User Reviews (31 - 41 of 276)

Show these reviews first:

Highest Rated
Lowest Rated Newest
Oldest Most Helpful
Least Helpful

H-A-R-D, But Incredibly Fun

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: November 11, 2003
Author: Amazon User

First off, the XBOX version is the one to buy. The graphical difference is like playing two different games. It's so much better on the 'BOX.

This game has been critically acclaimed and for good reason. It's a GREAT stealth game that actually feels like one. I never thought that Metal Gear Solid felt like a stealth game. It was good, but it just didn't represent the genre well in my opinion. I think this game defines that genre. But man, is it HARD! I've been playing games for 12 years and this is one of the hardest games I've ever experienced. You have to take your time and plan your moves. You cant just rush into a room and start shooting. The people inside will set off alarms and you fail the mission if an alarm is set off. You have a gun, but rarely have to use it. This is the type of game that will push your nerves to the limit and make your hands sweat. A really cool feature in this game is the XBOX Live downloadable content. If you have XBOX Live, you can download new levels that are even harder. If you can handle the pressure, you HAVE to have this game. In my opinion, it's an instant classic.

A Fun Graphical Masterpiece

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: July 12, 2004
Author: Amazon User

This is one of the best games I have ever played. It is so awsome. It is a stealth game. Heres more detail:

Graphics: 5 out of 5

Amazing. The guards and people can't see you in the shadows or dark spots, just like in real life. The graphics are revolutionary. The animations are smooth, and the textures are detailed. When you pick people up, their motions are great. This is the prettiest game on Xbox.

Sound: 5 out of 5

The sound is amazing as well. The footsteps are good, the guns sound awsome, and the people talking are awsome. That means, when you are hiding, you can evesdrop on the guard's conversations. The script writing for them is excellent. Here's an example:

Guard 1: How you doin'?
Guard 2: I'm tired.
G1: Why? Workin' overtime?
G2: Yeah. Ever since that blackout the boss said things should change. The security's tight over here. We can't risk an info leakage now.
G1: Yeah, well, things happen.
G2: I know. I gotta go now.
G1: I'll see you around.
G2: Bye.

That was something like one of the conversations in the CIA level. The con. was better that what I wrote, but that is only an example. The writing is also better than mine, but I don't want to go back through that hard level just to find that one conversation. (it's the hardest level in the game) There are also more, better ones. (also: after the conversation ends, you grab guard 2, knock him out, and hide him in the closet!)

Gameplay: 5 out of 5

This is the best stealth game ever. It is the best game on xbox besides halo. You infiltrate, do objectives, destroy, kill, knock out, and hide bodies. When you hide in shadows, the guards can't see you even if they're staring right at you! Just like in real life! Also, if you make noise, they might here you and start searching. The levels are made awsomely. (is that a word?) The level layout and design is the best part of the game. That all adds up to one extremely fun experience. You also can do multiple paths to get past people. For example, in the level, "Chinese Embassy 2", at the beginning there is a part where you have to go into a resturaunt, go into the kitchen and climb up a hidden ladder, and in the kitchen there is one chef, and in the dining rooms there are two guards eating. In order to do this, you can either- a) Sneak through the front door, sneak to the bathrooms, throw a grenade by the table the guards are eating (killing them), shoot the cook and climb the ladder, or- b) Get an empty glass bottle, go to the front door, and smash the bottle. The guards will start searching near the door to see what happened. While they are searching, go to the back door of the resturaunt, sneak through the kitchen, past the chef, and up the ladder. The gameplay is awsome!!! The only problem is that some parts in the game are very hard. They are not impossible, but it may take you hours or even days to get past that one part. Some of these parts are made up of trial and error. You have to see the layout, try something, and if it doesn't work, you try something else. But it's still fun.

Lengthetivity: 5 out of 5

Very fun game. There are nine long, challenging, very fun levels. This game took me two months to beat. Also, it is so fun, that you may play it again just for fun.

Overall: 5 out of 5

Rent or Buy?

BUY!!! Every xbox owner should have this game and have it now! It is the best game ever (besides halo)!

Pros:

1. Revolutionary graphics
2. Outstanding sound
3. Awsome, outstanding, amazing gameplay
4. You can evesdrop on wonderfully written conversations!
5. Great level, map layout and design
6. Challenging and long
7. Good weapons and gadgets
8. Guards can't see you in the shadows
9. You have to hide knocked-out people's bodies
10. Good objectives
11. Great save system
12. After you're done, you can download new levels via xbox live
13. Just plain awsome

Cons:

1. After you finally beat it, you don't unlock anything. All you can do is go through it again and play for fun.

Any Xbox owner should buy this game. Anyone alive must have this game. It is wonderfully awsome!

Splinter Cell Stinks

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 8 / 18
Date: March 18, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I've just finished the third or fourth mission in "Splinter Cell", and I am very disappointed in your game. Is there a money-back guarantee on this frustrating, phony, stupid thing?

