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[Blimblim]

Just got my review (but also retail) copy. I hate stealth games, but I have to say I want to keep playing this one just to see some more awesome lighting effects. I'm really impressed!
I'll play a coop session on xbox live tonight, I'll post my impressions if anybody is interested.

 

[Prine]

Hows the story so far Blim? One thing i hate about the series is that the story is totally forgetable. Ubi really need to work on their presentation skills, id love an MGS type story with Splintercell gameplay.

Anyway, How is it?

 

[border]

The new game is supposed to be more open-ended, and more forgiving to people who don't like sitting around waiting to ambush enemies. I can kind of see what they were going for with the knife, though after Metal Gear's CQC it feels a bit limited just having one take-down option. Fisher is still so weak that you really can't charge in and knife somebody (if they've already seen you), but I guess it is a good option if you screw up when you are real close to someone.

From the demo it seems like the game still heavily favors tedious stealth. I couldn't get the shotgun working, so I'm not sure if that will even the odds a bit.

:lol :lol

Best graphics on "any platform" is a pretty awful claim....is it IGN's or is that what Ubisoft is trying to say? I doubt that you could even call it the best graphics on Xbox. Seems like the old game with some half-assed normal mapping and ragdolls. Plus the framerate dips so much (at least in the demo).

 

[Blimblim]

Hows the story so far Blim? One thing i hate about the series is that the story is totally forgetable. Ubi really need to work on their presentation skills, id love an MGS type story with Splintercell gameplay.

Anyway, How is it?

I'm only at level 2, but the story so far seems rather generic, as expected. They want something believable, so we won't ever get something as crazy as MGS2

 

[Prine]

I'm only at level 2, but the story so far seems rather generic, as expected. They want something believable, so we won't ever get something as crazy as MGS2

:_:

So no dramatic camera angles and over the top action? Just generic "listen to the guards" type narative? Fucking UbiSoft.

 

[TeTr1C]

I'm not buying another fucking Splinter Cell. The original and PT are enough, knowing that this series will never change.

"Fisher, you attacked lethally, the mission is over."

*fades to white/golden screen*

*caption at the bottom of the screen*
"Are you crazy?"

No, I just want to kill people because it's a fucking game. That was the part I disliked the most, and the objectives they had you do. Just like all Tom Clancy games, difuse this, rescue that, sneak past this, don't get caught.

Trying to have fun with PT, I got really far and I had fun with it. Then I got a new Xbox, got rid of the old one before I got the new one, and I wasn't able to save over 2000 blocks on my 500 block memory card.

Haven't started over since.

 

[Blimblim]

So far I've killed everyone I've run into, except for the guy who was sleeping in the lighthouse level. He's in for a nasty surprise when he wakes up!
I like pushing people out of the boat, very fun

 

[Doom_Bringer]

So far I've killed everyone I've run into, except for the guy who was sleeping in the lighthouse level. He's in for a nasty surprise when he wakes up!
I like pushing people out of the boat, very fun

:lol

btw: can you tell what kinda surpise you have in store for him? I just knifed him in the demo.

 

[Blimblim]

:lol

btw: can you tell what kinda surpise you have in store for him? I just knifed him in the demo.

I've piled 4 bodies around his bed. I really should have saved at that time and made a screenshot. It would have made a great OMGWTF picture
Maybe I'll do it again and this time bring all the bodies I can. But first I want to see more levels.

 

[Dr_Cogent]

So did you ever play co-op Blimblim?

Any good if so?

 

[Blimblim]

So did you ever play co-op Blimblim?

Any good if so?

I'll play tonight (I'm in France).

 

[psycho_snake]

I cant wait for it. Its going to rock so much. Obviously, this wont come close to touching the greatness of MGS3, but no other game can

 

[Mrbob]

I still think this is a game you need to split up review scores and text: One for single player and one for multiplayer. Pandora Tommorrow got insanely high scores too but that was for the multiplayer mode. Single player mode was horrible.

 

[Dr_Cogent]

I still think this is a game you need to split up review scores and text: One for single player and one for multiplayer. Pandora Tommorrow got insanely high scores too but that was for the multiplayer mode. Single player mode was horrible.

I liked single player. I didn't like MP, but that wasn't the games fault. That was caused by idiots on Xbox Live.

 

[Kuroyume]

Some of us think the single player is incredible. Sometimes the games can get frustrating but it's like every difficult game where once you achieve a task it really feels good.

