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Good looking, bad playing

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 3 / 4
Date: August 15, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I probably should have rented it first because this game is horrifically difficult. I didn't play the first Splinter Cell, but bought this one after reading glowing reviews and listening to my friends who said it is the best game ever made. I've put 30+ hours into it so far and haven't gotten past the second level. I never will because I'm sick of doing the same thing over and over. My copy of this game has been earmarked for the "Previously Played" bin at the local game store.

Everything the first was, times 10!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: May 30, 2004
Author: Amazon User

The first Splinter Cell was just...stunning. It changed the spy genre forever. It took a fairly small genre, and turned it into one of the biggest. Splinter Cell changed gaming forever, and sold millions upon millions of copies in the process. It won dozens of awards, was hailed as one of the top 5 games of 2003, or even one of the best games of all time. All that is to give you an idea of how good the first Splinter Cell really was. Well, Splinter Cell #2, Pandora Tomorrow, is everything the first one was. And much much more!

1) Gameplay~ Most of the controls in this game are exactly the same as the first. A few things have been changed. For example, the black button is now the "whistle" button. You can do a half jump in a smaller hallway, and of course the full split jump in the larger hallway. They also changed a few buttons. When hanging from a ledge, the B button is now the button that drops. You can also do a Swat Turn when having your back against a wall and pushing A. All this and more have been changed from the original. And in my opinion, it's an improvement.

This game has about a dozen levels, and yet again, an amazing story. There are many more cinematics, bringing the story closer to home. The levels look amazing, and are a blast to play. Each level is fairly large, and every section requires a new talent and skill to beat. It is so much fun to play, and each thrilling minute will keep you coming back for more. The gameplay is amazing, and ups in every way on the first.

2) Graphics: The graphics are, yet again, jaw dropping. The shadows, lighting, texture! It's like REALLY being a spy. It looks so real! The grass blades blow as the wind blows, everything, even the wires on a fence, have a shadow. All of Sam Fisher's moves look cooler, yet more realistic, then before. It just looks amazing, pushing the limit for even the mighty XBOX. Using every last ounce of power to provide that last detail of the crack in the wall, or the crawling of a bug. It really brings this amazing game to life!

3) Online: This is where this game really shines. Once online, you start off as a level one. You can join any number of games (there are always several dozen to join at any moment). There are about 8 maps, and 3 gametypes. Each gametype is a little different. Once in a game, you are either a spy or a mercenary. The spies try to either A) Neutralize console (or extract a tube from it), usually of these consoles. The mercenaries try to prevent the spies from doing this, and protect the target for the set time limit (usually 10 minutes). Also, each team has a certain number of lives. Mercs have 3, and Spies have 4. Each has their own gadgets and moves unique to them. The spies are fast, versatile, and can go anywhere. They can also sneak up behind a merc and grab him. From here, the spy can either hold the merc until he dies (usually 10 seconds), or break his neck. They also see in 3rd person. Mercenaries on the other hand have a deadly gun, mines, grenades, and the ability to kill from a distance. They see in first person.

Overall the online game balances out, and both sides have their disadvantages and advantages. Yet, the talent really shows in a good player, as a good player will always beat a bad player, and the best spies and mercs almost never lose. This game does take a lot of teamwork as well, perfect for friends wanting a game to dominate...together. There is an amazing ranking system, as for every few dozen points, there is a level. Everyone starts at Level 1, and at 0 points. Once they earn 100 points, they increase to Level 2. The rankings work like this, and you can perhaps someday become the best player in the world! (the stats don't reset also).

So as you can see, this game is everything the first one was, and more. It was worth every penny in my book, and is addicting (both offline and on). It is the most popular XBOX Live game right now, and there are always a lot of games to join. It's addicting, fantastic, and overall just a great game. One of those classics that you'll be talking about even years after you beat it. And of course, the game never ends with XBOX Live. A great game, I recommend it 100%! It won't disappoint!

