Splinter Cell Conviction (Xbox 360)

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell franchise has been around since 2002 and has since spawned 5 sequels, the newest being Conviction.  Touted for its methodical and almost completely stealth-based gameplay, Splinter Cell has remained one of Ubisofts highest selling franchises to date.  Unfortunately, with 5 games being released in as many years (2002 through 2006) Splinter Cell started to become last years news.  Back in 2007, Ubisoft decided to try and reinvent Splinter Cell's gameplay (as evidenced in this old trailer.)  Gone it seemed were the shadows, the gadgets, and apparently our protagonists care for self hygiene.  But James, he doesn't look like that on the box art you're showing us!  Let me finish..apparently Ubisoft didn't like the idea of an Assassins Creed style Splinter Cell game so they scrapped it and went with a more traditional level based game.  If you've played the new Conviction or seen trailers, you can still see many of the original concepts gameplay (some settings, animations for throws).  But did Ubisofts decision to delay the game and completely overhaul it pay off?

Since 2002 we've stepped into Sam Fishers shoes.  Conviction has our hero on a mission to find the truth about his daughters death.  Originally thought to be an accident, Sam finds out that it was planned and sets out on his own to uncover what really happened.  Since Sam is a lone wolf in this game, most of his gadgets are no longer available.  The developers have given us some new tricks though like the fun Mark and Execute where you can mark multiple enemies and take them out with one quick sweep.  The game also fades to black and white when you're hidden from enemy sights on your mission to find the truth about your daughters killer.  To be honest, the story doesn't really factor in too much to the overall game and you could really just glance over it without losing much.  There's not really too much that compels the player to want to gain attachment to Sam and I believe that Ubisoft was banking on the fact that players already know a little about him.  Even if you tried though, you wouldn't have much time to because the game is over in under 8 hours!  That's not to say that the game isn't enjoyable, but in a market with lengthy single player games, open worlds, and major plot changing decisions, Conviction doesn't offer too much replayability, at least in the single player department. 

Co-op play was one of the major reasons many gamers had their eyes set on Conviction.  Splinter Cell Chaos Theory showed gamers how much fun co-op stealth could be (especially against two other players.)  Does Convictions multiplayer live up to the recently deceased Chaos Theory?  Well..that depends on your perspective.  Conviction offers its own co-op story where you control Kestrel and his whiny american counterpart Archer.  Besides the story, you're given three other modes in Hunter (eliminate all enemies), infiltration (eliminate without being detected) and Spy vs Spy (self explanatory and unfortunately not Mad Magazine inspired).  This is where I truly had a lot of fun and Convictions new Mark and Execute feature becomes a must (at least on the harder difficulties).  Like the single player romp though, multiplayer can be over in a heartbeat and you're left with having to replay the same game types over and over.  Many are wondering why Ubisoft didn't put in a Spies vs Mercs mode like Chaos Theory and I too am baffled. 

SUMMARY

Pathetic

Very Short Game

Some glitches (being able to shoot through walls with Mark and Execute)

No SPIES VS MERCENARIES MODE

Not much in the replayability department

Very Nice!

Stealth kills and Mark and Execute are very satisfying
Multiplayer is a blast to play
Single player is still enjoyable while being short
Interrogations are entertaining enough

FINAL GRADE: B+

Conviction is a fun game and definitely enjoyable.  I had a lot of fun with the multiplayer and the new gameplay additions are a nice touch.  This isn't the type of game though that I see myself playing months down the line and because of its length, I don't think it really justifies a $60 purchase.  Definitely worth a try though especially with a partner.