nerly invincible, which would mean to sacrifice the (more or less) one-shot-one-kill approach, and certainly reduce the tension. And you'd have an empty level then. :p

    Apparently, the Thief 3 development team has these problems atm. Guards are said to be pretty smart and really search you in teams, ligting candles you blow out and generally using theit torches to search dark corners, which makes the game nearly unplayable.

  • cynic #13 9 years ago

    #Hm, I didn't think SC was easy at all, but it has its Ai problems certainly. It's tough though, if you make the AI too realistic, it would get unplayable. Imagine once you're spotted, all the guards would actively hunt you down till they find you. You could only compensate that by making the player nerly invincible, which would mean to sacrifice the (more or less) one-shot-one-kill approach, and certainly reduce the tension. And you'd have an empty level then. :p

    Apparently, the Thief 3 development team has these problems atm. Guards are said to be pretty smart and really search you in teams, ligting candles you blow out and generally using theit torches to search dark corners, which makes the game nearly unplayable. #

    yeah, see your point about the A.I., but its still really funny when it happens. Couldn't suggest a way round it though either, always easy to point these problems out I guess, not so easy to suggest a remedy.
    Secondly, its not piss easy, but it doesn't take long to figure out what to do and to then do it, and with so many save points/checkpoints, its a bit of a breeze. Don't get me wrong, I don't like games where you are constantly lost as to what to do next, and are pointless excercises in memorising the correct sequence to do things in either.
    I just don't think it has given me enough longevity to merit me giving them £40, any game that I complete before the 10day return policy of Game, and gives me no incentive to pick it up again after completeing it, then I return it always.
    Edited by 1 at 16/06/03 @ 16:07

  • UncleLou #14 9 years ago

    NOLF2 "solved" this problem by really alerting nearly every guard in the level sector once you fire a shot or a guard detects you, and letting guards "respawn" upon player-induced actions. This worked pretty well for some of the levels (outdoor levels with a few buildings, with more guards arriving by snow-mobile, not just respawning out of thin air), but could get y bit annoying in some of the indoor levels where you asked yourself where the hell they came from.

  • gizmo #15 9 years ago

    Quite an interesting problem really, which I suppose will become more and more prevalent as realism / AI improve in forthcoming games. I mean what chance would sam fisher REALLY stand of achieving all of that in real life? Its kinda like Rambo syndrome, all it would've taken was one guy to actually aim at him with an AK47 and thats the end of the film.

    I suppose the alert idea is quite good, so the guards take a defensive position, and then maybe call a 'search and destroy squad' who take a little while to arrive, giving you chance to take up a position/ambush and generally ready yourself for a huge potential last stand...

    Anyway, I think I'm bored of stealth games for now, BTSIDI, I'm more into vietcong, wading thru the jungle with an M60 spraying :)

  • AnotherMartin #16 9 years ago

    As are the graphics, unless they've upped the PS2 version since the demo I played.

  • AnotherMartin #17 9 years ago

    I think this is one of the most over-rated games ever. The review makes it sound like a must play title that everyone will enjoy and it isn't.

    I think their other reviews go into this a bit more. This one, as stated is more to do with the differences and does suggest reading the others for the full picture. They're probaly assuming that everyone knows what this game is like by now.

  • cynic #18 9 years ago

    *I think this is one of the most over-rated games ever. The review makes it sound like a must play title that everyone will enjoy and it isn't.*
    Took my copy back today for a refund, didn't take long to complete.
    Bit of a barren few months releasewise though.
    Have EG done a Wario World review out of interest.
    What is the best cube racer, is it burnout 2? Didn't like original as had to watch the crashes again and again, which got boring after a while, and there was no option to switch them off. Does burnout 2 suffer from same issues??

  • Alastair #19 9 years ago

    'Does burnout 2 suffer from same issues?? '
    No - it's much better in that respect. You still watch the crash, but only once. It certainly doesn't seem as bad as the original.

  • cynic #20 9 years ago

    *'Does burnout 2 suffer from same issues?? '
    No - it's much better in that respect. You still watch the crash, but only once. It certainly doesn't seem as bad as the original. *
    Cheers, may be a worthy purchase to see me through the lean months ahead then.

  • cynic #21 9 years ago

    *Nintendo wont last much longer in the hardware business, if you dont agree with that then your a moron quite simply. *

    Joe P, don't think your genes will last too long in the gene pool either, but hey, thats life.......;P

  • FWB #22 9 years ago

    Nintendo wont last much longer in the hardware business, if you dont agree with that then your a moron quite simply.

    The man has a point. They just couldn't keep up ever since Black and Decker released their Mk5 Screw Drivers.

  • jaa #23 9 years ago

    Black and Decker? Bah, that's for amateurs... As is Bosch hardware. DeWalt is the real thing! :)