Thx!

obryanstars*

Darkness, silence, and guns are you friends

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: June 11, 2004
Author: Amazon User

the way a stealth game should be
Pros:
Excellent graphics
good storyline
some of the finest storytelling
Impressive new gadgets
Awsome multiplayer mode
Impressive enemy A.I.
The pistol has lazer sight(Which make aiming much easier)
Whistle is a great new edition(I lure enemies then I either knock em out or kill em)
This is so far the truest definition of a stealth game(Offering more stealth than Tenchu and Metal Gear Solid)
Good thing this game has alot of checkpoints(It saves e a ton of time)
One of the best games on Xbox live
This is one of the best games on Xbox
cons:
Hard game(as usual)
Quite a bit of missions where you can't use guns(Which makes it very difficult for me)
Unexpected suprises like mines and tripbombs(Which is why thermal gogles are a definite requirement)
Still easy to die
Nutral:
This game may be one of the best games on Xbox, but it's hard, but those up to the challange should love it(If you didn't like Ninja Gaiden, which I love, then this game isn't the one for you)
Replay value is totaly up to you

This game definitly pulled a socom 2, it is definitly better than the first one. It offers so much that the first one didn't have, and it's a lot more fun as well. If you loveed the first Splinter Cell, stealth games a game with good multiplayer, or a good reason to try Xbox live, you gotta get this game.

Peace

Pandora Tomorrow is an utterly amazing game that offers an extraordinary experience that revolutionizes the stealth genre.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: March 03, 2006
Author: Amazon User

The first Splinter Cell was a revolutionary game that changed the stealth action genre forever. Pandora Tomorrow simply builds on the foundation set by its predecessor and expands on it, which makes it an even more extraordinary game than the original. With the perfect combination of exciting action and stealth tactics, Splinter Cell Pandora Tomorrow is definitely an instant classic.

The story is told in true Tom Clancy fashion. Responding to the growing use of sophisticated digital encryption to conceal threats to the United States, the NSA (National Security Agency) has responded by making a top-secret initiative in creating the Third Echelon team. They use methods of espionage along with cutting-edge technology to collect stored data in hostile territory. Third Echelon is deployed by the government when intelligence cannot be obtained peacefully and when force must be used, but the U.S. denies any knowledge of the team's existence. Third Echelon uses units known only as Splinter Cells, which are the most elite intelligence gathering forces in the world. They consist of a lone operative in the field that is supported by a remote team. Splinter Cells must be small, sharp, and nearly invisible in order to survive. This is where you come in. You are Sam Fisher. You're sent into hostile territory to destroy top-secret documentation held deep behind enemy lines.

The gameplay is very similar to the first game. Fisher's ability to operate both silently and secretly is two of his most valuable assets in fighting against overwhelming enemy forces. While you are a Splinter Cell and you do operate alone, you still have your OPSAT. The OPSAT is like a standard civilian PDA, except designed for military use. It enables Fisher to receive mission objectives and updates from Third Echelon headquarters. It allows you to view you operation goals, personal notes, data, and items in your inventory. It also includes a visibility meter, which is an important indicator of stealth. It displays Sam's level of visibility and shows whether he is lit up and in danger of being detected or if he is completely invisible and undetectable. It will become your best friend on the field. But as a Splinter Cell, you must not only be invisible to enemy eyes but also enemy ears. While running and jumping may be necessary at times, they also generate sound, which will put enemies on alert. You must move slowly while crouched to avoid making sound and to avoid enemies. Another critical part of the core gameplay is alarms. If Sam is detected by an enemy or if they even suspect the presence of an intruder, they are specifically trained to alert other comrades or to trigger alarms rather than to engage Sam by themselves; and due to missions being extremely covert, raising alarms will sometimes result in Third Echelon aborting a mission.

In order to remain invisible, Sam has a wide variety of moves. You must learn how to get around and how to do it undetected. Sam has the basic abilities to walk, crouch, mantle, climb, and roll. He can also perform close attacks with your weapon. You can put your back to the wall, you can shimmy along ledges, you can move along pipes by going hand-over-hand, and you can use zip-lines. Fisher also has the ability to perform split-jumps over narrow corridors. He can also shoot his gun while in split-jump. If he performs a half split jump, he can jump up to higher spots. Drop attacks on enemies are also possible in split jump. In order to remain quiet, Sam can perform quiet landings after jumping. Fisher has the ability to rappel off buildings and to shoot from this position. While hanging from pipes, Fisher has the ability to do hanging shooting as well as upside-down shooting. With his back to a wall, Sam has to ability to perform back-to-wall shooting as well as back-to-wall throwing. The SWAT turn can be performed when peeking at an open door or corridor. It enables Sam to pass through the doorway almost invisibly. Fisher has the ability to pick up and move dead or unconscious bodies in order to hide them. He can also grab enemies, use them as human shields, interrogate them, or he can even force them to cooperate with him. You will need all these moves in order to survive.

