Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Conviction CE

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Conviction CE Review

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I'd attempted to play Splinter Cell games in the past, but never quite enjoyed them. Chaos Theory and Double Agent were decent, but lacked the 'fun' factor. I made it about 20% into both games before I quit and never touched them again.

CONVICTION, is unlike any Splinter Cell game that I have ever seen. The design and gameplay is vastly improved and VERY intuitive. The stealth and cover systems are phenomenal and should be the measure by which all future Splinter Cell games should incorporate.

Part of my frustration and dislike of older Splinter Cell games was controlling Sam Fisher's movements. Now, take-downs, taking cover, and shooting are improved beyond expectation. The controls are easy to learn and do not frustrate.

Visually, the game looks very nice. Cut-scenes and in-game play are woven together very nicely and look excellent.

In terms of the story, I had to Wikipedia what was going on (because I hated playing the other games). I will say that the ending of Conviction is VERY satisfactory. Let's just say that you can go travel two paths...the choice is up to you.

Now some people are complaining that the game was too short. I disagree, the length, while limited to about 6-8 hours (depending on skill/difficulty), was good for me. I dislike extremely time-consuming games and genuinely enjoyed playing Conviction.

On a side note, I appreciate the game's coarse language. It does add a certain value to the game and makes it considerably more entertaining.

COLLECTOR'S EDITION FEATURES:

I purchased Conviction CE used, and am glad I did NOT pay full-price. The features are okay, at best. The game case was not as strong or metallic as I had expected. The art-book is fun to flip through, but other than that, also seems kind of cheap.

The USB drive, for my copy, did not work. It seems that a large majority of these USB drives do not work at all. The contents, however, can be downloaded separately from the UBISOFT website.

Stickers are included, but utterly worthless to me. What am I supposed to do with them? I'm not 8 years old. Then again, an 8 year old shouldn't play this game.

Yes, you do get codes to redeem online for an additional weapon and an outfit. Both items were already redeemed for my copy (part of buying it used online), but really, it's not worth paying extra for it.

All in all, the Collector's Edition is a decent purchase. I generally like steelbook cases, which is why I purchased it. Other than that, I would say pass on it. Ironically, I got the used Collector's Edition (from Amazon) cheaper than the regular game.

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Conviction CE Feature

• A unique co-op mode known as "Prologue" featuring an exclusive story mode full of new characters, settings, four exclusive maps and more. It is only available within Conviction's Co-op mode.
• Collector's Edition bonus items including: exclusive digital media via a collectable USB drive, a hardbound art book, 2 exclusive in-game items, collectable decals, a digital comic book and metal hard case.
• A full arsenal of cutting-edge technologies like the Last Known Position system, that allows you to outflank foes and set traps, and the Mark and Execute feature that allows you to tag enemies and environments for elimination.
• A unique storytelling style that keeps you on the edge of your seat as you navigate the explosive world of a renegade agent where trust is impossible and justice requires you to go above the law.
• Xbox LIVE support made up of addictive multiplayer modes, content downloads, messaging and voice support and more designed to amp up the dramatic intensity like never before.

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Conviction is the fifth installment in the wildly popular Splinter Cell series. A stealth-action combat game centered around the continuing adventures of black ops agent Sam Fisher, Splinter Cell: Conviction picks up where the storyline of the earlier Splinter Cell: Double Agent left off. Packed with a mix of an engaging storytelling, classic Splinter Cell stealth-action, unique co-op gameplay and new gameplay mechanisms for use in both single player and multiplayer modes, it is a worthy addition Splinter Cell catalog of games. This unique Collector's Edition, exclusive to the Xbox 360 platform, includes the game, manual and a wealth of bonus items. See the complete list of these items below. Continue the mission with Sam Fisher. View larger. Unique co-op gameplay and campaign. View larger. Jaw dropping visuals. View larger. All-new combat functionality. View larger. Stealth action at its best. View larger. Story A few years have passed since the cliff hanger conclusion of Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Double Agent, in which Agent Sam Fisher undertook a particularly dirty mission, full of questionable actions, in the shadow of the inexplicable and unmourned death of his daughter. Fisher is now a renegade operative digging into the events of the past and he doesn't like what he has found. His personal investigation into his daughter's death reveals that he's been betrayed by his former agency, the Third Echelon. The agency responds by pursuing him, but as he works to elude them he becomes aware of a deadly terrorist plot that threatens millions. He is uniquely positioned and prepared to act against this, but success is doubtful without the help of former friends from the Third Echelon team, resulting in a series of life and death situations for himself and the country where trust can by no means be assumed. Gameplay Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Conviction, as with all games in the Splinter Cell series, is a tactical stealth-action game. In single player modes players take on the role of Sam Fisher and engage in a series of missions utilizing high-tech weaponry, gadgets, lethal hand-to-hand combat and interrogation skills. Overall objectives and the necessary steps to achieve them are challenging, yet always clear via dual verbal and visual expression that seamlessly alerts players as they progress through missions. In addition, Conviction enhances the world of stealth combat that has made the Splinter Cell franchise a runaway hit for years through a series of revolutionary new gameplay features. These include: Mark and Execute - A gameplay mechanism for eliminating several enemies at once, Mark and Execute allows players to "Mark" multiple enemies, or points in the surrounding environment for termination in batches. Once this is done, a close-combat kill is required, after which the player can activate the "Execute" portion of the mechanism to dispose of all enemies in a cinematic manner. A limited amount of Mark functionality is attached to players' weapons, so this ability must be used wisely. Last Known Position - Last Known Position is a visual representation of where the game's AI assumes you are, based on where you were last sighted. This provides players with a wide array of options, including setting traps for enemies, flanking maneuvers or simply disappearing while you are thought to be elsewhere. Experience System - Successful completion of objectives via the Persistent Elite Creation System earns players rewards in the form of experience points. These can be used to upgrade weapons and gadgets that will allow for cleaner, quieter and more deadly attacks. Co-op Story Mode Prologue, the co-op story mode included in Splinter Cell: Conviction is available either in split-screen local play or via Xbox LIVE. Prologue offers an exclusive prequel campaign to that found in single player mode and features new characters and settings, three difficulty settings, three sub game modes and four maps. Designed to stand apart from, as well as supplement the single player campaign, gameplay mechanics available within it include shareable Mark and Execute target points and Last Known Position, as well as teammate revival functionality via a portable defibrillator, the ability to work with a teammate to eliminate enemies who have captured you, and more. Key Game Features A New Level of Splinter Cell Action - A full arsenal of cutting-edge innovations allow you to outflank foes with the Last Known Position system, tag and eliminate enemies using the Mark and Execute feature, and much more. Blockbuster Experience - A unique storytelling style keeps you on the edge of your seat as you navigate the explosive world of a renegade agent where trust is impossible and justice requires you to go above the law. Jaw Dropping Visuals - A revolutionary new graphic direction delivers an utterly seamless gameplay experience that’ll keep you totally engrossed in the story of Sam Fisher. Explosive Xbox LIVE Play - Addictive multiplayer modes, content downloads, messaging and voice support and more amp up the dramatic intensity like never before. An Exclusive Co-op Story Mode - "Prologue" is an exclusive story mode featuring new characters, settings, four exclusive maps and more. It is only available within Conviction's Co-op mode. Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Conviction Collector's Edition Bonus Items Include: View larger. Custom USB Drive - Compatible with Xbox 360, the drive contains exclusive media including: ‘making of’ video, wallpaper, concept art, storyboards and more. "Fifth Freedom: The Art of Splinter Cell" - A hardbound Prima book of Splinter Cell art, including all games in the series and in-depth commentary and notes. Exclusive in-game Items - The MP5-SD3 submachine gun and an exclusive 3rd Echelon outfit. Collectable Decals - Exclusive Collector’s Edition decals include: 3rd Echelon logo decal and the Bullet Hole decal. "Digging in the Ashes" Comic Book - Digital comic book detailing the sequence of events preceding Splinter Cell Conviction. Steelbook DVD Case - Case with embossed metallic etching and iconic bullet hole imagery.

