In the months leading up to the release of Splinter Cell: Conviction Ubisoft was strongly promoting the idea that this wouldn't be the same Splinter Cell we've gotten used too. For the most part, they were right. This is a new experience with an entirely new feel to it. The game successfully conveys the idea that you are no longer a controlled government agent performing concise, efficient attacks to complete an assigned mission. Now you're using bad ass, brutal tactics to accomplish your own personal goals. In fact, the only part of Conviction that occasionally feels similar to a Splinter Cell game is while you're planning your attacks from the shadows. Even then though, you feel more like you're hunting from the shadows rather then hiding in them.
Another great improvement for the series is the plot. Whereas past Splinter Cell games were known for their extensive cut-scenes and slightly far-fetched story lines that were nearly impossible to become invested in, Conviction let's you play out the story while pulling you in by making it personal. Rather then it being simply another mission to save the world for super spy Sam Fisher it's a story about Sam Fisher, the man. What motivates him, why he does the things he does, the emotions he feels and how he handles them. You actually care about Sam and you want him to succeed. This occurs not only because of the subject matter addressed but also because of how it's addressed. There are nearly no cut-scenes in the game at all, instead you get to play through the game as the story is projected onto the walls around you. It's a clever plot device that keeps you invested in the story while cut-scenes (particularly long ones) tend to pull you out of it. This personal stake in the story is what gives it it's impact and makes you care. This new level of storytelling isn't exclusive to the single player campaign either.
The Co-Op story uses a lot of the same techniques as the single player (next to no cut-scenes, projecting the story on the walls, etc.). What is truly surprising though is that the co-op story is nearly as interesting as the single player one. It follows an American agent (Archer) from Third Echelon and a Russian agent (Kestrel) from Third Echelon's Russian counter-part, Boron. They are attempting to track down four different EMP devices. It acts as a prequel to Sam Fisher's story in the single player campaign. To be honest, when I started the co-op story I didn't think I would find it engrossing in the least but by the time I was half way through the first act I found myself caring not only about where the plot was headed but also about Archer and Kestrel themselves. Archer and Kestrel are not only the main reason the co-op story succeeds but they are also responsible for contributing an extra layer of depth to the other multiplayer modes.
The other multiplayer modes are a bit more standard and a bit less gripping then the co-op story but they are still enjoyable. There's Hunter, Last Stand, Infiltration, and Face-Off. In Hunter you and your partner need to eliminate all enemies in an area before moving on to the next area. In Last Stand the two of you must defend an EMP against waves of enemies and Infiltration has you and your partner sneaking into a compound undetected. Finally Face-Off has the two of you...what else...facing off, it's you and a group of A.I. soldiers going up against your partner and his group of A.I. soldiers. All of these modes are entertaining and are worth trying but none of them are incredibly thrilling, particularly after a few times playing them. They give you everything you would expect them too, which is more of the fun tactics from the solo campaign, but aside from more of the same kind of fun they don't really add much. So they might be worth visiting now and again but ultimately, you probably won't become addicted.
The biggest problem anyone might have with Splinter Cell: Conviction is the fact that it is so different from the standard Splinter Cell formula. Conviction will most likely pull in a lot of new fans to the franchise, people who didn't enjoy the older games, but at the same time it will probably upset die hard fans. These decisions will most likely be made by all the preview material and not the game itself, thus is the nature of the gaming community. Ironically Conviction is not such a massive move away from the Splinter Cell formula that people who hated the past games will fall in love with this one, or vice-versa. It's actually a true stealth action game because if you will need to use your guns and your explosives but at the same time you can't hope to succeed by simply treating it like a cover based shooter. This means that this game has the potential to please everyone or to make everyone very angry.
Personally, as someone who didn't enjoy past Splinter Cell games, I found this game to be an overall enjoyable experience with a few weak spots but thanks to the great story I worked my through them.
8.5 out of 10
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