Splinter Cell Blacklist: I'm done.

[Shocksplicer]

Today I watched this gameplay footage of the upcoming Splinter Cell Blacklist:

Spoiler

Suffice to say that I am done with Splinter Cell. I have, up until now, played every game in this series that has been released (apart from the portable installments). It has been one of my favourite series, and Chaos Theory is among my favourite games. My mates and I have even had some good times with the significantly less stealthy Conviction, despite it being nowhere near as good as the other installments.

But consider this the last straw. Running and Gunning, Zero Stealth and the ability to call in fucking AIR STRIKES?! Not to mention the fact that Michael Ironside, who has up till now been the voice of Sam in every game, has inexplicably been recast.

It's a sad state of affairs for my favourite pasttime when two of my favourite series (Splinter Cell and Hitman) have been dumbed down and needlessly meddled with to the point that they are now the exact same game, and it's not one I want to play.

What do you guys think? Will you be buying Splinter Cell Blacklist, or for that matter Hitman: Absolution? Do the changes bother you? Do you think they still look fun?

 

[Cyrus Hanley]

They already explained why Michael Ironside isn't returning to voice Sam.

 

[Shocksplicer]

They already explained why Michael Ironside isn't returning to voice Sam.

That's not really an explanation. I get that they wanted to use a new technique for the animations, but why not use Michael's voice instead of the mocap actors'?

 

[MortifiedPenguin]

I miss having stealth in so called stealth games too.

*hug*

 

[Cyrus Hanley]

That's not really an explanation. I get that they wanted to use a new technique for the animations, but why not use Michael's voice instead of the mocap actors'?

Maybe they're really keen on the idea of not having to add voices later.

Or maybe Ironside doesn't want to do it any more.

You could try asking [URL-http://forums.ubi.com/forumdisplay.php/378-Splinter-Cell-Blacklist]here[/URL], but they might ignore you or call you a troll.

[http://picturepush.com/public/8527501]

I think the Captcha is sentient, because it's predicting Blacklist's value.

EDIT:

Why they didn't just add in a new character and have Sam being in the background giving out orders while stemming the political tide is beyond me.

Also this. Especially since it's happened to every other Tom Clancy franchise.

The protagonist from the original Rainbow Six games are running the Rainbows in Vegas and Vegas 2.

Captain Mitchell from GRAW 1 and 2 is now leading the Ghosts in Future Soldier.

Why can't the same of been here?

In this interview [http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/11/maxime-beland-on-the-ghosts-and-panthers-of-splinter-cell-black/], Maxime Beland says, "Sam Fisher doesn't have an age."

Despite this:

[http://picturepush.com/public/8527574]

[http://picturepush.com/public/8527582]

And various other references in concept material and the novels. >_>

 

[Smooth Operator]

Splinter Assassins of War Duty, there Ubisoft you got your new IP now stop shitting on an established name.

The game looks pretty good on it's own but it has nothing to do with Splinter Cell, sadly it looks like you are absurdly overpowered, at no point in that demo did gameplay seem challenging.

 

[Adam Jensen_v1legacy]

Another Splinter Cell made by that retard Beland. Not interested.

And Michael Ironside isn't returning because he said numerous times that Conviction is his last SC. And I can't blame him after what they've done with the story in Conviction.

 

[Chester Rabbit]

Yeah you know I was willing to put up with convictions new run and cover gun minimal stealth gameplay because we still had Sam. (Actually no I couldn't so I just watched my friend play it and hate it along with me.)
But without Ironside, it's not Sam Fisher. I am sorry but that voice made that character.
So with that final remaining element of old Splinter Cell being smothered out I am right there with you. Done.

 

[Zhukov]

It actually reminds me of the stealth in Arkham City and the Assassin's Creed games.

That is to say, any sense of challenge or tactics gets defused by the glut of gadgets and abilities you have at your disposal.

Not fussed about the change of voice actor. The old guy didn't bring anything particularly remarkable to the table. Besides, it's not like Sam Fisher is much of a character. He's just Tough Soldier Guy #48663. I can't be bothered kicking up a fuss over exactly what flavour of grumbles he comes with.

 

[Chester Rabbit]

It actually reminds me of the stealth in Arkham City and the Assassin's Creed games.

That is to say, any sense of challenge or tactics gets defused by the glut of gadgets and abilities you have at your disposal.

Not fussed about the change of voice actor. The old guy didn't bring anything particularly remarkable to the table. Besides, it's not like Sam Fisher is much of a character. He's just Tough Soldier Guy #48663. I can't be bothered kicking up a fuss over exactly what flavour of grumble he comes with.

Which, for me, is exactly why Ironsides? contribution to Sam was such a big deal. Because just that voice gave life to what was not that remarkable of a character.

 

[Shocksplicer]

Not fussed about the change of voice actor. The old guy didn't bring anything particularly remarkable to the table. Besides, it's not like Sam Fisher is much of a character. He's just Tough Soldier Guy #48663. I can't be bothered kicking up a fuss over exactly what flavour of grumbles he comes with.

Be that as it may, at least he was a fairly distinctive sounding Tough Soldier Guy. I quite liked Ironside as Sam, even if it doesn't really make sense for the character to have a slight Canadian accent.
And besides, when you have a character voiced by the same actor over 5 console installments and a handful of portables it seems like a shame to kill the streak.

 

[Zhukov]

[Sam Fisher hate]

Which, for me, is exactly why Ironsides? contribution to Sam was such a big deal. Because just that voice gave life to what was not that remarkable of a character.