Splinter Cell: Conviction introduces a number of new gameplay features to the series. One of which is the "Mark and Execute" feature, which allows the player to mark specific targets, such as enemies or objects, and shoot them when they burst through a door or window. The player can choose to prioritize these targets, so that, for example, he could distract one guard by shooting out a light in his vicinity and then take out another guard. Another new feature is the "Last Known Position", which occurs when the player breaks the line of sight of an alerted guard. This creates a visual silhouette of where the guard thinks Sam is, allowing the player to strategically flank his enemies. Main target subjects can use the player's abilities against them. The player can be taken hostage by the subject. If this happens in co-op mode, the hostage's partner can neutralize the subject by any means necessary, possibly even by lethal means.

Other new features include the ability to interrogate characters in real-time and use objects in the surrounding environment against them. A crowd mechanic has been introduced, allowing Sam to vanish within a crowd if under pursuit. The environment is also used to project mission objectives and key plot points onto walls in order to keep the player immersed in the gameplay during the narrative.

Splinter Cell: Conviction takes place roughly two years after the events of Splinter Cell: Double Agent. Sam Fisher has gone rogue from Third Echelon after discovering that the death of his daughter, Sarah, was not an accident. However, Third Echelon, now overly bureaucratic and bound in red tape, is in pursuit of Sam. Sam must use all the help he can get, including former Third Echelon colleague Anna Grimsd tt r, and Sam's friend, Victor Coste, in order to discover the truth behind the death of his daughter. Sam begins with going after his daughter's killer, but he finds himself trying t

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Customer Reviews

Splinter Cell Conviction CE - justice4all72 -
I had purchased Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Conviction on launch and enjoyed the game. I had only played through the campaign on normal and beat it the next day. I didn't bother to try out any of the other game modes so I sold it back in April 2010 and forgot about it. After searching through amazon for cheap games I came upon the Collectors Edition of Splinter Cell Conviction. Being that the price was the same as the standard edition, It was an instant purchase.

I'm so glad I picked up this game again because playing through it a second time and exploring the other game modes make me wish I never got rid of it! Splinter Cell Conviction is an amazing game. The combination of stealth and action was perfectly blended in the gameplay and made it a blast to play through. Deniable Ops is fun to play repeatedly and with the Insurgency DLC out makes for hours of fun.

The collectors edition was a great package overall, the Fifth Freedom art book was a nice touch and was nostalgic for me to look back on the old splinter cell games from the first xbox. I was disappointed in the USB credit card being defective. But however after a brief google search I found the content was on the [...]website. The steel book looks great with the iconic night vision goggles in bullet holes on the cover. I am glad a re purchased Splinter Cell Conviction and am looking at buying more collectors editions for older games here on amazon.



Sep 17, 2010 03:01:16

Battlefield Bad Company 2

Battlefield Bad Company 2 Review

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DICE's console-centric Bad Company makes its return in the aptly titled Bad Company 2.

EA has quietly built the best collection of FPS developers in the business. They have DICE, Criterion (who are still, allegedly, going to make a Black sequel), Respawn (the former Infinity Ward guys), and the upcoming Epic/People Can Fly gem Bulletstorm all under their banner at present. It's a Murderer's Row of gaming that has not been matched, possibly, ever (and I'm still hoping...admittedly, it isn't likely to happen...for a Mirror's Edge sequel as well). Activision's dominance in this arena is now possibly killed permanently.

Bravo Squad returns and they are still a ragtag --- yet exceedingly qualified --- collection of soldiers with a bit of an issue with authority. One thing that comes through loud and clear is that your teammates and you are exceptionally tight...and that you happen to enjoy engaging in some weird-ass dialogue. From discussion of Harrison Ford roles to discussions of the proper way to pronounce 50 Cent's name, they will discuss any absurd topic that they can think of. Whomever wrote the dialogue deserves an award because it is genuinely amusing, but it doesn't seem forced and simply serves to really make the characters seem more real.

