A greater focus on plot and character from a new perspective. (one of the longer reviews)
Firstly, the graphics. They are very good. While it is still based on the Unreal 2 engine, and uses some animations from CT, it has been given a fresh coat of next-gen paint - making full use of HDR lighting and great textures. Fisher’s character model, while moving in the same way as CT, has a face that actually doesn't look like plastic. Facial expressions are all the more clear and all character models in general look great - I just want Sam to grow his hair back though! The game's visuals peak in the Kinshasa levels, where the 360's hardware is fully used to create a real conflict going on between factions in the Congo. The game runs smoothly and is playable throughout.
Double Agent takes the series into uncharted territory with its story, following Sam after entering a depression following his daughter’s death and his subsequent entry into a terrorist organisation as a double agent. The most obvious change is the JBA HQ missions which give a totally new aspect to the series. You have no weapons, you are one of the terrorists - yet you are working for the NSA and need to spy from within the network. It provides a higher level of tension, as do the moments in the game where you decide to either kill an innocent/CIA agent/can't tell you and your actions will have a detrimental effect on the overall outcome of the game. All decisions affect the trust meters and some even affect how the game ends. Playing the double agent gives you a greater sense of freedom in deciding how far from the rail you are willing to go to complete your mission while not blowing your cover.
The story has much more depth to it - but it seems a little more development time could have prevented things flying passed you while you say "wtf?” This was most notable when we learn that Sarah is dead and Sam gets depressed - but from there the story picks itself up.
Sam has some new kit, but most of it doesn't seem all that new - just obvious. The notable exception to this being the explosive sticky-cam, does exactly what it says and can be unlocked by completing certain objectives. Unfortunately - Sam's goggles seem to have been degraded. The thermal vision isn't half as useful as it was before and the night vision is a shade of ghastly lime green. It also seems to take longer for Sam to switch between vision modes and put on/off his goggles. - Little things like that can have an effect when you use them all the time.
It seems as Fisher gets older he learns knew moves, the best by far is the ability to wait at doorways/cover and grab the unsuspecting enemy as he passes through. A quick chop to the neck brings the scumbag down with a pathetic whimper and have the choice of either knocking him out, or breaking his neck in the most graphic way; the sound effects see to that. Sam can now shoot round corners again, which he could do ever since the first SC, yet that was missing from CT.
Many other sounds, like animations have been recycled - and while there was nothing particularly wrong with them, it doesn't allow Double Agent to stand apart from CT as CT did from PT. For someone who played Chaos Theory a number of times - it doesn't do much for me when I hear Sam give the exact same yelp as he gets shot in the leg.
The music and ambient sounds however, are fantastic. The music is dynamic depending on Sam’s level of detection and proximity to enemies and this can come in handy for knowing when to stop searching that cabinet at the JBA HQ. In the Kinshasa levels, the sound of bullets whizzing, shells dropping and ordinance give a great level of intensity.
The AI has definitely improved - and extremely tough on the hardest setting. They call to other members and search with more vigour, and even send men to flank you round the behind - making getting out of a situation all the more intense and exciting; not to mention tough.
The multiplayer in both Pandora Tomorrow and Chaos Theory is some of the greatest I have experienced. Double Agent attempts to take the concept and make it more "user friendly". I can admit it does make the online more fun, but the level of tension just isn't the same as it was before. Seasoned vets of the previous instalments may look at this as some kind of child's playground - where you are led by the hand.
That said - the MP is different and is fantastic in most areas, and those who learn the levels and work as a team (now up to 3 players each) will prevail. The Mercs are still in first-person and still carry the big guns, now spies have no weapon at all but are more agile in their actions and the levels seem more balanced.
Double Agent's single player is wonderful; it has most of what Chaos Theory had and adds new perspectives to a now 3-Dimensional character, once again played by Ironside (thank God). The multiplayer is great, and looks good too - but to some may seem less "hardcore".
To any Splinter Cell fan - Double Agent is a must-have - but don't expect the leap Chaos Theory made from Pandora Tomorrow. To those who are new to the series - expect a steep learning curve in the single player - but a nice easy-to-get-to-grips-with multiplayer.