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[CrunchinJelly]

EDGE 6/10

http://www.edge-online.com/review/splinter-cell-blacklist-review/

Splinter Cell used to be built like a Clancy novel; now it’s an action movie. Where a novel can find drama in the smallest moments – a man hiding while a lone guard probes the darkness with a flashlight – modern action flicks are obsessed with spectacle and constant one-upmanship. And so Blacklist has explosions and chases and extended platforming sequences and sniper missions and firstperson missions and missions against the clock and missions upon missions where being undetected feels like an exploit rather than a victory.

Kotaku 'NOT YET'

http://kotaku.com/splinter-cell-blacklist-the-kotaku-review-1126859452

It's fitting that a cumulative collection like Blacklist comes at the end of this console generation. "This is it," the game seems to say, "this is the current state of Splinter Cell." The question of where we might be going remains unanswered. Maybe someday, someone will be able to craft a Splinter Cell game that finally steps outside the often enjoyable but increasingly tired rut in which the series finds itself. Until then we have Blacklist, tying up loose ends before finally—hopefully—moving on.

IGN 9.2/10

http://uk.ign.com/articles/2013/08/14/splinter-cell-blacklist-review

Splinter Cell: Blacklist is a sweet middle ground between the Panther-like action of Conviction and the Ghost-like stealth of Chaos Theory. The delightful improbable success of this compromise is a testament to game design that always has choice in mind. It’s well worth replaying the campaign with an alternate playstyle, a different set of preferred gadgets, and/or on Perfectionist mode. And, like the series’ Chaos Theory series peak it can’t help but be compared to, Blacklist’s also packing a pair of multiplayer modes that could stand proudly on their own. Splinter Cell is back on the right shadowy track.

Eurogamer 8/10

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-08-14-splinter-cell-blacklist-review

Spies vs Mercs saves Blacklist from the ignominy of being merely good. Like Hitman Absolution last year, the campaign feels like a fun game bogged down by its desire to look like a stylish action thriller; it's cavalier with its politics and your time, and on occasions you'll wonder why you bothered to negotiate with these terrorists. But when the game clicks, which it does often enough across its many modes and missions, it overcomes the inadequacy of its storytelling and reminds you why Splinter Cell was so appealing in the first place.

OXM UK 8/10

http://www.oxm.co.uk/60349/reviews/splinter-cell-blacklist-xbox-360-review/

Blacklist lacks the sheer, improvisational panache of a younger rival like Arkham City or even Klei's Mark of the Ninja - the Clancy fiction is a poor imaginative resource, and the need to satisfy several audiences does, at times, trip the game up (there are some shonky "interactive storytelling" sequences, for instance). As an exercise in carrying triple-A bloat gracefully, however, it's among Ubisoft's finest efforts. Fisher might look like the world's grumpiest, most grizzled ninja, but he's proving quite the crowd-pleaser.

Polygon 8.5

http://www.polygon.com/game/tom-clancy-s-splinter-cell-blacklist/6666

Behind the new coat of paint and a new Sam Fisher, Blacklist represents a return to form for the series. It doesn’t revolutionize Splinter Cell, but it manages a sharp trifecta of achievements — it’s open to new players, accessible to players from the series' major departure installment and a welcome invitation back to series regulars who missed the stealth focus that peaked with Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory. Blacklist refines what came before and makes for a great new beginning for the series.

OPM UK 8/10

http://www.officialplaystationmagaz...lished-prowling-from-the-old-man-and-the-cia/

Splinter Cell’s return to PS3 builds upon a legacy of slick mechanics and crafts an empowering experience whether you choose to pull it in the direction of stealth or action. If you can bear its unironic plot, which gives you the same feeling as watching Fox News, it’s more than worthy of your to-do list.
Sam’s learned new tricks, gained an almighty toybox and feels righteously superhuman to control, but spreads himself thin in an effort to impress.