The plot has some odd twists and turns...but none of it seems far-fetched. They manage to make the plot perfectly logical, if not a little weird.

You get a really intriguing opening level where you are shown all the basics while being stuck in Japan during World War II at, arguably, the worst possible time somebody can be stuck in Japan. You are then thrown into the modern day setting where your overriding goal is to prevent a Russian general from gaining control of a superweapon. Of course, the plot does not remotely move in a straight line, but the ride you are taken on is one you really need to sit back and enjoy.

One thing the game does exceedingly well is ambient sound. Your guns sound truly powerful. Sniper rifles provide a nerve-wracking crackle that you hear far away right before either you or your target cease breathing. Your other guns all sound powerful and have the impact a weapon such as these should have, Unlike a lot of shooters, enemies aren't bullet sponges (and, in the higher difficulties, you aren't one, either). Your AI teammates will do enough to help you along, but it is impossible to rely on them alone to drag you through a level.

The developers even manage to cram in several different mechanics. In one area, you have to find fire to prevent from freezing to death while traversing the level. You get the pilot tanks, control UAV's, fire remote controlled rockets at helicopters, etc. The game doesn't really get boring, nor does the relentless pace ever seem to let up.

Everything feels properly visceral...chaotic in a way that only war can truly feel chaotic. The vehicle sequences all seem to feel like you're holding on by the skin of your teeth, but in those sequences, that is precisely what you are doing. The vehicles control pretty well, although they do seem awfully fragile. It doesn't take a lot to explode your vehicle.

DICE showed that they can actually do single player gaming. Before this, in Battlefield games, they were quite content to simply slap bots into multi-player maps and call it a single player affair. The prior game had some solid signs, but the storyline was pretty disjointed and it didn't really feel like they put any thought into the sole affair. This time out, though, they have produced a phenomenal single player campaign that is well worth your time and energy to play.

Multiplayer has the same problem all MP games have (namely, there are always a selection of pathetic losers who spend all day playing this one game, so most people will simply get into a match and get slaughtered in seconds...repeatedly). I am not sure how this issue can be fixed (a lot of these trolls would play in a set-aside noob area if they could). This is a growing problem and could end up severely hurting MP gaming online, much as the assorted freaks who became insanely good at fighting games helped kill the appeal of fighting games in arcades.

The single player game alone makes this one a must-buy. If you like the online, it is only that much better.

Battlefield Bad Company 2 Feature

• 8 huge multiplayer maps and 15 land, sea and air vehicles, including the ATV and the UH-60 transport helicopter.
• All-new squad gameplay where players team up with 3 others and fight together to unlock special awards and achievements in 2 squad-specific game modes. These are in addition to awards and ranks achieved individually.
• Destruction 2.0. Take down entire buildings, create firepoints or blow it up entirely. In Battlefield Bad Company 2 there is no place to hide.

Battlefield Bad Company 2 is a first-person shooter, and sequel to Electronic Arts' 2008 release, Battlefield Bad Company. Following the continuing combat adventures of misfits of the US Army's Company "B," Bad Company 2 features the characteristic humor and grit of the Bad Company series, as well as a variety of gameplay improvements and additions, including 2-24 player online support; all-new four man squad gameplay; and more.  Story and Gameplay Like the original Battlefield: Bad Company game, Bad Company 2 is a first-person shooter following the exploits of Company "B" of the US Army's 222nd Battalion. In this new adventure, the more mature yet still infamous company of misfits are tasked with interceding in a series of conflicts that have the potential to ignite of a new World War. Game environments cover snowy mountains, all the way to jungles and deserts. Classic military combat gameplay. View larger. New destructive abilities. View larger. Ultimate online vehicle warfare. View larger. New squad-based play options. View larger. As the action begins players have their pick of four distinct character classes, and weapons, gadgets and specializations. Within these, players have over 15,000 kit variations to discover, and will be able to fine-tune their preferred fighting style to give them the edge in combat that they will need to survive and prevail. In addition, new vehicles like the all terrain vehicle (ATV) and the UH-60 transport helicopter allow for new tactics, which players are free to choose from. As players fight through mission play they will level up their playable character through the ranks as they accumulate experience points in combat for enemies eliminated and objectives completed. Excellence in the battlefield is rewarded with an extensive range of pins, insignias and stars to unlock along with 50 dedicated ranks to achieve. Battlefield 2 also features a major multiplayer component. Along with standard 24-player online multiplayer options across eight maps, players can also compete in 4-player teams in 2 exclusive squad-only game modes, fighting together to unlock exclusive team awards and achievements. During these online battles players can spawn on your squad to get straight into the action, and use gadgets such as the tracer dart in-conjunction with the RPG to devastating effect. Taken together these features make for one of the most realistic ground/vehicle combat experiences ever. The New Frostbite Engine Tactical destruction in Bad Company 2 is taken to new heights with the updated DICE 'Frostbite' engine. Unlike in the first game in the series, which featured considerable, but limited destructible game environments, in Battlefield Bad Company 2 players can now take down entire buildings or create their own vantage points by blasting holes through cover, thereby delivering a unique dynamic experience in every match. Key Features 8 huge multiplayer maps. Each with a different tactical and gameplay focus and set across a variety of environments. Ultimate online vehicle warfare. 15 land, sea and air vehicles, each with a tactical advantage during play. Race into action with the ATV or rain death from above in the UH-60 transport helicopter with its 2 side-mounted rail guns. Intense single player action in dense jungles to snow-torn mountains, following the mature "B" Company on a daring new mission. All-new squad gameplay. Team up with 3 other players and fight together to unlock special awards and achievements in 2 squad-specific game modes. Destruction 2.0. Take down entire buildings, create firepoints or blow it up entirely. In Battlefield Bad Company 2 there is be no place to hide. 'Play It Your Way' experiment and refine your ideal combat style with 4 character classes (medic, assault, recon and engineer), 15,000+ kit variations, 46 weapons (200 different customization opportunities), 15 gadgets and 13 character specializations. Combat efficiency and performance is rewarded with special awards such pins, stars and insignias which contribute to unlocking 50 ranks. Extensive online Xbox LIVE Achievements support.

