Out of the shadows but deadly as ever...
Conviction may not be the best looking game on the 360 but its easily better than Double Agent. The new black & white look is a nice touch though takes a little getting used too at first. The environments look brilliant especially the later levels, which showcases a war-zone and all the player models are designed realistic enough. The only issue I have is Sam Fishers face because at times it looks a little super imposed and seems just a little odd especially when he's talking (Cut-scenes with standing).
Sound-wise, Fisher sounds brilliant once again and the voice acting for the most part is well done. The sounds of the weapons and the world around is good enough with one exception. I speak of the enemies who talk a lot of crap when trying to find you and it becomes tiresome, I mean if you were being hunted then surly you would want to be quiet about your location. The soundtrack at times is also a little weird for a Splinter Cell game and can be just a little OTT for a stealth action game.
Gameplay in this installment of Splinter Cell has made Sam Fisher evolve from a slow almost awkward character of the past, to a slick Jack Bauer type character. Fisher's faster movement not only suits the game style & story but makes Fisher feel more dangerous and allows the game to up the ante at times. The new Mark & Execute system allows for quick/slick killing that to some may feel cheap but I feel it makes Fisher a more authentic killer. The new system doesn't feel overpowered because you must complete stealth kills to gain such abilities. I would of liked the ability to move bodies even though the game is more action pace and they really should re add that feature in the next game. Also some of Sam's early moves as wall jump is gone so that's disappointing and I feel sometimes the levels are designed to encourage gun play a little too much. I also miss the ability to grab and interrogate more characters as you could in the past games.
The AI has been made superior to the past games in area's such as their sight is longer and they are more accurate with weapons. However they still follow a pretty much linear path when patrolling, which is still a little too repetitive in my opinion. The AI talk and shout too much as I stated earlier but they do seem smarter and outflanking and not just running towards you.
The game offers a decent length single player that's worth finishing more than once though the levels being a little less linear would suit a game like this more. The main CO-OP story is excellent and should be expanded upon with DLC and made longer in the next game. There is also extra modes to play both on your own and with a friend so it adds more hours to the games life. The game has been polished well with very little in the way of bugs & glitches. Overall Splinter Cell Conviction is a well worth game for any Splinter Cell or Stealth genre fan but the more action orientated approach should bring in more new players to the franchise.