Splinter Cell Double Agent Impessions
We check out the new Splinter Cell to bring you these first hand impressions. Easy cell or sphincter smell?
Page: 1 2
Page 2
Basically, Sam's mission is under N.O.C - non-official cover, like how Jack Bauer stormed the Chinese embassy in 24 series 4. Eventually, he has to falsely work for the JBA while gathering data in their HQ between missions. If he gets caught, he's screwed. Luckily, he has some new tricks up his sleeve to help him:
Arrest mode: This works one of two ways. You get arrested and react, or you arrest and issue orders. You can force someone at gunpoint to call off guards on a radio, or if they have you at gunpoint, a button prompt mini-game will pop up so you can turn the situation to your advantage.
New co-op moves: Techniques like wall walking with backs pressed together, or simply climbing up a wall and pulling your friend up.
Moral choice: Should he kill his girlfriend and save a million lives, or keep her alive for his own selfish love agenda? The choice you make impacts your progress and will grant you one of a multiple number gameplay paths, objectives and endings.
With regards to the dev team and the differing versions, the core development team is based in Montreal, working on the PS2, XBOX, PSP and GameCube versions, with the Shanghai team fully in charge of the Xbox 360 version. The France studio is handling all online modes, as they did previously. The versions differ as follows:
On PS2, you'll get extra levels, co-op online, and split screen co-op. Aside from two exclusive solo missions, the PS2 version will have splitscreen co-op gameplay and online co-op to boot, as well as an exclusive multiplayer game mode. On top of this, 'geo-mapping' technology is introduced, allowing for a normal-map style effect on PS2.
Xbox will boast extra online options, co-op online, but no split screen co-op. Same as PS2, except you have extra online options, including a 3 vs 3 mode, and co-operative gameplay is presently confirmed to only be the version's only online only.
Xbox 360 will be exactly the same story and plotline, but with almost entirely different level designs from the current-gen versions, and with a unique set of 360-only online battle modes that are currently top secret. Because of the 360's extra horsepower, weather FX in the game will be used as an extra tactical layer in the level design.
GameCube, meanwhile, will be the same as the PS2 and Xbox version without any of the extras. Can you say 'ginger stepchild'?
Another new addition is the 'Spy Vs Spy' multiplayer mode, which is simply a bunch of Sam Fisher types all against each other. Spy Versus Mercenaries is still in there, just in case you were worried.
Also, the co-op mode offers all the levels where you had a co-op AI buddy, to be played, but none of the others for obvious logistical reasons. More co-op techniques have been added now, such as a 'back to back' wall climb move which allows you to wall walk with a team mate, dependent on the width of a hallway.
As for voice talents, all the originals remain, with Michael Ironside (the lieutenant in Starship Troopers) voicing Sam and Dennis Haybert (President Palmer in 24) as your boss. Which brings us onto out next topic...
Splinter Celluloid
I just had to ask about the Splinter Cell film. After a recent report on Dark Horizons involving an admission from Raymond Bensen, author of the Splinter Cell books that, "as far as he knows, the upcoming film will share only one common element with the games and books - lead character Sam Fisher", we had to find out what was up.
All Ubi could tell us, was that Dreamworks is currently handling it after Paramount initially explored the franchise with the original Splinter Cell writer. That's all they'd say.
Mark Wahlberg - Marky Mark of New Kids on the Block and the guy who dies at the beginning of Sixth Sense, David Boreanaz - the dude who plays Angel, Thomas Jane - The Punisher, and Chris Showerman - who knows, have all been linked to the main role, which currently has no announced director, though was originally planned to release this year.
On the plus side, Latino review did give the script 4 out of 5, as they did with the Halo script. I guess for now, we're as in the dark as you are.
Daniel Boutros
Contributor, Kikizo.com
Page: 1 2
Video Coverage (Latest Videos & Video FAQ) | |||
PLEASE DO NOT DIRECT LINK TO ANY MEDIA FILE ON KIKIZO | |||
Description | Dur. | Size | Details |
Splinter Cell: Double Agent Official trailer 3 (good quality) |
1.34m | 20.1MB | SD, 30, DF 640x360 1.4Mbps |
Splinter Cell: Double Agent Official trailer (hi quality) |
1.05m | 13MB | HD, 30, DF 640x480 1.2Mbps |
Splinter Cell: Double Agent Teaser trailer (hi quality) |
0.54m | 21MB | HD, 60, CAM 800x448 3.5Mbps |
Splinter Cell: Double Agent Teaser trailer (normal quality) |
0.54m | 11MB | SD, 30, CAM 640x360 1.5Mbps |
Satoru Iwata Video Interview - the late Nintendo president spoke with Kikizo in 2004 as 'Nintendo Revolution' loomed.
Kaz Hirai Video Interview - the first of Kikizo's interviews with the man who went on to become global head of Sony.
Ed Fries Video Interview - one of Xbox's founders discusses an epic journey from Excel to Xbox.
Yu Suzuki, the Kikizo Interview - we spend time with one of gaming's most revered creators.
Tetris - The Making of an Icon: Alexey Pajitnov and Henk Rogers reveal the fascinating story behind Tetris
Rare founders, Chris and Tim Stamper - their only interview? Genuinely 'rare' sit down with founders of the legendary studio.
The History of First-Person Shooters - a retrospective, from Maze War to Modern Warfare