Completing missions that are this difficult would be impossible to do without your huge arsenal of high-tech weapons. Of course, you are armed with Sam's trusty silenced pistol. The only difference is that this time around, the pistol is equipped with laser aiming, which shoots a laser at targets. His highlight weapon, though, is his SC-20K. It is light-weight and delivers impressive firepower. It is equipped with a sound suppressor and a multipurpose launcher. It has the ability to fire the following weapons: Ring Airfoil Projectile (incapacitates enemies), sticky cameras (can be fired onto walls and feeds images back to Sam), Sticky Shockers (incapacitates enemies), Distraction Cameras (fired onto walls and can be triggered to attract enemies with sound and then dispenses incapacitating gas), and gas grenades (knocks enemies unconscious).

Besides SC-20K gadgets, Fisher still has an entire arsenal at his disposal. Sam has flashbang grenades, which can temporarily blind enemies, and chaff grenades, which release magnetic particles that can disable electronics. Sam also has his useful lock picks, which enable him to get into locked doors. His disposable picks have micro explosive charges that will shatter the pins in any lock cylinder. To eavesdrop on conversations, Fisher has his laser microphone and can use it to gain useful information. Camera jammers are useful to disrupt surveillance cameras and gain Fisher enough time to sneak by them. Sam also has an optic cable, which can easily be slipped under doors to view the other side. Fisher's highlight gadget would have to be his famous three-light goggles. They can be used as night vision goggles, which amplify low existing light and enable Sam to see in the dark. He also has thermal vision goggles that capture heat signatures, which enable Fisher to see body heat in dark or smoky areas. In enemy territory, you will come across items that can range from the following: wall mines, emergency flares, frag grenades, medical kits, alarm panel, automated turrets, surveillance cameras armored cameras, keypad locks, retinal scanners, booby traps, and motion detectors.

Splinter Cell is not your traditional FPS in which you run through levels with your guns blazing and kill anything and everything. You must, and are required, to use stealth tactics. When you go to kill or knock out and enemy, you basically have two options. First, you can simply shoot him in the head with a round from your rifle or pistol (deadly option), or you can stun him with a sticky shocker or ring-airfoil round from your SK-20 rifle (friendly option). Second, you can sneak up to your enemies and grab them unexpectedly, drag them to the shadows, interrogate them or force them to cooperate with you, and then either kill them or knock them out (deadly or friendly option). Now you are probably thinking this is going to be easy, but it is an extremely difficult task.

Splinter Cell Pandora Tomorrow features some of the most outstanding and dynamic enemy A.I. ever seen in a video game. They respond to everything just like real humans; this means they are smart enough to come searching for you if they detect your presence, they will raise alarms if they sense danger, they will respond to sounds you put off, and they will even go find their buddies if they feel trouble. It's the dynamic A.I. that affects how you will play the game. These are when some of Fisher's moves come in handy, especially his ability to pick up bodies. After you kill or knock out enemies, you can not simply leave the bodies lying out in broad daylight. You must pick up bodies and drag them to the shadows in order to hide them so that they will not be found or discovered. If you leave bodies lying around, guards will stumble across them and raise alarms, which will sometimes end missions.

The gameplay wouldn't be as good as it is without the graphics. With Splinter Cell's revolutionary shadow effects system, it brings a completely new element to the stealth genre. The game makes you use the shadows to stay hidden and remain invisible to your enemies. No game has ever had shadows as realistic Splinter Cell. With the help of a visibility meter that is integrated into your Opsat, you can tell how visible you are to enemies. Detail is put into every aspect of the game. Landscapes always look extremely detailed and full of life. Characters and character animations are stunningly realistic and facial detail and expressions are great. Weapon models are excellent. Almost all textures in the game look amazing and are nice and polished. You might occasionally come across some things in the game that may seem a little blocky, but these moments are extremely rare. Overall, the graphics deliver on almost every front.