What don't I like about Splinter Cell:

1. The wretched, stupid, never-to-be-sufficiently-cursed, 3rd person interface.
I want to be IMMERSED in the games I play, to temporarily lose myself in the adventure of a new world or a different life. A good game is like a good book in that regard, you lose track of time, and forget yourself. You get immersed in your characters situation and forget your own. NOT with 3rd person!NOT with Splinter Cell! Instead of being Sam Fischer, I am Sam Fischers' puppeteer! I do not want to be a game characters puppeteer! I want to feel like I am the game character- not his hard working chauffer.

2. The lack of simple things - LIKE A STUPID KNIFE! Like BINOCULARS! Like a COMPASS!!- it's nice to have a COMPASS when your controller says things like "go east"! EAST? Duh. I'm Sam Fischer, top field operative- too bloody stupid to pack a freakin' knife, a pair of binoculars, a first-aid kit, and a compass. I'M SMARTER THAN THAT!!

3.The inability to turn off the stupid musical accompaniment! What- does Sam Fischers puppeteer have so little concern for him that he dorks off with a walkman during a mission? It's like an NSA remake of "Shaft".

4.The stupid game doesn't shut down gracefully! I despise unruly programs that re-arrange the cursed icons on my desktop! Don't you test this stuff on different platforms? Quit re-aranging my cursed icons, curse it!

5. It's a challenge- I like those. It's complex- fine, love that. It's a stealth-based game- hip-hip hooray!, finally another Thief type game! Great graphics- love that. But IT IS NOT FUN! I play games because, (or when), they're FUN. Your game is just like a long drawn-out series of chores.Not FUN, Not immersive, it's like going to work- task-task-task.I've played 3 or 4 missions, when does the fun start? Where's the payoff? Why should I do this? Is it fun? NO!!

7. The inability to pick-up enemies weapons. This is stupid! What covert field operative is too stupid to augment his ridiculously inaccurate 22 pistol with a nice AK74? In the stupid oil refinery mission Sams control finally tells him to use any force neccessary-HUH? What force? All he's brought to the party is a stupid inaccurate silenced 22. Now that he's released to use "any force neccessary" can he pick up an AK74? NO! How freakin' ridiculous! What sort of field troop cripples himself this way? NONE! It's bogus, and COULD HAVE BEEN realistic. The guy can pick up stupid poodle-shooter ammunition, he can pick up first aid kits, but can he pick up a rifle when he really, really needs one? NO! How STUPID! HOW PHONY!!

8. The guy starts out without a single first-aid kit! What field operative goes into the field without a med kit? NONE! I don't go CAMPING without a first-aid kit! Guess i'm more highly trained than "Sam Fischer".

9.The phony "open-world" lie. It looks like you could go places that aren't required by the story line -wrong- it only looks that way. The truth is that you're channeled down the "Right" way from the first scene.Explore your world- HAH! You say "He can climb ladders and chain link fences and go hand over hand on overhead pipes- BULL- only on the selected pipes you've picked out! It's phony, and unconvincing.

10.Stupid things- Like all the frustrating stuff - ie you can't open a frikkin' door when carrying a body, you can't switch off a light while carrying a body, your rappel line changes lengths when you want to make "Sam" go down your chute! and so on...

11.In conclusion, your game reminds me of a book you keep reading, or a film you keep watching- even though IT [IS BAD]!! because, (you're sure), it MUST get interesting somewhere along the way, and then it doesn't...

Im an FPS guy but this 3rdPS is still one of the best

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 4
Date: December 03, 2002
Author: Amazon User

I like Halo and Half Life better, but right after those is Splinter Cell. It is frustratingly hard and tedious at times, but it teaches you a methodical thoroughness that no other game can match. It truly is stealth based. Sam Fisher saves the world and it rocks. I own and have played to completion almost all FPS and several 3rdPS on all platforms. This beats its closest 3rdPS relative Metal Gear Solid hands down. It is a quality game and you will actually feel like you got your moneys worth with this one which is no small feat given what these things cost.

Could have been a great game but flaws make this a tech demo

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 5 / 10
Date: March 29, 2003
Author: Amazon User

They give you a stealth suit, map, pda, laser microphone, night vision goggles, fiber optic camera--but they don't give you a friggin' compass. It's real helpful when Mission Control says "Your objective is to the East", and you have zero ability to determine just where that direction is. Without a reference/compass, the map is virtually useless.

Run out of bullets? Too bad. While neatnick Sam can pick up and throw bottles and other trash, he is inexplicably unable to pick up or use enemy guns.

I bet you feel pretty safe hiding in the dark, down a 100' pitch-black corridor. Safe enough to shoot an enemy at the other end of the corridor. Good for you, he's dead. But--oops--his buddy just ran around the corner, and inexplicably starts tagging you with every shot. Nevermind that you shot your target with one bullet from a silenced pistol, you're in pitch-black darkness, and the enemy tagging you with 100% accuracy has no way to see in the dark.

This game prides itself on realism. It's a real shame that the game itself actively works to destroy suspension of disbelief. I quit after the first mission.

Splinter in my side.