 

[Nervous Hamster]

I'm only at level 2, but the story so far seems rather generic, as expected. They want something believable, so we won't ever get something as crazy as MGS2

There are two types of games. The first type is games as toys (play things)--the Nintendo way of thinking. The second type is games in which you assume the role of a character who is not you and experience the life of that character virtually. When trying to assume the role of a character, you need a setting. It does not necessarily have to be a storyline. You need a minimum setting to become that character.

However, being given a simple "container" (i.e. the role) is not enough to share the life of that character. Even if you are assigned the container of a police officer, if you are given 100 percent freedom, you are no longer a cop. In order to simulate the life of a cop, one must provide the player the sequences of a cop, the people he/she should be meeting, and the drama of a cop. Virtually experiencing all of these elements interactively allows you to experience someone else's life, just like when watching a movie.

In addition, a game will be monotone if the player is simply required to accomplish the assigned goal.

...

Unlike film and novels in which you experience the story, in games I simply add the "story element" so that the player can enjoy the virtual experience.

...

I would agree with that person. It is weird that there is a "Best Story" category in video game awards.

As I said previously, the story of a game is only one component of the game design. The story should not be evaluated on its own.

A little bit off-topic, but it's interesting read, for those who still didn't read the feature in GameSpot. Also he mentions that it's not enough just to hire some novelist to write the story for the game... I wonder what exaCTly he means?

 

[border]

I don't think Tom Clancy even writes the game stories anymore -- he just signs off on somebody else's idea, and then stamps his name on it :lol Seems like all Clancy games have tiresome, boring-as-fuck stories, but all Clancy movies are at least pretty entertaining.

Splinter Cell doesn't have to be like MGS, but I'd probably like it a bit more if they had better stories and if they had boss characters.

 

[JPRaup]

Single player mode was horrible.

I wouldnt call it horrible, horrible Singleplayer is Superman 64, SCT had average SP

 

[SyNapSe]

I don't think Tom Clancy even writes the game stories anymore -- he just signs off on somebody else's idea, and then stamps his name on it :lol Seems like all Clancy games have tiresome, boring-as-fuck stories, but all Clancy movies are at least pretty entertaining.

Splinter Cell doesn't have to be like MGS, but I'd probably like it a bit more if they had better stories and if they had boss characters.

I agree in that I don't think there is any way Tom Clancy directly writes or deals with any of this outside of a stamp of approval. He would be working 52 hours a day.

I would not like Boss Characters. I think a lot of times Boss fights stink, but I'll never argue with story improvement.

 

[Cathcart]

Is the LE worth getting? The case looks cool.

 

[Gattsu25]

what the hell? I admittedly hate SC's and SCD's gameplay (piss-poor imitation of Thief IMO) but even I loved the SC3:CT demo...and I have NO IDEA where you guys are coming from saying that the game doesn't look great

 

[HokieJoe]

Sign me up for Sphincter Cell. I loved the OXM demo.

 

[Blimblim]

Ok just back from a 2 hour coop session. In one word: WOW
It's been a long time since I've had that much fun on Live. Playing this with a good friend is of course a big help
Anyway, a few OMGWTF moments from the first coop level :
- Entering a room with 2 guys watching a soccer game, so they do not pay attention to the rest. Me and my friend pull our guns out, count to 3, fire. Both dead at the same time, one bullet in the head. Hitman style.
- My friend hanging from about 5 meters high, and me in another part of the room, waiting for a guard to walk right under him waiting for me to tell him when to jump so he can time the fall right. Bingo, guard dead after trying to catch a full grown man with his head.
- Me hanging upside down from the ceiling by a cord, with my friend 10 meters up controlling my movements. Type in the code, open the big door, alerting all guards. I start frantically shouting to him so he get me up, and it's going soooo slowly, I can see all guards converging on my position but having no idea I'm on top of them. Big adrenalin shot there
- My friend doing noise to attract a guard right next to a door, and me using the bash door command to knock the guard out.
It took us about 2 hours to complete the mission (we both suck). Only downside is that we got 2 disconnections (don't know if it's the game or our ISP acting up) and some severe slowdowns in 2 areas.
What a blast this was. We'll make a video of the best moments of this level tomorrow

 

[radrelic]

