Splinter Cell: Conviction Review

Alright, so let it be known at the start of this that I am in love with this game. Despite how much I like the game though I will try to be as unbiased as possible. Also having played the game as thoroughly as I have all the positives and negatives have really become obvious. 

Campaign: While some say the story is lacking in this game I say shut up. I really don't see what more you need, do you expect aliens to come down and be a part of this game as a twist? Seriously what more do you want. In a nutshell the game's story is basically about Sam Fisher, a retired Splinter Cell, is in Malta when he recieves a call from the former voice in his Anna Grimsdottir. She informs him that he is in danger and should kill some hired thugs before they kill him. After interrogating the leader, Sam proceds to find Andre Kobin on the thought that he was responsible for his daughter's death. After interrogating Kobin Sam is captured by Third Echelon agents and brought to Price Airfield to be interrogated and then killed. "Grim" kills Sam's interogator and talks to him. It is at this point in which Grim reveals the secret that sam's doughter is infact alive and the only way for him to see her again is for him to do as she says. Fueled by the desire to reconect with his long lost daughter, Sam is sent into a storm of conspiracy.

   To me that sounds just fine for a story, if anyone sees a flaw that I don't please leave me a message.

Co-op Campaign: The words that I would use to descibe this experience is "short and sweet." While I'm sure lots of you have bitched about the fact that there are only four levels in the co-op campaign, I really don't have much of a problem with it. While it would be nice were the prologue longer it is understandable. The prologue gave a nice intoduction to the campaign and set up some of the deniable ops missions nicely. What I mean by this is that the objectives that you encounter on occasion in the prologue is essentially and introduction to the other game types. The other aspect I liked was the fact that although not mandatory it is obvious that communication would be very adventagous in some scenarios. An example would be counting down from three to simultaniously kill twoo enemies side by side.

Deniable Ops: Without this I wouldn't much like the game. Don't get me wrong it would still be a nice snack but nothing worth even considering buying. What deniable ops brings to the table are four different game modes, Hunter, Infiltration, Last Stand, and Face Off, all of which playable on six maps excluding DLC. (Four of which are copies of the Co-op Campaign's entire level)

   Hunter: Begin the mission with ten enemies in your zone ( Five Zones in total ) and eliminate them all without being detected then move on to the next one. Getting detected allows the enemy to call in reinforcements. Should you be detected ten more enemies will join the battle. ( Reinforcements can only come once per Zone.)

   Infiltration: In nearly all respects infiltration is a clone of hunter except for a few differences. The most promenant of which being that if detected you will have to restart the Zone. You may also notice more of a need for sonar as there are lazers and cameras seemingly everywhere. It should also be noted that the one major flaw I have with this game is noticable I guess in other game types but mostly so here. If you shoot and kill an enemy using body shots he will know where you are making your last known possition visible. *This doesn't always happen. Although dead and not having the time to alert his friends it for some reason still makes the last known possition appear. Now an enemy that notices the body will walk over to investigate, most likely noticing your last known position, even if you are nowhere near, and promplty shoot at it, causing the game to register you as detected. It's fucking bullcrap. *This gametype is only available for purchase using forty uPlay pojnts.

   Last Stand: In this gametype you ( Friend recomended ) have to defend an EMP against 20 waves of enemies. ( Wave 1-5: 15 enemies. Wave 6-10: 20 enemies, ect.) The way you win a wave is by killing everyone, and being detected means nothing. One problem I had with this game type is that the last waves of enemies can be very taxing on gadgets, and with no obvious refill point at the start of every new wave I found myself commiting suicide just to respawn with full everything. I should not have to do this. But that is just a mildly tedious thing.

   Face Off: This is essentially you versus one of your friends with or without neutral AI. ( player kill: +5, enemy kill: +1, you die: -3) The way you win is by getting as many points as possible in the aloted time in a game of best two out of three. The third round is still played anyway even if there is no chance for victory by one player.

Final thoughts: Other than that one glaring flaw that I mentioned in infiltration, I really can't find a con for this game other than the length. In my opinion most people should rent this for a week because in that time you will be able to beat the campaign easily and will have had more than enough time to play deniable ops. On the other hand though if you are like me and have a serious OCD complex when it comes to gaming, buy it. With PEC Challenges and all the gametypes to fully complete on realistic, there is more than enough content to satisfy a completionist, and for thirty bucks, why not? ( I live in Canada, your price may be different. )

Pros: Good gameplay, good story, overall fun

Cons: Length, and lack of multiplayer over one person somewhat eliminating replayability. (Most people keep playing COD not because of the single player but the multiplayer.) Unbalanced weapons. It is obvious what is the absolute unrivaled pistol ( Five - Seven ) and the best alternate weapon. ( Suppressed MP5 )

Final score : 9.2 ( Lots of good gameplay and few flaws )

Casual : Pass / maybe rent

Normal : Rent

Hardcore: Rent

Completionist: Rent/buy

Rated M : Blood, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language