And not a moment too soon, because multi-player is where all the fun is. The game features a separate co-op campaign, which is fairly lengthy and extremely enjoyable. Granted most of the complaints about the single player are just as valid for the co-op missions, but the ability to co-ordinate with your friend, to plan out an attack, and then to botch it all up in execution and blame each other never gets old. The co-op campaign levels also feel better designed than the single player levels. And there are multiple checkpoints throughout each level so that you don’t have to start from scratch if you want to take a break.
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Aside from the co-op campaign, there are other multi-player modes available. Hunter plays out like terrorist hunt from Rainbow Six: Vegas, but it has its own twist on things. You start each part of the level with a set number of enemies to eliminate. However, if you set off an alarm, the number of enemies doubles up immediately. It’s a fairly decent incentive to stay hidden and quiet. Infiltration mode (unlocked from Uplay) is similar to Hunter, the only difference being that you have to eliminate hostiles without being detected. And as with all the other multi-player game types, it can be played with a friend in split-screen or over Xbox LIVE. The last co-op mode is Last Stand. It’s probably the least interesting of them all as its simply defending a generator from hordes of enemies.
Face-off is the only competitive multi-player mode available. Sadly, it’s restricted to two players, but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s ridiculously fun. You and your opponent are thrown into a map alongside a bunch of enemy AI. The objective is to rack up points by killing each other and the AI enemies. It’s faster paced than the other game modes and it’s extremely addictive and fun. The only downside to all the multi-player modes is that they share the same maps.
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There are some other minor issues worth mentioning. The game uses a checkpoint save system, and while this works fine most of the time, there are occasionally lengthy segments that you will end up replaying because of the lack of a checkpoint. Thankfully, it doesn’t happen too often and it’s mostly restricted to co op. Also, at times, Sam will shoot people through walls when using mark and execute, which makes it feel a bit glitchy. And there are a lot of sound loops from enemies, especially when last known position comes into play. They will just stand there, staring at your ghost, repeating the same line endlessly. Lastly, the game uses a black and white filter to show that you are hidden. It’s a bit annoying at first, but you get used to it soon enough. However, because of the filter, it can be a bit hard to know when you are about to move into a well lit area.
Visually, the game is just about competent. It doesn’t look great, but it’s not a poor looking game either. It’s a shame, because Splinter Cell games always used to be at the cutting edge of technology, so watching this jaggy, average looking game can be a stark reminder of how things have changed. Things fare better in the sound department. Most voiceovers are good and the music is excellent at times. All in all, it’s nothing exceptional but nothing much to complain about either.
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Conclusion
All things considered, I still think the game is worth a look, but only for the multi-player. As far as the single player is concerned, may be simplified games are the order of the day now, and maybe there is no room today for games that require any sort of lateral thinking or forward planning. But even judged by those absurdly low standards, Conviction doesn’t acquit itself too well. Its shortcomings are too apparent, regardless of its pedigree or which genre you consider the game to be a part of.
But I can’t honestly blame Ubisoft for trying to change things either. Consider this an experiment. It didn’t work, but at least there was an attempt to try something new. After all, without the shortcomings of Assassins Creed, we wouldn’t have had the astoundingly good sequel. So maybe this is a pit stop on the road to better things. But as things stand, Splinter Cell: Conviction isn’t a place you would remember fondly once you are back on the road.
(+) Excellent co-op campaign
(+) Fun multi-player modes
(+) Improved storytelling and presentation
(-) Bland, boring single player
(-) Poor AI
(-) Some cheap difficulty spikes
Title: Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Conviction
Developer/Publisher: Ubisoft Montreal/Ubisoft
Genre: Action
Rating: 18
Platforms: PC (Rs 999), Xbox 360 (Rs 2,499)
Reviewed on: Xbox 360
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