[Sam Fisher hate]

Be that as it may, at least he was a fairly distinctive sounding Tough Soldier Guy. I quite liked Ironside as Sam, even if it doesn't really make sense for the character to have a slight Canadian accent.
And besides, when you have a character voiced by the same actor over 5 console installments and a handful of portables it seems like a shame to kill the streak.

Yeah, fair enough.

That seems like a legit way of looking at it.

 

[scnj]

I'm not that bothered about the change, I'll still play it. If I want to play a classic Splinter Cell, I'll go back and replay Chaos Theory.

 

[Clearing the Eye]

i watched the video but you cheeky person putting in a call of duty video . so where is the splinter cell video?

What you did there, in that post - I saw it.

OT: Stealth games are largely dead. Too many people want guns a'blazing for any big time publishers and developers to invest in the slow paced shadow crawlers. Big in the 90's. Pretty small now.

 

[Adam Jensen_v1legacy]

It actually reminds me of the stealth in Arkham City and the Assassin's Creed games.

That is to say, any sense of challenge or tactics gets defused by the glut of gadgets and abilities you have at your disposal.

Gadgets aren't the real issue. Challenge was fine in earlier Splinter Cell games where you actually had a lot of gadgets. The problem is that those gadgets are essentially useless now, because even if your stealth approach fails, you can simply shoot everyone. You can't fail. You couldn't play like that in earlier SC games. You had to rely on stealth and tactical use of gadgets you had at your disposal.

And Fisher is not a generic soldier guy. He has an iconic voice and sense of humor. And we got to know him pretty well in Chaos Theory and Double Agent (PS2 version, which is infinitely better than PC/360 version).

 

[PurePareidolia]

That sure looks like a fun version of Alpha Protocol.

Except this is Splinter Cell and all pretense of stealth or original level design has gone out the window though (more Middle East? really). Why would you design a scenario in which a) you're infiltrating during the day when everyone's alert and b) there's a mounted machine gun that shoots at you half the time? A proper stealth game should have you take out the gunner without being seen, and not even engage the guards, let alone a prolonged gunfight then nobody in the nearby building notices.

 

[Adam Jensen_v1legacy]

you could still take people out by pulling them off ledges, breaking their necks while hanging upside down, jumping down on them from above, or just sneaking up behind them and putting a knife in their back. Using your gun was always a last resort in the old games, whereas in this new game it seems to be the first port of call.

That's what hurts me the most about Conviction. Splinter Cell fans should just stop buying SC games made by that retard Beland. He doesn't seem to have a god damn clue what SC fans want. He's making a game for himself. Fine, let him play it then.

That sure looks like a fun version of Alpha Protocol.

Except this is Splinter Cell and all pretense of stealth or original level design has gone out the window though (more Middle East? really). Why would you design a scenario in which a) you're infiltrating during the day when everyone's alert and b) there's a mounted machine gun that shoots at you half the time? A proper stealth game should have you take out the gunner without being seen, and not even engage the guards, let alone a prolonged gunfight then nobody in the nearby building notices.

You can even call a freakin' airstrike. An airstrike in the middle of gameplay! In a Splinter Cell game!

 

[Ando85]

My all time favorite is Pandora Tomorrow. I liked Chaos Theory, but I found it too forgiving. I tried double agent and couldn't get into it. Haven't played one since.

 

[Adam Jensen_v1legacy]

My all time favorite is Pandora Tomorrow. I liked Chaos Theory, but I found it too forgiving. I tried double agent and couldn't get into it. Haven't played one since.

You should try Double Agent on PS2 or original Xbox. It's just like old SC games. Even the story is a lot better. Really, it's almost completely different. A lot more personal.

 

[Arkley]

Fan complaints about Splinter Cell Conviction:
Omg, I can't make a noise to attract guards any more? Wtf?
I can't set up traps for guards/enemies any more!
Wtf, I can't move bodies! There's no strategy!
Jesus, there's no non-fatal takedowns!
Stealth is so unnecessary, I can just shoot my way through!
The guards are so dumb! All I have to do is stand in a corner and they lose me!
THIS ISN'T SPLINTER CELL, I'M DONE WITH THIS FRANCHISE

New Splinter Cell gameplay trailer:
Sam sneaks past two guards using cover.
Sam climbs a wall, attracts a third guard by making a noise.
Sam K.O.s the third guard, drops his body over the edge to attract attention from the first two guards.
Sam stealthily takes down the two guards, both having fallen for his trap.
Sam then drops from above onto a fourth guard, knocking him out. He has the option to move the body, but has no time because he's been discovered.
Sam then attempts to slip away, but can't because the guards aren't idiots, and must fall back on shooting skills.

Fan reaction to new Splinter Cell:
THIS ISN'T SPLINTER CELL, I'M DONE WITH THIS FRANCHISE


TL;DR
Stop fucking whining. This is closer to Splinter Cell than anything has been in years and, frankly, it's already looking better than the old Splinter Cell. Being immediately fucked when discovered isn't good game design. The current design of rewarding clever, stealthy play while still allowing players to fall back on shooting if they mess up is better.

Okay, calling in an airstrike might have been an odd choice to give him - though, we don't have context for the mission, it might have been entirely reasonable in the circumstances - and it sure does suck that Ironside isn't voicing Sam any more. But the rest of what we know so far indicates fairly clearly that this is a Splinter Cell game, and quite possibly a good one at that.

30 seconds of dashing desperately between cover and shooting a few guards doesn't remove the fact that stealth, tactics and strategy - or at least the building blocks for them - seem to be fully present.