dont buy it for the psp!
User Rating: 6.1 | Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Essentials PSP
Let me first start off by saying I AM a splinter cell fan. Even with this in mind, Essentials is a poorly produced (several spelling errors,long load times, stupid save system, etc.) fanboy collection of levels. Some are genuinely fun, but most are easy, require no real stealth (ie. you can just as easily shoot through a level and not hide bodies due to the truncated mini level approach Ubisoft used). Graphics are mediocre at best (needs polish), and clipping is absolutely terrible. The hacking tool and new mine disarming mini game are fun, as well as a new levels from the upcoming Double Agent game. This, however, does not save the game from being mediocre at best. The thumbstick is very sensitive to touch and you will often find yourself running when you first start out. the camera controls are also terrible as you will change how you move when you pull out your weapon (triangle,x, square,circle function as movement and the analog stick becomes aim). This can be overcome with practice, but the camera pan button is not so easily fixed. The lack of second analog stick is sorely missed as you have to stop and adjust while stalking enemies around corners. You will find out that this will end up with you getting killed very easily. Another gripe with the game is the poorly set up menu system in place. Weapon select is difficult to change quickly, and the opsat is next to useless (seems more of an afterthought by the programmers than a useful tool). I was hoping for a game that would be more like a serious version of the syphon filter dark mirror layout, but I was sorely disappointed. This game feels like it could have used a few more months of development and or a complete overhaul of the set-up. I recommend this game only to fanboys of the series, or people who are willing to shell out 40 bucks to get a preview of Double agent.