Jostiq 5/5

http://www.joystiq.com/2013/08/14/splinter-cell-blacklist-review/

Patiently waiting in a room for a guard to move may sound like the opposite of an exhilarating experience, but it's the tension of planning coupled with execution that makes Splinter Cell Blacklist such a winner. Blacklist's multiple methods of enemy engagement brings Ubisoft's grizzled veteran spy to an outstanding new frontier, giving players the best game in the franchise's history.

GameInformer 9/10

http://www.gameinformer.com/games/s...4/ubisoft-splinter-cell-blacklist-review.aspx

Splinter Cell: Blacklist is a beefy game, and its well worth your time to explore all it offers. While a lot of stealth titles reward you for memorizing enemy patrols and choosing your movement carefully, Splinter Cell gives you the flexibly to be the kind of think-on-his-feet spy that Jason Bourne would idolize.

Gamespot 8.0/10

http://uk.gamespot.com/tom-clancys-...ancys-splinter-cell-blacklist-review-6412806/

There's no doubting Splinter Cell: Blacklist's excellent production values. It's a great-looking, great-sounding game that sizzles with the high-tech ambience and language that characterize a typical Tom Clancy product. Sam's solo trek is a very good expression of Blacklist's various gameplay systems. But it's with--and against--others that the game hacks into your pleasure centers, so while Sam Fisher may not be the man you remember, Splinter Cell: Blacklist has too many sweet adventures in store for you to miss them.

REV3GAMES 4/5 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2DyCDMozfU
TSA 8/10 - http://www.thesixthaxis.com/2013/08/14/splinter-cell-blacklist-review/
Venture Beat 84/100 - http://venturebeat.com/2013/08/14/s...-hunting-down-terrorists-is-stressful-review/
GameTrailers 8.7/10- http://www.gametrailers.com/reviews/e06eub/splinter-cell--blacklist-review
Jeuxvideomagazine (FR) 17/20 - http://www.jeuxvideomagazine.com/test-jeux/test-test-splinter-cell-blacklist-a1066574
Gamereactor UK 9/10 - http://www.gamereactor.eu/reviews/87164/Splinter+Cell:+Blacklist/

 

[DevelopmentArrested]

Wow edge

 

[shinobi602]

Lol Edge.

 

[NaughtyPrawn]

Wow quite contrasting scores between edge and ign.

 

[zewone]

Is the Edge review worth paying attention to?

I'm not familiar with their track record.

 

[Spring-Loaded]

Dat edge.

 

[SJRB]

lol IGN.

 

[Backflip]

Jeux Vidéo Magazine: http://www.jeuxvideomagazine.com/test-jeux/test-test-splinter-cell-blacklist-a1066574

 

[Courage]

Is the Edge review worth paying attention to?

I'm not familiar with their track record.

Yes.

 

[Lunzio]

Something about this game just doesn't intrigue me. Hope other people can find interest in it!

 

[Cyberia]

Gamereactor UK 9: http://www.gamereactor.eu/reviews/87164/Splinter+Cell:+Blacklist/

 

[afoni]

edge has spoken

we can go home

 

[KINGofCRA5H]

I used to like Splinter Cell, you know.

 

[Courage]

Joystiq throwing out 5s like candy.

 

[Quentyn]

Game Informer - 9.0

 

[velociraptor]

Damning review by Edge but I must admit I am surprised - impressions seem to be quite favourable.

 

[The_Hitcher89]

Is the Edge review worth paying attention to?

I'm not familiar with their track record.

Judging from the prerelease material, Edge's review seems more in line with what I'd expect than the others

 

[giancarlo123x]

I wish they sold spies vs mercs separately since I have no desire to play the single player.

 

[AppleSmack]

Edge review reads like the guy hated the game before he even played it.

 

[Bloodworth]

Here's mine. http://www.gametrailers.com/reviews/e06eub/splinter-cell--blacklist-review

 

[strafer]

From EDGE:

Where Chaos Theory had you sneak through darkened spaces populated by two or three thugs, Blacklist has you sneaking in broad daylight past six, seven, or – in Kobin’s terrorist hunts – up to 20 heavily armed soldiers.