Ok just back from a 2 hour coop session. In one word: WOW
It's been a long time since I've had that much fun on Live. Playing this with a good friend is of course a big help
Anyway, a few OMGWTF moments from the first coop level :
- Entering a room with 2 guys watching a soccer game, so they do not pay attention to the rest. Me and my friend pull our guns out, count to 3, fire. Both dead at the same time, one bullet in the head. Hitman style.
- My friend hanging from about 5 meters high, and me in another part of the room, waiting for a guard to walk right under him waiting for me to tell him when to jump so he can time the fall right. Bingo, guard dead after trying to catch a full grown man with his head.
- Me hanging upside down from the ceiling by a cord, with my friend 10 meters up controlling my movements. Type in the code, open the big door, alerting all guards. I start frantically shouting to him so he get me up, and it's going soooo slowly, I can see all guards converging on my position but having no idea I'm on top of them. Big adrenalin shot there
- My friend doing noise to attract a guard right next to a door, and me using the bash door command to knock the guard out.
It took us about 2 hours to complete the mission (we both suck). Only downside is that we got 2 disconnections (don't know if it's the game or our ISP acting up) and some severe slowdowns in 2 areas.
What a blast this was. We'll make a video of the best moments of this level tomorrow

:fap :fap :fap

 

[Dr_Cogent]

I agree in that I don't think there is any way Tom Clancy directly writes or deals with any of this outside of a stamp of approval. He would be working 52 hours a day.

I would not like Boss Characters. I think a lot of times Boss fights stink, but I'll never argue with story improvement.

Agreed. I think adding boss fights would be silly. SC is shooting for realism. Usama bin laden dies with a bullet just like everyone else. No need for bosses.

Oh, and thanks Blimblim for the impressions.

 

[siamesedreamer]

The one thing that really interests me in the single player is the score you get after each level. Appearently, to get a 100% you can't kill anybody during the whole mission. I'm trying to do that in the replay of PT, but there are some parts that seem impossible to get through without capping some asses. For me, that gonna add a whole new level to the gameplay.

 

[Dr_Cogent]

The one thing that really interests me in the single player is the score you get after each level. Appearently, to get a 100% you can't kill anybody during the whole mission. I'm trying to do that in the replay of PT, but there are some parts that seem impossible to get through without capping some asses. For me, that gonna add a whole new level to the gameplay.

*rubs hands together*

Oh, good times, good times.

And regarding the Thief comment. SC kicks the shit out of Thief hands down IMO. And I loved the original Thief. Thief 2 was kinda lame though

Didn't much like the third either. Don't know why exactly.

 

[Mrbob]

And regarding the Thief comment. SC kicks the shit out of Thief hands down IMO. And I loved the original Thief. Thief 2 was kinda lame though

Didn't much like the third either. Don't know why exactly.

!

Anyway, I'm dumb so I'll probably break down and buy this even though Splinter Cell nor Pandora Tommorrow single player didn't do anything for me. If multiplayer in CT can stay from being broken it may be worth keeping to play online.

 

[Gattsu25]

And regarding the Thief comment. SC kicks the shit out of Thief hands down IMO. And I loved the original Thief. Thief 2 was kinda lame though

Didn't much like the third either. Don't know why exactly.

:lol Holy shit...you're on a roll, today

 

[Dr_Cogent]

:lol Holy shit...you're on a roll, today

Good for me. :lol :lol

Had nothing to do with who said it either. I didn't even remember who had said it. I'm not singling you out.

Anyway, I'm dumb so I'll probably break down and buy this even though Splinter Cell nor Pandora Tommorrow single player didn't do anything for me. If multiplayer in CT can stay from being broken it may be worth keeping to play online.

Has nothing to do with being dumb. SC is sweet.

 

[Spider_Jerusalem]

I've got my promo copy yesterday too, and played it last night. Well, this game is AWESOME! I made only the first couple levels, and the first one is the same of the demo, but I enjoyed them so much. You really feel the freedom to act as you like: the easier way is stealth-killing everyoune you meet, but you can also try to pass by them completely unnoticed, expecially using multiple paths provided in the map. One of the greater differences in gameplay mechanics is the melee killing moves: now you'll use less your weapons because you can simply kill someone by running to him in the darkness and killing him with your knife. The story is generic as always, infact it isn't properly a "story" but it simply gives you a real-world scenario for your missions. But even without a strong story about the main character (he seems to be younger in the movies??), I can't wait for playing it again

The graphics are absolutely mind-blowing, I dare to say one of the best ever seen on console, techincally speaking. The worse part are the characters faces, but everything else is absolutely wonderful! Every level has a completion indicator that tells how much good you've been in it, and in both levels I achieved about 45%, infact I didn't bother about the secondary objectives, and went straight on completing the primary ones. It took me about 3 hours to complete two levels, but I already completed the first one in the demo, so it was very fast.

