Splinter Cell: Blacklist
Producer: Ubisoft
Release Date: August 20, 2013
Platform: Xbox 360, PS3, PC, WiiU
Rating: Mature
Genre: Action-adventure
Spies Like Us
Written by Jesse Seilhan
Sam Fisher is back. Last time we left gaming’s most popular spy, he was taking down bad guys across the globe in the manliest of manners. Players gained the ability to tag enemies and dispatch them swiftly with the new “Mark and Execute” mechanic while Fisher’s grittier side was coming out during his intense and brutal interrogations. A few years later and Ubisoft is rolling out one final Splinter Cell game for the current generation of consoles in Blacklist, an all-new adventure that sees a few welcome changes to the series. The gap in time between Conviction and Blacklist alarmed many, as did the change in voice actors, but any fan of the Splinter Cell franchise should find something to like due to the game’s multi-tiered approach at gameplay.
Early entries into the series focused solely on stealth, equipping Sam with little more than a silenced pistol to get himself out of trouble and often ending missions the moment he was spotted. Later titles loaded the player up with assault rifles, grenades, and all sorts of dubious toys to dispatch the increased amount of guards. Blacklight combines both sensibilities and rewards players for whatever play style they choose to try out. Those who remain in the shadows and create zero noise will end up gaining the most points, but those that distract and avoid will find plenty to enjoy, as will anyone that wants to just straight-up shoot people. You get less points for going that route, but nothing significant enough to detract from that method.
The ability to pick and choose the type of mission you want to go on breaks the game up splendidly. The main missions are always moving the story forward and usually end with some dramatic climax, whereas the side-missions fill in little gaps in the story and give you a chance to play cooperatively with somebody else. There are even wave-based challenges that feel very anti-Splinter Cell from the onset, but end up playing out like the Predator Challenges from the Batman games and unleash a huge sense of accomplishment once completed. Some missions rely purely on avoiding everyone while others force Sam to take out a set number of enemies silently, as a dozen more will appear if he is spotted even a single time. The graphics are as sharp as ever, something Ubisoft obviously takes seriously when approaching one of their only non-annual franchises.
My absolute favorite thing about Splinter Cell: Blacklist is the level design. From private yachts and mansions to lighthouses and diamond mines, there is a huge swath of global scenarios in which you must hunt your prey. Each one is stuffed with multiple paths toward success, built for multiple playthroughs and multiple styles. Sneaking through a populated village feels completely different than traversing through an abandoned mine. There are optional pickups along the way that help tell some of the narrative that can also be picked up later if missed on the first run.
The level of customization is beyond what this series has allowed before and feels more akin to the Ghost Recon series, another Tom Clancy favorite. Sam has multiple suits that are all malleable to fit whatever play style you have in mind and can even be modified in the field if a situation gets a bit more violent than you were anticipating. You can hold up to three weapons at all times, some of which (like the Tactical Crossbow) can be fitted with multiple ammo types. Then there is the litany of gadgets: the standard cameras and noisemakers exist, sleeping gas and sticky shockers return, and a new remote-controlled helicopter adds another degree of craziness to the game. The variety in gameplay is complimented well by this variety of weaponry, and combined it makes for the most fulfilling Splinter Cell game of this generation. It is a must-play for any fan of stealth and action.