Get ready for the most spectacular FPS multiplayer experience ever! Battlefield Bad Company 2™ brings the spectacular Battlefield gameplay to the forefront of next-gen consoles and PC - featuring best-in-class vehicular combat set across 8 huge sandbox maps each with a different tactical focus.

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Customer Reviews

This game is so underrated - M-Dub - Phoenix, AZ
I've been a Halo nut for ten years now, and have loved the COD Modern Warfare series. Im telling you if you like fist person shooters then you HAVE to try this game. Rent it first if you have to, but give it a shot. And if you're one of those that complains about the graphics in Bad Company 2 then you're just trying too hard to find something wrong with the game. This is COD MW but add in tanks, helicopters, humvees with mounted 50 cal. machine guns...two words: so sick.
There is definitely a bit of a learning curve, but once you get used to the fact that it is different than Modern Warfare, the game gets really addicting. Go out and get it, you wont regret it.

Best 1st person shooter I've ever played - T. Reeves - Los Angeles, CA
I've played all the Call of Duties and BFBC2 beats them all hands down. The single player is long and detailed with great actions. The multiplayer has awesome maps, amazing details (right down to the exploding buidings you shoot), and the team oriented competition is unbeatable. The realism is unmatched. You won't be disappointed. Call of Duty MW2 has taken a seat on the shelf since I've bought BC2. The best part is that EA has dedicated game servers unlike COD which requires a host so if people leave the game, its doesn't end it for everyone else.


Jul 19, 2010 09:47:05

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3: Athena Sword

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3: Athena Sword Review

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Since I only played this as a single player game, I will leave the multiplayer evaulation to others.

I got this because I liked Rainbow Six 3 Raven Shield. This, being an expansion, is mostly more of the same. Note, that you will need to have Raven Shield installed to install this game (I had already uninstalled it, so had to load it back up again). Unlike others, I actually thought the graphics were slightly better than Raven Shield, but I played a few other games between the two, so I my memory might be a bit confused.

When I played RS, I used the team approach and even some of the planning, but for Athena Sword, I only played it in the action mode, where there is only one team of guys. I tend to switch between the guys, placing them in different locations to cover areas where enemies could be encountered. When you switch characters, the default mode is for all the guys to form up on you, so you have to be sure and hit "HOLD" immediately in order to force them to stay where you put them.

I think Raven Shield is an impressive game for its time and Athena Sword is a nice expansion. The fact that it doesn't offer any significant new capabilities doesn't bother me. It delivered what I wanted: More Raven Shield-like action.

My only complaint is that this was amazingly short. Only eight missions. While expansion packs often tend to be shorter than the original game, I was a bit disappointed by that anyway. I liked everything else about the game, though. For the .50 I paid for it, I give it a thumbs up.

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3: Athena Sword Feature

• All-new single player campaign with 8 missions that span the Mediterranean world
• Safeguard the world order in 5 new multiplayer maps
• Seven new real-world guns, for a massive total of 64 weapons to choose from -- a shooter fan's dream come true
• Incredible new multiplayer modes - Adversarial Terrorist Hunt, Adversarial Scattered Hunt, and Capture the Enemy

All-new single player campaign with 8 missions that span the Mediterranean world Safeguard the world order in 5 new multiplayer maps Seven new real-world guns, for a massive total of 64 weapons to choose from -- a shooter fan's dream come true Incredible new multiplayer modes - Adversarial Terrorist Hunt, Adversarial Scattered Hunt, and Capture the Enemy

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Customer Reviews

I love this game - Megan Grisham -
I like this game alot just recently statred playing these games on PC and started out whit Ghost recon Island Thunder, liked it so tried this.....I really like the diversity of the weapons thats probably the best thing, and you can really set your teams up well. its realistic and fun, cant wait to try the other games



Jul 18, 2010 08:54:04

Ubisoft Action Adventure Collection

Ubisoft Action Adventure Collection Review

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Ubisoft Action Adventure Collection Feature

• 3 exciting tiles in 1 great action-adventure compilation
• Enter the realistic world of modern-day espionage in Splinter Cell
• In Beyond Good & Evil, expose a horrific government conspiracy
• Return peace to the land in Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
• Hours of stealth action; challenging obstacles; immersive environments

The Ubisoft Action Adventure Collection is a set of high-powered action games that will have yo on the edge of your seat!

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Jul 17, 2010 07:31:03

Fallout: New Vegas Collector's Edition

Fallout: New Vegas Collector's Edition Review

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Fallout: New Vegas Collector's Edition Feature

• "Lucky 7" poker chips. Each of the seven poker chips was designed to represent chips from the major casinos found on the New Vegas strip and throughout the Mojave Wasteland.
• A fully customized Fallout: New Vegas deck of cards. Each card in the pack has been uniquely illustrated to depict characters and factions found within the game.
• A recreation of the game's highly coveted "Lucky 38" platinum chip.
• A hardcover graphic novel "All Roads", that tells the story of some of the characters and events that lead up to Fallout: New Vegas. "All Roads" was written by Chris Avellone and created in conjunction with Dark Horse Comics.
• The Making of Fallout: New Vegas' DVD. This documentary DVD will contain exclusive video content, including interviews with the developers in which they take you from concept to creation.

Welcome to Vegas. New Vegas. It's the kind of town where you dig your own grave prior to being shot in the head and left for dead...and that's before things really get ugly. It's a town of dreamers and desperados being torn apart by warring factions vying for complete control of this desert oasis. It's a place where the right kind of person with the right kind of weaponry can really make a name for themselves, and make more than an enemy or two along the way.As you battle your way across the heat-blasted Mojave Wasteland, the colossal Hoover Dam, and the neon drenched Vegas Strip, you'll be introduced to a colorful cast of characters, power-hungry factions, special weapons, mutated creatures and much more. Choose sides in the upcoming war or declare "winner takes all" and crown yourself the King of New Vegas in this follow-up to the 2008 videogame of the year, Fallout 3.Enjoy your stay.