Sound effects in the game are awesome. You can hear a whole range of sound effects as Fisher tip-toes along across different surfaces; from the splash of water, to the creaking of floorboards, to the shattering of glass, it is all amazing. Weapons all sound sharp and right on target. Music in the game is great and really adds to the whole effect of being a super-spy. Voice animations are some of the best ever seen in video games. The entire cast is stunning, although some foreign accents seem a little false at time. But the sound is simply icing on the cake for such a great game.

Overall value is pretty good compared to the original. The game, of course, offers the outstanding single player game. But for the first time in a Splinter Cell game, Pandora Tomorrow has an amazing new multiplayer game both online over Xbox Live and offline. The multiplayer is split up into two teams of human players: SHADOWNET Team and ARGUS Corporation. The SHADOWNET team must progress through missions without being spotted and analyze its environment, as well as fulfill the conditions for victory. The Mercenaries team, ARGUS Corporation, must prevent the SHADOWNET team from making progress by tracking them down, find them, and eliminating them. It is an extremely fun and addicting addition to the overall Pandora Tomorrow package. So with the combination of the outstanding single player game and the stunning multiplayer, Pandora Tomorrow is definitely worth purchasing.

The storyline is riveting and pulls the gamer into the game, making them feel like they are right there in the action with Fisher. It will definitely keep you playing all the way through. While the game is difficult and you will find yourself replaying missions, the pure excitement of operating is such covert mission will immerse into the game and you won't want to put it down.

The original Splinter Cell was truly revolutionary. Everybody thought that it would be almost impossible to top such an extraordinary game; but Pandora Tomorrow proves that theory wrong. It builds and extends on the foundation set by its predecessor and delivers with a game that no others can top. It has the perfect combination of exciting first-person action and stealth combat, and it blends them together into one game almost flawlessly. Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow is a truly stunning game that must be experienced and is definitely worthy of the Splinter Cell name.

Stealth and Action to the Fullest

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: May 19, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow is one of those games that everyone is talking about and you have to try it out for yourself. It's a stealthy action game that really lives up to the high expectations. I liked the original Splinter Cell game, but I wasn't looking forward to the sequel very much. This was because I pretty much sucked at the original game, especially playing the multiplayer on xbox live. You have to have a pretty good understanding of the maps, the controls, and your surroundings. You also have to have some practice with the game before you can become good enough to play people over xbox live. I got my [...] kicked SO many times playing this game it's not even funny. Even with all my doubts at how bad I would be at this game, I couldn't resist picking up Pandora Tomorrow the first week it came out.

I played through the single player campaign with ease. Well, not ease I guess, but it went over smoothly. I really enjoyed the single player gameplay, something that I hardly ever like. At least not as much as I like the multiplayer experience. It seemed as though the gameplay of this sequel is toned down quite a bit and makes it easier for a new player to the series to complete the game without having an extremely difficult time. I liked this a lot because it makes for a more "pick up and play" experience and not so much where you have to be SO good at the game. It was like this through the single player campaign that is. When I tried to play online, this was a while different story. I guess I'm just not up to par with my Splinter Cell skills. Again, I got destroyed in pretty much every time I played a match over xbox live. Either I really really suck at this game, or its one of those that you really need practice to be able to play well.

Even though I completely suck at the multiplayer portion of this game, it is still one of the best games overall that I have played in a while. The graphics are great. This game goes into so much detail and the lighting is phenomenal. Sam Fisher (the main character) looks incredible in this game and there is a greater level of detail in his face and his outfits. There are also things like rain and smoke that also look insane and very realistic. The sound in the game is also something that makes it shine above the rest. It's a game here if you play it with the volume too low you might actually miss something crucial to the story. The sound effects are also great along with the dialogue and voice acting. This game is a definite buy for those people looking for a great multiplayer experience. I for one enjoyed the single player game better, but with all the features and modes, you can't go wrong with Splinter Cell Pandora Tomorrow over xbox live (that is unless you totally suck at it like me).

the best tom clancy game yet!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 5
Date: March 31, 2004
Author: Amazon User

what can i say? if you are a fan of tom clancy or the first splinter cell, i recommend this game for you! this game has better detail than the first splinter cell and new moves you can perform with sam fisher. the PS2 version of this game will come out in june, but if you have xbox, get it for xbox. (faster load time, better graphics and maybe even better game play). get this game!

You call this a sequel?