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 4 / 7
Date: March 25, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Splinter Cell is a so-so game, what you call 'only interested if that rare mood hits' the whole game consistes of hiding and sneaking, that can be fun but get annoying when a guard catches a glimps of you and comes to investigate, thats when you MUST fight! when there is nowhere to hide! and I have news... You can't! LOL doesn't that sound fun? if you run out of ammo for your tiny last years pistol, the only physical attack you can do while beinf fired at is elbow in the face, hmm... Guard with gun VS Splinter with elbow... Wow, that'll win it.

Good happy things:
You can hide most of the time.
Realistic.
BEST graphics I've ever encountered!
Good missions.
Fun to jump out at people for behind.

Not so happy good things:
Junk weapon! carrys LITTLE amounts of ammo and you never find reloads.
Can't use enemy weapons.
Don't have a knife or any secondary weapon (retired Navy Seal? you'd think he'd sleep with a knife under his pellow.)
Once your found it's almost hopeless to get to safety.
Lacks a 2-player co-op mode.
Lacks choice of level completeion.
Very resticting.
Hard to find weapon & health items (about 1 per level, up to 3 if your lucky)
A little hard to control and keep the camera steadily behind character.
Surpirises 99% of time unpleasant. (I hope you like surprises)

So alltogether it forces me to rank it 3 stars... I would like to give it 5 but I would be lieing. I've had fun here and there but it's more like going to work rather than the beach.
Rent first, everyone has their own opinion.

Fun Game...but not a shooter!

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: January 16, 2003
Author: Amazon User

If you are thinking about buying this game, please rent it first. This game is fun but definitely not for everyone. Like the other reviewers have said you often need to re-load every mission a bunch of times and through trial and error figure out the way through each mission. Waiting and not killing can be difficult for some gamers... especially the not killing part. HOWEVER! If you have the patience this game has great controls and awesome graphics! Splinter Cell can be a very fun game but you have to keep in mind it is not a shooter!

5 out of 5= Greatness

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: November 20, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Splinter Cell changed the way I thought of video games. First it was Goldeneye. Then it was Halo. Now it's Splinter Cell. This game will always be remebered for gameplay, graphics, sound, and it's original. Don't believe me? Go to ign.com or officialxboxmagazine.com.

Cheers and... Cheers!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: March 22, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Halo, it crushed all other games, nothing could stop it- until know. Welcome to THE third-person stealth action game. Welcome to THE most realistic game of all time. Welcome to the world of Third Echelon.
Splinter-cell is arguably the best game for the X-Box. It is my personal favorite game (till pandora, the sequel, comes out) and I would recomend it to anyone with a brain. X-Box live users, rejoice! This games downloadable content (three levels, that's about a third of a game) is the best downloadable content period. The levels (downloadable and included) are some of the most detailed, most immersive, most graphicaly outstanding levels of all time. The graphics are great, the gameplay is great the story is grand and the graphics, it's art, art. Everything is hand drawn, all moves are motion captured, lighting is superb. Please, take of your night-vision for a secound and your realize this is more than just a game.
I am a fps (first person shooter) guy. I love my Halo and my Goldeneye. I thrive on fps. Now I have met splinter cell. The camera LOVES you. Everything is perfectly intuitive.
You don't have a choice, buy or die! Why would you spend 170 bucks for an x-box and not spend the measly 20 bucks on the greatest game known to man? If you are going to buy one game in your life. Make it Halo (or the GTA double pack, that's two games in one you know) but if you are like all of us, and can buy two, get splintercell.
Thank you- know buy.

Splinter Cell: An unbelievable game

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: December 20, 2002
Author: Amazon User

This game is one of the most amazing games I have ever played.

Graphics: 5/5
Sound: 4/5 (soundtrack by The Crystal Method. Muy bueno!)
Gameplay: 5/5
Replay Value: 4/5

The graphics are truley amazing. The game has a shadowing interface like none other. Characters will walk past a light source and will cast a realist shadow. The 2 google views (nightvision and thermal vision) also a work of art, the nightvision googles have the unique blur effect that real nightvision googles have, the farther away something is the more blured it is.

The sound is very good. There are backround sounds that you would expect to hear if it were a real life situation and the soundtrack is also exceptional good. It is fitted to the situation well and really helps set the mood. One problem is that the soundtrack is not large (no more than ten songs) but they are done by the Crystal Method and are very exceptional.

The gameplay is in one word, deep. If you knock someone out they can be revived by their fellows, well, if their fellows see them. Light plays a huge role in the game, stealth is what its all about! You could bust your way through guns-a-blazing but that would was valuable ammo you would need for later. All of the equipment is under development at this moment and because the game is set in the near future it is quite possible to, in 5 years, to military personal hoisting the weapons you see in the game. There are 10 huge levels and if that isn't enough two, at least, are going to be let out on XBOX Live for downloading! The game is a good length (20-30 hours if you take time to enjoy the game) and is o so realistic.

THe reply value is only 4 out of five because there are only Normal and Hard difficultlies and there aren't any extras for beating the game.

This is a game truely worthy of the Tom Clancy franchise.

Note to the Reader: Do not compare this game to Metal Gear Solid 2, they are two very different games and are both amazing in their brillance.

Review Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next 

Actions