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Customer Reviews

Jul 15, 2010 19:00:07

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Double Agent

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Double Agent Review

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Experience the relentless tension and gut-wrenching dilemmas of life as a double agent. Lie. Kill. Sabotage. Betray. All to protect the innocent. How far will you go to gain the enemy's trust? As covert operative Sam Fisher, you must infiltrate a vicious terrorist group and destroy it from within. You'll need to carefully weigh the consequences of your actions. Kill too many terrorists and you'll blow your cover. Hesitate and millions will die. Do whatever it takes to complete your mission, but get out alive.

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Jul 14, 2010 12:35:09

Alan Wake: Limited Edition

Alan Wake: Limited Edition Review

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Following up their popular 'Max Payne' series, Remedy has another hit on their hands in the form of their new IP, Alan Wake.

Alan Wake, a writer in the vein of Stephen King, goes on vacation with his wife Alice to the small town of Bright Falls. Their idyllic trip quickly takes a turn for the worse as Alice is kidnapped and Alan begins finding manuscript pages to a horror story he hasn't written yet. The words on the pages are coming to life before his eyes. What follows is Alan's journey through the darkness in an attempt to save his wife.

The game is styled similarly to a television show, in the sense that it consists of 6 'episodes'. DLC for the game (one of which is included when buying the game new for free) will bridge 'season one' of the game with 'season two', which Remedy already has planned. It has great atmosphere and pacing, and technically speaking the game looks, sounds, and plays wonderfully. Highly reminiscent of Twin Peaks, Stephen King and Lost, I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good thriller with an engaging story and excellent visuals.

The collector's edition packaging is also great, appearing to be an actual bound book. It comes with a soundtrack CD (which is great), a 100-something page book that explores more of the Alan Wake universe, and some video documentaries which are very insightful.

Alan Wake: Limited Edition Feature

• Intense psychological thriller
• Light as a combat element
• Realistic, interactive environment
• Episodic narrative

Bringing a new style of storytelling to Xbox 360, Alan Wake is a psychological action thriller from Remedy, the renowned original developers of the successful Max Payne series.

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Customer Reviews

Epic Story - Damien White -
Alan Wake is one of the best games I have ever played. I liked it so much that I initially purchased the standard edition, played through it to 1000G, and bought the Collector's Edition just for the extras.

My wife also played through the game and loved it just as much as I did (so much that she played it until 1000G as well). The story is simply fantastic. I can not wait for the DLCs to come out and continue the story.

I'm so hoping for Alan Wake, Season 2 :)

Awesome game - Terence N. Campo - New York, NY
This game is everything I had expected it to be and more. The storyline is very gripping and the game play action is amazing. Well worth the money spent.


Jul 13, 2010 08:07:08

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow Review

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I own the first Splinter Cell. While I do believe it is a satisfactory stealth action game, most of your time was spent hiding dead bodies in hope that you will not receive an alarm that will sound immediately after a checkpoint, forcing you to restart the whole level. While this problem may arise in Splinter Cell: PT if you are reckless, it fixes many of the gameplay mechanics that severely hindered the first game.

First things first, the gameplay. While it feels similar to Splinter Cell, PT has refined and even added moves. Sam can now do things he was unable to do in the first game such as SWAT turn over doorways, open doors while carrying bodies, shift weight and jump up with the half-split jump, and much more. However, one thing that desperately needs refinement is the CQC/Non-lethal force system. Sam is limited to one move in CQC, which is elbowing his opponent. However, this only stuns/knocks out the opponent if they are not in Caution or Alert mode. This is a problem as the boring and abysmal "No killing anyone" missions are still in this game. While you can use the Sticky Shocker and Ring Airfoil rounds on enemies, you can't use them while in Sniper mode meaning you have to rely on aiming over the shoulder, which causes many wasted rounds.

Numerous mission types are still in this game that don't need to be. There are the aforementioned "no casualty" missions in which you are forced to hide in the shadows or die immediately. Then there are the even more frustrating "no alarms" missions, which are incredibly boring when you consider the body sweep system.

Let me explain. After you kill someone, you have to hide the body in a low-light area. This is a long and boring process and in a jungle mission, I once dropped a corpse down a gigantic pit into a pool of water. Even though nobody was ever going to look down there, the body was found because the place was too well-lit. How? The game runs a sweep after you leave an area for bodies that are unhidden. Which is retarded, and ruins my experience as I spent more time dragging around corpses than actually sneaking around.

The graphics are stunning. I mean, it's comparable to many modern games and makes me wonder why Wii games look so crappy when it has better graphics technology than the PS2. Shadows realistically show on characters although character models are blocky and disgusting, except Sam I guess. The framerate also takes a dip as I estimate that it runs around 10-20 fps on average. But you gotta make some sacrifices when porting a beautiful game like this to PS2.

The sound is alright, except Sam and his team who are pretty good. The enemies sound generic and sometimes quasi-gay. The music is something I don't hear often so I won't comment on it.

You can sort of replay it, I guess. There are some memorable moments, specifically the train level which makes you feel on the brink of danger, but no real completion bonuses.

Overall PT is a fun game but you gotta deal with some stuff here and there and a barely tolerable framerate. If you can get it on another console, then do, but otherwise it's still a fun PS2 game.