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 3 / 6
Date: April 08, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Overall, I was pretty disappointed in Splinter Cell 2. The game felt more like an extension of the previous game, rather than a sequel. As a result, problems from the first game are back in the second one. For instance, the graphics still suffer from occasional clipping. The enemy A.I. is schizophrenic. On one level, an enemy guard noticed my footprints in the dirt and started following them. For fun, I decided to move around and around in a tight circle and the guard was with me every step of the way. It was comical to see, but not very realistic. Aiming is horrible. I still don't know why it takes five shots to take out a light. The same goes for headshots. The voice acting is atrocious. Michael Ironide as Sam Fisher and Dennis Haysbert from "24" are serviceable, but when South American and Israeli enemies speak in perfect English, it makes you scratch your head. There's also nothing new in the selection of weapons. Sam Fisher can now whistle to distract enemies, but that's about it. Granted, SC2 is still a good game. The CG movies are fantastic. The lighting is photo-realistic and the story is refreshingly complex, albeit a little hard to follow. Still, the game feels more like an expansion pack than a true sequel.

Best first person shooter yet

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 15
Date: February 25, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Splinter cell Pandora tomorrow incorporates all the pluses of the original and all the best parts of it are even better. You can do all the moves of the original, plus a few more. The graphics are even better than the first and there are several outdoor missions in which the sun either sets or rises gradually, changing the shadows in which you can hide. Speaking of hiding, there is now an on screen gauge that tells how visible you are to enemy mercenaries.

There is now a unique multi-player that allows you and three others to play each other, X-box and PS2 have it, but I'm not sure about Gamecube. You can play 1 on 3 or 2 on 2; one side are the spies and the other are the mercenaries. Each are evenly matched, but each have different advantages. The spies can see from a third person view allowing them to be more aware of their surroundings while the mercenaries have a first person view allowing them to shoot more accurately, but they can't see behind or to the side of themselves. Each side has their own gadgets and each have their own weapons as well their own objectives, the spies have to complete an objective and the mercenaries have to stop them. The mercenaries have auto-matic weapons that can easily kill a spy but all the spies have are one shot pistols that can only stun an enemy, thus the only way a spy can kill a mercenary is either by jumping on him or breaking his neck. The mercenaries have the advantage in open combat, but their poor vision means that a spy can gain the upper hand with stealth, at least until they're discovered. This means that both sides need different strategies to win.

Another FANTASTIC game...

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 3
Date: April 11, 2004
Author: Amazon User

This is another standard setting game from the Splinter Cell folks. I laugh when people complain about the number of weapons he can carry, or why its so hard. He's a darn covert operative people, jeesh. This ain't and a run and gun game. The point of the game is to slink around, and accomplish your mission without being seen (most of the time)! If you end the level without ammo, you're playing the wrong game. I ALWAYS have bullets and gadgets left when I'm done playing. People who dislike this game must have a short attention span, and dislike planning their moves or something, because this game is so fulfilling to play.. Even my girlfriend played for 20 mins and said I can see how you like this game..."it's smarter than most games you play"..."you gotta be careful". Shes watched me play the later levels and said its like watching a moive.
If you like the idea of covert missions, and planning your attacks, this is the game for you. If you want to run and gun just to kill everything, please, don't buy this game. I would be willing to bet that people who don't like this game don't understand what the point is, what stealth action is. Those that do like it, get it, and will enjoy it fully. Definitely not for short attention span gamers.

ABSOLUTLY THE BEST (STEALTH) GAME PERIOD

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 3
Date: August 27, 2004
Author: Amazon User

If your looking for a HALO type game this is NOT it,but if you like stealthy hide in the shadows covert action type gameplay with gourgeous graphics than this is a must buy or rent .I recently put in my old splinter cell game and noticed improvments graphicaly on PANDORA . For me the only way to take out enemies is with a head shot(once you get your rifle),cause you have plenty of time to set up your shot.I only wish this game had more levels. Before you know it your done. But its still an awesome game.The gameplay is very smooth. I think its better than the first SPLINTER CELL.But again I say if your looking for a FPS ,this is not a RUN & GUN shooter. Its a stealth game which I found easy to play. But Ive been playing games since BEFORE missle command and pong. So some novice players might get frustrated. Graphics are even better with a "S" video cable or better yet a component cable.I just wish it had at least 20 or more levels/locations . But still a SOLID game.

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