I tried to play Live too, but I found absolutely noone online. I'll try the next nights, maybe more people will get the promo game, an I hope someone from my country... I can't wait to try it coop!

 

[Anyanka]

You can save anywhere on the Xbox version now? That's the main new feature I want in SC. The old checkpoint system was brutal.

 

[Blimblim]

You can save anywhere on the Xbox version now? That's the main new feature I want in SC. The old checkpoint system was brutal.

YES! That's the main point that allows me to enjoy this game. I kill a guard, quick save, kill another guy, quick save... Yes it's weak, but there is no way I could play a stealth game with checkpoint considering how bad I'm at these game.
Grear great game, that's first time ever for me I actually want to go back playing a stealth game (not even mentioning the awesome coop mode)

 

[Spider_Jerusalem]

Blim, have you figured out how to use the goggles scanner? When you point particular objects, like PCs, snacks machines and so on, it scans them and then displays a strange circular symbol. It looks like the scanner in Metroid Prime, but doesn't give you any info about the acanned objects. What's its usage? Only for gathering more points at the end of the mission?

 

[Blimblim]

Blim, have you figured out how to use the goggles scanner? When you point particular objects, like PCs, snacks machines and so on, it scans them and then displays a strange circular symbol. It looks like the scanner in Metroid Prime, but doesn't give you any info about the acanned objects. What's its usage? Only for gathering more points at the end of the mission?

I'll have to try that.

 

[Prine]

sounds good.

Have Ubi sorted out the aiming? Ya know, when you put the crosshair over someones head, or a light source you actually nail it, rather then wasting 5-6 shots becuase Sam cant aim.

Also, what about the hit detection when elbowing guards???

 

[Spider_Jerusalem]

The effects in the game are so seamless, so well executed and so nicely varied, Even on the PS2 version of the game. Yeah, I'd say best graphics this generation. easily.

I'd say it too, or at least one of the best. They really did a great work! The only flaw, graphically wise, is the faces, imho... everything is so photorealistic and people faces seem quite weird.

Have Ubi sorted out the aiming? Ya know, when you put the crosshair over someones head, or a light source you actually nail it, rather then wasting 5-6 shots becuase Sam cant aim.

I didn't have many problems on shooting lights or people's heads, so it seems more precise than the previous games, where I had to shoot several times to turn off a light.

Also, what about the hit detection when elbowing guards???

You mean the melee moves? What was the problem here? However, in CT I don't se there are particular problems, you simply have to be near your enemy, and depending on which position you have it will kill him using a different animation.

 

[Dr_Cogent]

sounds good.

Have Ubi sorted out the aiming? Ya know, when you put the crosshair over someones head, or a light source you actually nail it, rather then wasting 5-6 shots becuase Sam cant aim.

Also, what about the hit detection when elbowing guards???

??? I have no idea what your talking about. I have been dead nuts on in the last two games. There is no aiming problem. Maybe its user error

:lol

 

[Prine]

I thought everyone had a hard time nailing shots becuase the crosshair wasnt entirely accurate. And elbowing people, sometimes id hit a guy and he wouldnt drop, just back up a little and shoot me.

Hows the speed of the game, Sam much faster and agile??

 

[Blimblim]

Riiiiiiight. You wanna talk about best graphics this gen? Let's post some real pics, and I don't mean shit from a WIP from last year . . .

The effects in the game are so seamless, so well executed and so nicely varied, Even on the PS2 version of the game. Yeah, I'd say best graphics this generation. easily.

To be fair these are from the PC version. The Xbox version looks almost as good as that though, I'll try doing some framebuffer captures tonight.

 

[Dr_Cogent]

I thought everyone had a hard time nailing shots becuase the crosshair wasnt entirely accurate. And elbowing people, sometimes id hit a guy and he wouldnt drop, just back up a little and shoot me.

Hows the speed of the game, Sam much faster and agile??