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow Feature

• Incredible real movement and control - you can even shift Sam's Weight when preparing him for a split jump between two walls
• Exciting new moves maximize Sam's lethal fighting skills -- spin out of the shadows and kill silently
• Advanced AI makes it harder than ever to get past enemies - if you reveal yourself they'll get reinforcements and put on armor
• Weapons now have secondary functions that can be equipped on the fly - be amazed at the advantage you get from the red dot of the Laser sight

2006: The U.S. installs a temporary military base on East Timor to train the developing defense force of the "world's youngest democracy." Resistance to the U.S. military presence in Southeast Asia is widespread and passionate, but the threat Indonesian militias pose to Timorese democracy is deemed sufficient justification. Anti-U.S. resentment comes to a head under the leadership of guerrilla militia leader Suhadi Sadono, acting with the unofficial support of major corrupt factions of the Indonesian government. Suhadi's men attack and occupy the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, taking dozens of civilian and military personnel hostage.

Deployed by a top secret wing of the NSA (National Security Agency) known as Third Echelon, Sam Fisher is a lone field operative supported by a remote team. Fisher must defend and assist the U.S. military, both locally and from remote locations, until Suhadi's terror-driven policies can be subverted and the guerrilla faction eradicated. Charged with saving the world, it’s a high stakes game. If he fails, the U.S. will deny any knowledge of his existence.

An experience so compelling you feel it.

• Believe the story. Inspired by the world of Tom Clancy, and endorsed by the famous author, and written by JT Petty, who penned the original Splinter Cell, Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Pandora Tomorrow features a storyline so real you can feel it. Tension filled stealth-action springs from a compelling original storyline so realistic it could have been ripped from the headlines.
• Understand the characters. In this sequel to the original game, favorite characters like Sam Fisher and Irving Lambert return and unveil even more about their personal histories in the more character-driven storyline. New antagonists appear, including Suhadi Sodano an Indonesian guerilla leader whose beliefs are sound, but whose methods are barbaric. And then there is Norman Soth: CIA-trained mercenary deep under cover or traitor working for the enemy? Whose side is he really on?
• Immerse yourself.Revolutionary lighting, shadowing, animation, physics, and sound effects pushed to the limit to create a universe so tightly woven that the line between reality and gaming starts to blur. "High res" cinematics, amazing sound design and music as well as top quality voice over give SCPT as unique movie production quality. Voice actors, music composers and cinematic directors to be announced in the coming months.
• You’ve got the moves. Now more than ever, Sam relies on his moves. In this sequel to the original Splinter Cell, circumstances demand that Sam use his agility and athleticism to avoid detection and death. In fact the level design demands them. Use a half split jump to reach a ledge, zip line across an open courtyard, rappel along the side of a building, SWAT-turn to bypass an open door unseen.
• You’ve got the gear. Based on prototypes currently in development, or gadgets out on the field, Sam Fisher has a menu of high tech gadgets and tools from which to choose.

Revolutionary multiplayer stealth action gameplay online for the first time.

• Take Splinter Cell online. Taking place in a graphically-rich environment we expect from Splinter Cell, the multiplayer gameplay is a natural extension of the Splinter Cell world. Just as in Splinter Cell, players will call on a wide variety of gadgets, weapons and athletic moves to best their opponents. The light and shadow-filled environment offers dark retreats for stealth gamers and wide open spaces that spell danger for spies. The multiplayer game is integrated into the compelling offline story, though both offline and online gameplay can be enjoyed independently of one another.
• Choose a side. Taunt your enemies from the shadows as you meet stealth objectives playing through wide multiplayer maps in third-person view as a Shadow Net Spy. Or track spies using a first-person perspective as a heavy armed Argus Mercenary protecting your compound. The abilities and resources on each side are evenly matched. Winning will come down to skill and strategy.
• Feel the tension. Just as in the original game, online players will feel the tension that comes from never knowing what might happen next. Shadow Net spies hold their breath as mercenaries pass by close enough to touch them. They hide in the dark and wait for the right moment to spring into action. They work in concert—one can distract the mercenaries, while the other(s) meets the objective. Mercenaries never know when a Shadow Net spy might silently drop down from the shadows to attack, or slip by detection efforts to complete a mission. By relying heavily on their detection devices they feel like they can stop the threat—at least for now. Are spies stealing your secrets while they toy with you?
  It’s important to note that the maximum number of players on a multiplayer map is four. Too many people in a map would create chaos and result in shooter gameplay. But this is Splinter Cell. It’s a stealth action game not a shooter. This game tests your stealth and your strategy, your readiness and your resourcefulness. Are you ready?
• Feel the game. The multiplayer maps feature the revolutionary lighting, shadowing, animation, physics, and sound effects that have become the Splinter Cell trademark. Graphical effects push that even further. Electronic interference can disrupt the vision and tools of the mercenaries. Spies must avoid the searching flash lights and laser pointers. Flash bang, shaft and gas grenades are also powerful visual effects that players will have to deal with. Thanks to their advanced goggles, Shadow Nets can see in the dark and read thermo signatures in their environment while mercenaries detect movements and electro-magnetic disturbance in their surroundings…and much more to discover.

All New Features, The new dawn of Stealth Action Single and MUlti player Intense Realism, Cutting Ege Espionage, Choose your Spy side

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Customer Reviews

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow - E. Walthour -
i'm enjoying the game but the graphics are not what i thought that they would be but still i love the game....

Fun game - Ken Carter - Arizona
I played this game through to the end a couple of times. I challenged myself to get through without being seen or killing anybody if possible. It takes patience but that's what makes it fun.


Jul 12, 2010 07:02:09

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell (Mac)

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell (Mac) Review

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What I like most about this game is that it is a tactical shooter. In other words, obscurity is your best weapon, and you only shoot when you have to. In this way it is a strong problem solving game. I found it to be very suspenseful and challenging, even on the normal setting (I like to play through on hard frist). The story line was entertaining, and far more realistic than other tactical shooters that I have seen. I especially liked the realistic touch in areas such as finding med kits and additional ammo. The med kits hang naturally on the wall, and the ammo is in boxes on shelves, and in other places where you would expect to find them. There are no unnatural floating and spinning boxes of bullets, hovering in the corners.
The only real problem I had with the game was that there is usually only one way to get through a situation. In this way it is like a puzzle, which makes it a bit unnatural. I would have liked it more if there were multiple ways to achieve an objective.
As far as the rating goes, the violence obviously comes from the fighting you will encounter. While there are several non-lethal ways to neautralize opponents (shocking them, knocking them unconscious, etc.) there are times when you are forced into a gun fight. In these gun fights there is very little blood and gore. Even when grenades are set off, there is not gushing arteries and dismemberment that is so common in many shooter games. While this is less realistic, I greatly appreciate the restraint.
The bad language is usually said by the bad guys when they find you have snuck past their security, or your handler when you uncover startling information. There is usually a little language on each mission, but the characters are not swearing with every other word. I am rather sensitive about swearing, and it did not bother me too much.