 

[suaveric]

I'd like to know how the Wii U version turned out.

 

[Toa TAK]

Edge confirmed my fears.

 

[antitrop]

Edge took the bait.

 

[DrZeus]

Looking good.

 

[Triggerhappytel]

Wow quite contrasting scores between edge and ign.

I know. It's almost like one of them is typically open to bribery.

Is the Edge review worth paying attention to?

I'm not familiar with their track record.

I like Edge. I do take issue with some of their scores and they're definitely at the harsh end of the spectrum, but I also think long-term they're a lot more accurate than most. I usually follow Edge and Gamecentral for a more cynical view that tends to align with my own opinion.

 

[dark_prinny]

Edge: This is not your next videogame.

 

[styl3s]

So it's basically like the last game only with more action? I'm ok with this. I am not a huge stealth fan and loved Conviction so if i am getting more of the same only with more ridiculous action i am totally ok with this.

Day 1.

 

[Squire]

Edge review reads like the guy hated the game before he even played it.

He probably did.

 

[Nirolak]

I'd like to know how the Wii U version turned out.

Platform comparison:

Any character not named Sam Fisher is rather ugly, with very little facial detail and awful hair. That just can’t be ignored in the plentiful pre- and post-mission cutscenes, most of which suffer from rampant distracting screen tearing in the 360 and PS3 versions and framerate stuttering on the Wii U (Speaking of the Wii U, you're able to quick-select gadgets and weapons on the GamePad. It's quicker than the "hold the D-pad" method required on the 360 and PS3). Out on missions the environments look adequate, but Blacklist fails to impress, let alone dazzle.

 

[keit4]

Oh, looks like Edge is relevant again in NeoGAF.

 

[Kifimbo]

Edge review reads like the guy hated the game before he even played it.

Not exactly. Instead of reviewing the game for what is it, he reviewed it for what he wish it was.

 

[neorej]

From EDGE:

That's what I feared.

 

[Wanny]

Edge. No buy.

 

[Mileena]

Platform comparison:

So basically all console versions suck, wait for a Steam sale? Got it

 

[Dibbz]

...and missions upon missions where being undetected feels like an exploit rather than a victory.

Nailed it.

 

[rockman zx]

Typical EDGE, they want to be cool.

 

[bronzeP]

IGN 11/10

"it was okay"


edit: Edge is so edgy lol

 

[-COOLIO-]

lol IGN.

Lol Edge.

differing opinions!

 

[Nirolak]

Well, Spies vs. Mercs seems to be getting universal praise, so I'm interested at least for that.

 

[Dysun]

Pretty good reviews in general (except the guys who like to stand out), kind of surprised.

 

[ViewtifulJC]

I forget, how much credence are we suppose to give Edge? Only when they validate my preconceived opinions of the game, yes?

 

[antitrop]

Here's mine. http://www.gametrailers.com/reviews/e06eub/splinter-cell--blacklist-review

Good review, but the score seems a bit high based on the content presented.

 

[watership]

Wait. Do we hate edge or love them this week?

 

[PapaJustify]

Kotaku is on the EDGE

 

[rmanthorp]

Edge is the most fucking pretentious outlet alive. I never listen to their shit - I actually cringe reading issues of their shitey magazine.

Oh but good for Blacklist. I never expected this to be any good. Woo!

 

[RyanDG]

Well, Spies vs. Mercs seems to be getting universal praise, so I'm interested at least for that.

That's the only reason why I'm interested in this game as well. I've sort of come to terms with the fact that the Splinter Cell and Chaos Theory version of the franchise no longer exists.

 

[keit4]

BTW, what a great month: Saints Row IV, Splinter Cell Blacklist, XCOM: The Bureau... best august in years?

 

[guek]

Platform comparison:

Screen tearing on PS360 always seems to translate to frame drops on the wii u. My preference for one over the other depends on how low those fps dips are.

 

[Vire]

Genuinely surprised at how high these are.

Pleasant surprise? Cool beans.