Sometimes elbowing people temporarily stunned them and you had to hit them a second time, and sometimes (usually when they knew about your whereabouts) they could take a hit and not be stunned, giving them a chance to shoot you. Those guys would take a total of 3 hits to take down usually.

Regarding the crosshairs, you're never 100% steady. So although you may think your dead nuts on a light, you weren't (you could really tell in PT because you could switch to the laser sighting with the pistol and see the laser hovering around a certain area). Also, you have to hit the bulb dead on, and sometimes it was hard to tell exactly where it was because of the lighting around it. Sometimes I would just snipe lights so I made sure they were out with one shot.

 

[border]

I thought everyone had a hard time nailing shots becuase the crosshair wasnt entirely accurate. And elbowing people, sometimes id hit a guy and he wouldnt drop, just back up a little and shoot me.

Those were just the flaws of the game. For whatever reason, Sam Fisher is a ridiculously bad shot. Seems like the same problem is in Chaos Theory (demo)....I've had headshots whiz by guys. Since there is a silent EMP blast that takes out lights, the problem of missing bulbs is lessened a little bit.

The elbow thing is over now, since you can just stab them with the knife for a one hit kill. Control movement seems to be exactly the same in previous games (speed included).

Yeah, I'd say best graphics this generation. easily.

When you play it and people's faces/clothes are shining like a freshly glazed Krispe Kreme thanks to poor normal-map + specular lighting, I'm not sure you can say that the effects are well executed. Stuff like Riddick, Doom, and Far Cry can walk all over it particularly if we're only going to judge on media selected by a PR people.

 

[Dr_Cogent]

Those were just the flaws of the game. For whatever reason, Sam Fisher is a ridiculously bad shot.

:lol

I don't think it's Sam thats the bad shot.

 

[AtomicShroom]

Blim, have you figured out how to use the goggles scanner? When you point particular objects, like PCs, snacks machines and so on, it scans them and then displays a strange circular symbol. It looks like the scanner in Metroid Prime, but doesn't give you any info about the acanned objects. What's its usage? Only for gathering more points at the end of the mission?

Depending on the icons that appear, you can sometimes hack into these objects wirelessly. Just press A when it's done scanning an object, most often a PC. It's particularly useful for hacking guarded PCs from a distance without getting spotted.

 

[Spider_Jerusalem]

Depending on the icons that appear, you can sometimes hack into these objects wirelessly. Just press A when it's done scanning an object, most often a PC. It's particularly useful for hacking guarded PCs from a distance without getting spotted.

Oh good, thanks! I imagine the game manual will list all the icons meanings. Damn manual-less promo copies...

 

[HokieJoe]

My only complaint with the whole Sphincter Cell series is the wandering aim in scope mode with the rifle. I understand why they do it, but it just seems a little too exagerrated. All in all a very MINOR flaw though. The Sphincter Cell series is the best in category IMO; and one helluva' slick game.

 

[AtomicShroom]

My only complaint with the whole Sphincter Cell series is the wandering aim in scope mode with the rifle. I understand why they do it, but it just seems a little too exagerrated. All in all a very MINOR flaw though. The Sphincter Cell series is the best in category IMO; and one helluva' slick game.

Did you know you can hold L to hold your breath, which will make the reticle stop moving for about 5 seconds?

 

[Blimblim]

My only complaint with the whole Sphincter Cell series is the wandering aim in scope mode with the rifle. I understand why they do it, but it just seems a little too exagerrated. All in all a very MINOR flaw though. The Sphincter Cell series is the best in category IMO; and one helluva' slick game.

You do know that you can keep it still for a few seconds by using the left trigger, do you ?
Edit :<bauer>Damnit!</bauer>

 

[Dr_Cogent]

My only complaint with the whole Sphincter Cell series is the wandering aim in scope mode with the rifle. I understand why they do it, but it just seems a little too exagerrated. All in all a very MINOR flaw though. The Sphincter Cell series is the best in category IMO; and one helluva' slick game.

Have you ever fired a rifle? Also, in the game you can hold your breath so your aim is steadied. That's how professional snipers do it. I like it this way. It makes the game far more challenging.

The farther you are zoomed in on a target, the more it's going to appear to be squirrelly.

*edit* LOL, those were all real quick replies there guys.

I wonder how many people who play FPS's have actually fired guns in real life.

 

[AtomicShroom]

May I ask how you guys got "promotional copies" of the game? Store managers or something?