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell (Mac) Feature

• Covert stealth-action featuring a compelling original storyline and characters inspired by the world of Tom Clancy
• Highly detailed graphic environments
• Comprehensive stealth techniques including sniping, split jumping, zip lining, rappelling, and using human shields bring gameplay possibilities to a new level
• Experimental intelligence gadgets (night/thermal vision goggles, prototype weapons and surveillance gear, etc.) give
• For 1 player

Item number 2327-45, Grading is cover/record: M- using Goldmine standards. prst,xol Please see seller profile for abbreviation descriptions.

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Customer Reviews

Splinter Cell Mac cheats - Janus Jauch - Copenhagen
Splinter Cell cheats for mac
Same as on PC:

CHEATS

Press F2 to display the console window, then type one of the following codes and press Enter to activate the corresponding cheat function.

Codes

Enable God mode - invincible 1

Disable God mode - invincible 0

Full health - health

Invisibility - invisible 1

Disable invisibility - invisible 0

Full ammunition - ammo

Flight mode - fly

No clipping mode - ghost

Disable flight and no clipping modes - walk

Fun on a MacMini. - Retsu Takahashi - Brooklyn, NY United States
I'm always looking for games that'll run on my 1st generation MacMini. This does a good job of building a suspenseful environment. While it hasn't been easy by any stretch of the imagination, it doesn't take detailed note-taking either. The in-game tools automatically track uncovered information and missions, so the player doesn't have to remember what was learned from interrogating a "bad guy" or what the code was to a keypad lock. I've only had time to spend several hours on it over the course of about a month, but am enjoying it. I've even found my heart rate going up at times despite myself.


Jul 11, 2010 05:08:56

Bioshock 2

Bioshock 2 Review

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I did not buy this game on the day of its release, as so many people were complaining Bioshock series lost its magic in Bioshock 2. The Rapture city doesn't feel as novel anymore. But now that I have played through with it TWICE, I have to say these folks were dead wrong. Yes, the city, some of the villians and gameplay are similar, but that is why this game is labeled Bioshock 2 and not a new IP. Either way below are the pros and cons for the Bioshock2

PROS:

-CHOICES, CHOICES, CHOICES: One of the aspects, gamers loved about the original is how you have to make choices in terms of litter sister throughout the game and how it affects the ending. In this one, they have taken a step further and improved this choice system. Not only for little sisters, but also for some other things you will have to make choices. This choices will affect the story (dialogues, cut scenes and ending) to a great degree and add decent replayability to the single player mode.

-MYSTERIOUS STORY: The story is suspenseful. It is not as good as the first one, but is still pretty good and will really drive you forward in the game. If you played Bioshock 1, it is certainly a plus; however, certainly not a requirement. Even if you did not play the original, you will be able to understand most of it.

-AMAZING UNDERWATER VISUAL ANG GRAPHICS: The city looks as stunning if not better as Bioshock 1. Better yet in this one you get to play UNDERWATER. While it may not sound as thrilling it truly adds great deal of feeling to the gameplay experience.

-PLAYING AS BIG DADDY: Initially you will be somewhat confused, but this gets to be real fun. You can still use plasmids as in the original, but you get access to heavy duty weapons as you are playing as big daddy. I won't spoil much for you but YOU WILL LOVE THE SPEAR GUN :)

-NEW WEAPONS, PLASMIDS and TONICS: In this game, you get access to all the cool plasmids from the original, but you also get to use some new mysterious plasmids and tonics. Expecially, if you decide to go for good ending, you will get some really cool plasmids. As for weapons, you will just love the big guns. Trust me on it.

-NEW ENEMIES and BOSSES: I don't want to spoil it so I will just say big sisters will make you wet your pants.

-FOUR ALTERNATE ENDINGS: Again refer to choices section

-EPIC MULTIPLAYER: This game offers a very unique multiplayer. It was a wonderful break from games like Modern Warfare 2. The modes such as capture the little sisters can be fun. Just wait till you play as a Big Daddy. The power you get will truly be intoxicating. Oh did I mention you can use very different plasmids than single player in multiplayer mode.

My only complain for this one was instead of focusing on multiplayer, they should have just focused on single player and made it longer. Don't get me wrong , it will still take you a while to go through it (8-12hrs depending on how much you decide to collect).

In summary, to me, Bioshock 2 lived up to the standards. It was enjoyable and has great replay value.

Bioshock 2 Feature

• Online and offline multiplayer modes including: Free-For-All, and Team Death Match and more.
• Return to the underwater city of Rapture where now the 'The Big Sister' is the toughest creature around.
• Play as the original the Big Daddy as you harness raw strength to battle Rapture?s most feared denizens as you battle powerful new enemies.
• New game mechanics including the ability to wield plasmids and weapons simultaneously; flashback missions detailing how you became the Big Daddy; the ability to walk outside the airlocks of Rapture to discover new play areas, and many more.
• New game environments including Fontaine Futuristics, headquarters of Fontaine's business empire and the Kashmir Restaurant.

