Sam Fisher may prefer to fight alone but Splinter Cell Conviction thankfully caters for more sociable types by featuring several online multiplayer modes and full Xbox Live support. How do these elements stack up against other popular Xbox Live-based shooters? That’s what we’re here to tell you…
Read the rest of out Splinter Cell Conviction review:
Splinter Cell Conviction review: Key Features
Splinter Cell Conviction review: Overall verdict
Splinter Cell Conviction review: Combat Strategy guide
While the short nature of Splinter Cell Conviction’s single player campaign is likely to annoy some players, few complaints can be levelled at the superb multiplayer options, which offer support for link-up, same-console split-screen and Xbox Live play.
Deniable Ops is closest to traditional online play as you’re going to get; in this mode teams of players face-off against computer-controlled opponents, making full use of the same deadly techniques and strategies honed in Sam Fisher’s solo excursion.
While it’s initially disappointing that you can’t fight against human players, there’s a very good reason – the “Mark and Execute” and “Last Known Position” features are designed to work against AI foes and not other players. It makes perfect sense when you think about it; getting relentlessly killed by the instant-death “Mark and Execute” attack would grow old pretty swiftly and a human player wouldn’t be fooled by the ghostly outline suggesting an opponent’s supposed location.
Deniable Ops is decent enough fun, with Hunter, Infiltration, Last Stand, and Face-Off gameplay modes. However, by far the most appealing element of Splinter Cell Conviction’s online offerings is the co-op mode, which can be played either online or on the same machine via a split-screen view.
Set a few days before the events of the Sam Fisher-starring single player mode, this portion of Splinter Cell Conviction sees you and a buddy assuming the roles of Russian agent Kestrel and US agent Archer.
Playing either on a direct link or via Xbox Live, you and your friend must work together to achieve various goals in four different environments. The campaign is book-ended by cut scenes and dialogue, which make it feel like a complete experience rather than just an extra element tacked-onto Splinter Cell Conviction’s solo mode.
Just as the mode’s title suggests, co-operation is of paramount importance; when you’re taken down your ally has a few moments to rush to your aid and revive you before you black out from blood loss. In many games of this type it’s tempting to dash off and selfishly claim all the glory but in Splinter Cell Conviction’s co-op mode, if one of you dies the game is finished. You have to work together and watch each other’s back.
The most appealing aspect of Splinter Cell Conviction’s co-op portion is the ability to “Mark and Execute” in tandem. The two players share their marks, so once one player has tagged an enemy their friend can taken them out. This opens up all kinds of strategic gameplay options, with one participant dashing around marking foes whilst the other picks the perfect shooting angle.
Read the rest of out Splinter Cell Conviction review:
Splinter Cell Conviction review: Key Features
Splinter Cell Conviction review: Overall verdict
Splinter Cell Conviction review: Combat Strategy guide
It’s no exaggeration to say that Splinter Cell Conviction only really springs to life in co-op mode; the single player story naturally has the glitz and the glamour but partnering up with a buddy and stepping into the jack boots of agents Kestrel and Asher is arguably where the real entertainment lies.
