The AI in the game is pretty strong, and the enemy guards and civilians react
realistically. Individual guards might try to gun you down or run to sound
an alarm, and groups of enemies will come at you in different directions as they
attempt to flank you. If you haven't been detected, the guards will
continue on their patrols and strike up conversations with each other.
They are aware of their surroundings, though, and will react to shot out lights
or bodies left lying in the open, not to mention Sam making too much noise.
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Sam hangs around out of sight. |
Splinter Cell is not an easy game, but not for the same reason as most Tom
Clancy games. The other games feature a realistic injury model where a
single shot can kill and health packs are nowhere to be found. Splinter
Cell is much more forgiving in this department as Sam is given a large health
bar and suffers no ill effects from low health. The game even features
medical kits sprinkled throughout the levels which can be used to restore lost
health. What makes Splinter Cell challenging is the strong AI and the
puzzle-like nature of the levels. You don't have the freedom to take any
route that you want through a level, there is a definite solution to each
situation. These solutions are not always obvious, and often require some
trial and error on your part or the occasional backtracking. The solutions
are not necessarily obfuscated by the game's designers in an attempt to add
artificial challenge to the game, and the solutions make sense once you find
them. However, be prepared to die a number of deaths when playing the
game.
Graphics-wise the game looks great, with some amazing lighting and texture
effects. Character movement is natural and realistic, and the environments
look very realistic as well. While the game is one of the best looking on
the GameCube, it does not quite match the look of the Xbox version. The
GBA connectivity is a cool feature, but if you've already played through the
Xbox version there's no need to go through the game again on the GameCube.
It still looks best on the Xbox's superior hardware.
In The End, This Game Hath Been Rated:
95%. This game sets the standard that all future stealth action games
on the GameCube will be measured against.
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