Follow-up to BioShock, 2K Games' critically acclaimed and commercially successful 2007 release, BioShock 2 is a first-person shooter set in the fictional underwater city of Rapture. As in the original game, BioShock 2 features a blend of fast-paced action, exploration and puzzle-solving as players follow varying paths through the overarching storyline based on the decisions that they are forced to make at various points in the game. In addition to a further fleshing out of the franchise's popular storyline, players can look forward to new characters, game mechanics, weapons, locations and a series first, multiplayer game options. The new power in Rapture. View larger. Duel wield plasmids & weapons. View larger. New choices as Mr. B. View larger. Franchise first multiplayer options. View larger. The Story Set approximately 10 years after the events of the original BioShock, the halls of Rapture once again echo with sins of the past. Along the Atlantic coastline, a monster — somehow familiar, yet still quite different from anything ever seen — has been snatching little girls and bringing them back to the undersea city. It is a Big Sister, new denizens of Rapture who were once one of the forgotten little girls known as Little Sisters, known to inhabit the city's dank halls. No longer a pawn used to harvest ADAM, the dangerously powerful gene-altering lifeblood of Rapture, from the bodies of others and in turn run the risk of being harvested herself, the Big Sister is now the fastest and most powerful thing in Rapture. You, on the other hand are the very first Big Daddy, in fact the prototype, that for some reason has reactivated. You are similar to the Big Daddies familiar from the original BioShock, but also very different in that you possess free will and no memory of the events of the past ten years. The question is, as you travel through the decrepit and beautiful fallen city beneath the waves, hunting for answers and the solution to your own survival, are you really the hunter, or the hunted? Gameplay and Multiplayer In BioShock 2 players will take on the role of the original Big Daddy, not that of game one protagonist, Jack. As a Big Daddy you will have access to all the strengths and weapons of a standard Big Daddy, including the drill and rivet gun. More importantly you also possess free will and the ability to use plasmids and gene tonics — genetic modifications allowed for through ADAM, a stem cell harvested from conquered enemies, or sea slugs outside the Rapture air lock, and powered by the in-game injectable serum known as EVE, which can be found, captured or purchased. Plasmids and gene tonics provide a wide range of aggressive and passive abilities which can be upgraded and arranged for quick use. The ability to use plasmids and tonics gives you a decided edge over other Big Daddies and most other denizens of Rapture, excluding the powerful Big Sisters. In addition, due to their role as a Big Daddy, players will experience a new relation to the Little Sisters. Upon defeating standard Big Daddys you are given the familiar choice as to whether to harvest or adopt them. Harvesting gains you ADAM immediately, but could alter your path through the game, while adopting makes you responsible for Little Sisters, who then accompany you through Rapture, but also provide aid and warning in times of danger. Additional gameplay features include: new plasmids, weapons and the ability to combine these two. The game also features the anticipated multiplayer modes. Several of these are team-based, allowing up to 10 players. Within these players are provided with a rich prequel experience that expands the origins of the BioShock fiction, and allows you to play as one of several characters pulled from Rapture's history before the events of the first game. Key Features The Big Sister - No longer just something to be harvested or not, the Big Sister is the most powerful resident in Rapture. You Are the Big Daddy - Take control with the original prototype Big Daddy, and experience the power and raw strength of Rapture’s most feared denizens as you battle powerful new enemies. New Plasmids - New plasmids such as "Aero Dash" allowing for bursts of speed over short distances, and "Geyser Trap" a stream of water used as a jump pad and electrical conductor, join the ample list of Plasmids from the original game. New Game Mechanics - BioShock 2 contains many new gameplay mechanics. Just a few of these are: the ability to wield plasmids and weapons simultaneously; flashback missions detailing how you became the Big Daddy; the ability to walk outside the airlocks of Rapture to discover new play areas, and many more. New Locations - Just a few of the locations and environments debuting in BioShock 2 are Fontaine Futuristics, headquarters of Fontaine's business empire and the Kashmir Restaurant. Evolution of the Genetically Enhanced Shooter - Innovative advances bring new depth and dimension to each encounter, allowing players to create exciting combinations to fit their style of gameplay. Return to Rapture - Set approximately 10 years after the events of the original BioShock, the story continues with an epic, more intense journey through one of the most captivating and terrifying fictional worlds ever created. Genetically Enhanced Multiplayer - Earn experience points during gameplay to earn access to new weapons, plasmids and tonics that can be used to create hundreds of different combinations. Experience Rapture’s Civil War - Players will step into the shoes of Rapture's citizens and take direct part in the civil war that tore Rapture apart. See Rapture Before the Fall - Experience Rapture before it was reclaimed by the ocean and engage in combat over iconic environments in locations such as Kashmir Restaurant and Mercury Suites, all of which have been reworked from the ground up for multiplayer.

BioShock 2 X360

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Customer Reviews

Lacking the 'wow' moments that the first game provided - Sibelius - Palo Alto, CA USA
If you were a fan of Ken Levine's original 'Bioshock,' this sequel will feel intimately familiar from the first moments of action up through the end credits. For the most part this is a good thing and after being away from the world of Rapture the past 2 years, a great sense of nostalgia filled my spirits as I explored and plundered the neon-lit gloom of this underwater, art-deco, utopia. The gameplay itself remains true to the spirit of the original with skill and equipment customizations for various abilities and weaponry, but this time around the action factor seems cranked up a few notches with high intensity combat comprising 85% of your playtime. What left me ultimately disappointed at the end of it all was the lack of any 'wow' moments that the first game doled out in spades and this is attributed to the fact that this sequel remains so firmly rooted to the original that it seems almost puzzling why more deviation from gameplay and setting weren't utilized.

This game is actually deserving of 4-stars but I had to dock it 1 star for 2 bugs that prevented me from progressing and forcing me to utilize earlier save files (save often, kids!), wasting several hours in the process.

If you enjoyed Bioshock, You'll enjoy Bioshock 2. - hipnotik -
Great game. I would give it a 9/10. The only real thing lacking is the story isn't quite as memorable as the original Bioshock and if you played the first it's not overwhelmingly different (but that is a good thing in my opinion)

If you've never played the first Bioshock, go buy that and try it since it's a great game. If you don't like Bioshock you're probably not gonna like Bioshock 2.


Jul 09, 2010 19:32:04