Sam Fisher better step up...

User Rating: 5.6 | Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Essentials PSP
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell is all about stealth, invisibility and impressive sneaking abilities. However, Sam Fisher seems to have a problem...HE'S LOST AN ANALOG STICK! Again, shooters without analog sticks to both move and shoot is kinda like trying to get through the day with one hand... Just bloody difficult!

Splinter Cell has prided itself in letting the players choose multiple paths in achieving their objectives, but in Essentials, the levels are quite linear, without much room for innovation or different approaches. Another enormous problem is the fact that you must hold the "O" button and then analog stick to look around. This means that you will loose precious seconds in checking your surroundings when trying to knock out a guard or sneaking past a security cam. This impediment makes Sam virtually blind to his sides and back.

However, those who have played the original Splinter Cells on PC or the consoles will experience some nostalgia as several missions come straight from the first three games. Stealth is still extremely fun if you are a patient gamer, who doesn't just like to blow through the entire level, and the sense of realism is not too bad (though the guards seem to have problems spotting a blown light or dead/knocked out comrades). This port was a good attempt, but anyone who isn't a fan wouldn't pick up this game and say "HOLY SH!T I LOVE THIS!"

5.6/10

lil.riceboy