Give me the fever!

It would be easy, if you had to judge only a new game here. You could have a one track as interesting stealth action shooter, or whatever you want to call this mixture report. A game with a somewhat confused story, in addition to some attractive moves so has its moments and is advised far too short. Objectively evaluated, it should get, in my opinion a maximum of four, three and a half star more. If it were a new game ...

... But it's not so simple. SCC is the fifth part of the best video game series and the best stealth game series ever. And as such, it should also be evaluated!

I am SC-fan from the start and have played through all parts before Conviction at least four times each. Always on the highest possible levels in full stealth manner. That is, by playing without a single enemy contact, with few exceptions, in which the game to open combat forces, such as in the library of the Presidential Palace in the first part.

One can highlight the technical progress concerning graphics, physics, and the like at SCC Ragdolleffekte, but need not be. Because basically it is to be understood in a number of that class.

What I'm also the positive.

Well, I think that the artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer so easy to calculate. The walkways must be observed sometimes quite long to recognize repetitions. If one then thinks you have it and can now sneak ahead slowly, it could still be that an opponent abruptly turns and runs back, where he remained several times before. Especially actions that remain hidden to the opponents: a not so silent jump as you wanted to, or the elimination or even imposition of light sometimes put the evil so in turmoil that all previously rightly defined strategies could be hell. If you even seen this luxury you should rarely allow this position is marked and taken by the opponents usually violently under fire. Wriggle out there still can be quite tricky. So AI of opponents: very good!

The new mark-and-off function: well, not badly done, but is also boring. I have it applied only where firefights are inevitable, or in the side missions to level up the relevant PEC (Prepare and Execute Challenges). PEC is a points collection system, which allows you to improve the active and passive equipment.

Much more good I can not report unfortunately.

[Caution spoilers, the next paragraph contains content to Story]

The story is pretty confusing and drawn-fetched. First it assumes that you have killed in DA (Double Agent, the fourth SC-part) Lambert. In fact, you had the choice, Lambert to kill or not. Anyway, now Sam is obviously times his killer, all I care. What Sarah (Sams daughter) refers to sudden resurrection, I would imagine that the makers they want one day to the protagonists of the SC games nominate. Let's wait and see.

But what I really miss is the typical Splinter Cell Feeling. Where is the Dietrich? No locks must be cracked, all game-relevant doors are open. Only once you have to "borrow" a keycard for a lift at the opponent. And where are the good old combination locks? Retina scanners? Before, I had to think whether I'm trying to get a security guard alive for retinal scanner or rattling off him by questioning the right combination of the cross, or whether I search the hard drive of a password-protected computer for the code, or if I try to always the risk of triggering alarm to hack the numbers or retina Castle. Or is there perhaps another way? Can I climb through an elevator shaft, perhaps? Where ever the countless secret passages, creep and ventilation shafts? It's too easy, people!

Why can I no longer hide corpses? After a kill, you can not move a body. You must first drag the enemy in a dark corner and sleeping place there, if you do not want to run the risk that the body is discovered. But this is not possible, if you want / need to run the kill from a distance. For example, by shot or by dropping from an elevated position.

And finally: the Splinter Cell gimmick par, the night vision device, no longer exists. It is replaced by a sonar unit that is similar to the old EMP-view. A beam of sufficient shade, there is even no longer, instead of the whole screen is now black. I do not like, because in Stealth Games keep to the now times mostly in the shade, and as you play SCC over long distances just in black and white.

Overall, there is simply too little stealth. Too often forcing me to open the game battles. Iraq level is the low point of the entire Splinter Cell series for me.

Finally, for playing time. I've always wondered how you can get excited about too short playing time when you're running through a stealth game in Counter-Strike-style! But SCC is really too short, the shortest game I've ever played. Even if you play as stealthy as possible, it is done in a few hours. Some levels, especially the ones you have to play with an open visor, are carried in a few minutes.

And the so-called side missions are just some typical multiplayer maps that you can also solo by playing against AI. The two objectives are always the same flat per Map: Run through the map and Kill all enemies, or defend an EMP device against all attackers. These side missions you can indeed collect the above PEC points, but they have nothing to do with the main story in the least. With all the potential that was burned here, one could develop a Splinter Cell 5, which would also worthy of the name.

There are three stars from me one of which is very benevolent. If you will, the bonus star of a fan who wishes that the gaffe Conviction remains unique.

Love Splinter Cell makers: please give me back the fever! I want to go back night after night playing with headphones and get goose bumps when I suddenly behind me hear at night in a heavily secured office building hacking a computer noise. I want to sneak back and not run again crack codes and locks, again circumvent security systems or put out of action, again have more choices. And I want my overpowered opponents must not be let in the floodlights. Power invisibility Sams, or for that matter, Sarah, again a top priority of Splinter Cell, and give me a solo (!) - Game extent in the Main Story, which is worth the purchase price.