Tactical feast

Sam is back

Sam Fisher is back and creep shooter fans will have probably heard with raptures. As in the previous parts of Sam is part of the Third Echelon intelligence unit so secret that not even the government knows it. Third Echelon is part of NSA and always comes into force when particularly delicate operations are pending in which the enemy will not even be aware that anyone was there. For those special jobs, there is the Splinter Cells: Up to the bones heavy armed mercenaries who act like a shadow in enemy territory. Preferably, these special forces occur alone or at most in pairs, but they have the efficiency of a half army. In the new part, however, Sam not only works for the secret service, but must be for a new job for double agents. He treads the narrow path between secret agent and a terrorist and has for one or the other side to take sides not to lose the confidence of its allies repeatedly.

Not Kleckern but padding!

To anticipate the same optical is Splinter Cell: Double Agent a grenade. Compared to the 3 predecessors, the developers have once again made a significant leap forward. In particular, the extremely detailed characters eye-catching. Fine details such as fine lines on the face, sweat or about through the skin translucent veins are reproduced realistically. All movements are smooth animated and almost lifelike. The environments are the second to none. High-resolution textures and shaders convey the feeling seeming realistic surfaces and structures. Of course, numerous particle and smoke effects sweeten the action-packed events around the double agent. Particularly impressive is probably the blurring effect when you climb out of the water and this runs down the screen. The level architecture is generous and in contrast to its predecessors, there are a lot more outdoor areas that show how well the graphics engine can also display beautiful environments. The proven light and shadow system of the predecessor has been further improved and looks even more impressive, as when Sam prefers light-filled fans on his way.

Pure Tactics

Splinter Cell: Double Agent is a pure shooter and the creep in the most positive sense. Who like Rambo with a loaded weapon has a fantastic forward and wild shoots to be not only gets worse Mission reviews, but learn with all hardness know the ingenious AI of the game. Opponents immediately respond to actions of the player, release of suspected alarm call and if necessary reinforcement. Even if you simply times ausknipst only one lamp to eliminate the telltale light alert the enemy and immediately seek their environment. Weaknesses occur rarely (about when installing the detention camera, makes noise and a guard looking forever after). A tactically cautious approach is therefore essential. In some areas it is even completely forbidden to use lethal weapons. In such cases, only the use of non-lethal means such as the adhesive gun (Taser) or the annular face bullets helps. So Sam is not immediately recognized by his opponents is the player a huge arsenal of acrobatics and tactical funds. When Mr. Fisher's turn deposits would probably watch even a Lara Croft now and envious. Nearly easily jumps up the old man railing, abseils down from heights, lurches to dangerous precipices around or giving way as laser barriers from. Especially cool are the stealth actions involving Sam silently opponents done from ambush, for example by up behind them sneaking in and taking the Messerwürge or by deigns of a rope and the enemy attacks the head. Yes you can even emerge from the water and thereby involve opponents from around in the same. As in its predecessors are Sam back 3 different vision modes (night, thermal and infrasound view) are available which make more or less sense depending on the situation. Also for the main weapon of these modes can be switched on separately.

Play It Again Sam

Splinter Cell: Double Agent is not only an eye but also a feast for the ears very first grade. Whenever it is dangerous, the music changes dynamically and it is violent tension. The weapon sounds and ambient noises seem extremely realistic and be beyond even reproduced accurately positioned. There's someone in the distance a shot from, then it belongs to low, as it would happen in the vicinity. The German dubbing of the characters is very well managed and has consistently professional. Almost needless to mention already that Sam speaks in the German voice of Nicolas Cage again. DA definitely a listening experience: with the appropriate sound system Splinter Cell is.

Where Please Mr. Fisher?

With so much light, there are also (some) shade. The controls are simple overloaded something now now 4th installment of the series. This may be due to the many tactical finesse of the game, but it does nevertheless stand out negatively. The main reason is that some of the keys are required for various actions and from time to time to solve then evenly times the wrong function at the wrong moment from. It is also striking that it is sometimes a little needs to be changed to the vision modes, which may well prove to be disadvantageous. Even the swimming seems a bit vague and not precise enough. The third-person view and free-moving camera, however, provide sufficient visibility and a good look at the opulent visuals.

A tough cookie

Although the game is not very long, but, due in part is. Through the good AI, very demanding, especially in the high degree of difficulty Only very cautious natures are the maximum number of points can be obtained for an assignment. In addition to a car memory function can also save itself at any point, as long as you want it for. Unfortunately, there are very many and very long loading times. Splinter Cell formally invites to a tactical of all measures to make use and always aware proceed quietly. Although the game has become more open, but it is nevertheless a very linear knitted title. Friends straightforward shooting-if-yourself-What-moving action should better make a big circle around the title. Splinter Cell: DA is a title of hungry for a HD-capable output device due to the grandiose appearance. On a standard PAL TV loses much of the atmosphere and the flair of the levels. In addition to the single player campaign the game features an online multiplayer part for 2-6 players and a Co-op mode for 2-3 players. The small defects in the operation are loosely offset by the excellent single player campaign and the technical brilliance of the title in graphics and sound. For fans of the predecessor, or of games like Thief: The Dark Project of the title is thoroughly recommended. All other auditions is highly recommended.

Graphics: 92%

Sound: 90%

Control: 70%

Gameplay / scope / Motivation: 85%

Rating: 86%