The latest stealth game to star everyone’s favorite night-vision wearing spy, Sam Fisher, is back with Splinter Cell: Blacklist. Officially announced during Microsoft’s E3 2012 conference, the game is set as a direct sequel to 2010’s Splinter Cell: Conviction and looks to raise the bar once again. During Comic-Con 2013 I had a chance to go hands-on with the campaign, co-op, and the much anticipated return of the ‘Spies Vs. Mercs’ versus mode. August 20th can’t come soon enough.
Starting the campaign demo, it felt very much as I expected a new Splinter Cell game to feel. I naturally moved around from cover to cover mapping enemy locations, using my silenced pistol to take an unlucky few out with deliberate aim. To save ammo, many times I would sneak from behind to quietly knock them out and hide their bodies in the shadows. Sadly, when I was finally caught from an unnoticed onlooker, the new ‘Killing in Motion’ mode would have allowed me to take out the soldiers that had moved toward my position, but my reflexes proved too slow and I was quickly taken out.
Splinter Cell has been made famous by its fun-to-use gadgets that offer flexibility in difficult situations. During my short play-through I found great use of the Sticky Noisemaker, an item used to direct a guard’s attention. This little gadget had profound effect on the environment and allowed me to treat any situation like a deadly version of chess, as I was able to move certain pawns out of my way. This allowed me to bypass critical choke points or move an enemy in a specific manner so that he could leave himself exposed to my lethal skills.
Visually, Splinter Cell still has some of the best shadows seen this generation, but as only the Xbox 360 version was on-hand (played on a developer kit) I cannot speak for how it looks on other platforms. Unlike Conviction, which was ridiculed for lacking in color, Blacklist has much more vivid textures. The environments seem to vary from indoors to outdoors, and a night/day cycle adds an additional variable to the levels.
The co-op mode felt quite a bit different than single player, as the reliance on a teammate and the requirement to remain undetected was taxing on my patience. Having spent the most time on this mode, I was able to try it out with various partners and each proved different than the last. Moving about the level I ran into snipers, land mines, and heavily armored soldiers, each of which could end the game at a moment’s notice if they found myself or my partner. Trying to disarm three checkpoints, the mode was incredibly difficult and required concise communication. Furthermore, the experience relied greatly on having a good teammate.
The return of the ‘Spies Vs. Mercs’ mode was by far my most anticipated part of Blacklist, as I had loved playing through it in Splinter Cell: Double Agent. The mode tasked a team of Mercs to try and stop a team of Spies from dismantling three checkpoints before the time ran out. While feeling a bit more sluggish than I remember, ‘Spies Vs. Mercs’ was still a blast to play as the Spies were able to set ambushes while deactivating nodes, and the Mercs were constantly communicating enemy locations in a mad dash to try and stop the infiltrators.
Overall, Splinter Cell: Blacklist felt like a major step in the right direction by balancing the need for combat while allowing for a deep and meaningful stealth experience. The various modes and ability to play with friends through split-screen or online makes this game a much more complete package than we have seen in the past.
Be sure to stay tuned to Crave Online for more coverage as we near the game’s August 20th, 2013 release.
COMIC-CON 2013: The Sights of Comic-Con!
More Comic-Con Coverage!
-
THE WALKING DEAD: Read Our Full Panel Report and Check Out Photos!
-
GAME OF THRONES: Check Out the Complete Panel Report and See Pics From the Event
-
HALL H: See What It Takes for Fans to Grab a Seat in Comic-Con’s Most Popular Venue
-
GALLERY: Costumes, Costumes Everywhere on Day 2!
-
EPIC FAILS: 10 Oddest Cosplay Outfits We’ve Seen So Far
-
VIDEO: Simon Pegg, Edgar Wright Talk “The World’s End”
Comic-Con 2013: Day 2 Sightings
-
75577401
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 19: John Ash wears a Superman themed outfit at Comic Con on July 19, 2013 in San Diego, California. Comic Con International Convention is the world's largest comic and entertainment event and hosts celebrity movie panels, a trade floor with comic book, science fiction and action film-related booths, as well as artist workshops and movie premieres. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images) -
75577385
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 19: Stephen Yan dresses as Deadpool at Comic Con on July 19, 2013 in San Diego, California. Comic Con International Convention is the world's largest comic and entertainment event and hosts celebrity movie panels, a trade floor with comic book, science fiction and action film-related booths, as well as artist workshops and movie premieres. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images) -
75577445
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 19: A zombie character greets people along 5th Avenue in the Gaslamp Quarter at Comic Con on July 19, 2013 in San Diego, California. Comic Con International Convention is the world's largest comic and entertainment event and hosts celebrity movie panels, a trade floor with comic book, science fiction and action film-related booths, as well as artist workshops and movie premieres. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images) -
173524025HG00005_General_At
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 19: Festival goers during Comic-Con International at San Diego Convention Center on July 19, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images) -
173524025HG00009_General_At
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 19: Festival goers during Comic-Con International at San Diego Convention Center on July 19, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images) -
75577505
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 19: People walk toward the Convention Center during Comic Con on July 19, 2013 in San Diego, California. Comic Con International Convention is the world's largest comic and entertainment event and hosts celebrity movie panels, a trade floor with comic book, science fiction and action film-related booths, as well as artist workshops and movie premieres. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images) -
75577517
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 19: Comic fans cross the street enroute to Comic Con on July 19, 2013 in San Diego, California. Comic Con International Convention is the world's largest comic and entertainment event and hosts celebrity movie panels, a trade floor with comic book, science fiction and action film-related booths, as well as artist workshops and movie premieres. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images) -
75577540
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 19: Gabriel Rivera dresses as Ariel from the Little Mermaid at Comic Con on July 19, 2013 in San Diego, California. Comic Con International Convention is the world's largest comic and entertainment event and hosts celebrity movie panels, a trade floor with comic book, science fiction and action film-related booths, as well as artist workshops and movie premieres. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images) -
75577536
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 19: Costume characters pose for pictures at Comic Con on July 19, 2013 in San Diego, California. Comic Con International Convention is the world's largest comic and entertainment event and hosts celebrity movie panels, a trade floor with comic book, science fiction and action film-related booths, as well as artist workshops and movie premieres. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images) -
75577527
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 19: Attendees pose for pictures at Comic Con on July 19, 2013 in San Diego, California. Comic Con International Convention is the world's largest comic and entertainment event and hosts celebrity movie panels, a trade floor with comic book, science fiction and action film-related booths, as well as artist workshops and movie premieres. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images) -
75577522
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 19: Attendees pose for photos during Comic Con at San Diego Convention Center on July 19, 2013 in San Diego, California. Comic Con International Convention is the world's largest comic and entertainment event and hosts celebrity movie panels, a trade floor with comic book, science fiction and action film-related booths, as well as artist workshops and movie premieres. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images) -
75577561
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 19: Michaell Cherry shows his Joker costume during Comic Con at the San Diego Convention Center on July 19, 2013 in San Diego, California. Comic Con International Convention is the world's largest comic and entertainment event and hosts celebrity movie panels, a trade floor with comic book, science fiction and action film-related booths, as well as artist workshops and movie premieres. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images) -
75577564
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 19: A woman with a unicorn horse head waits in line to cross the street at Comic Con at the San Diego Convention Center on July 19, 2013 in San Diego, California. Comic Con International Convention is the world's largest comic and entertainment event and hosts celebrity movie panels, a trade floor with comic book, science fiction and action film-related booths, as well as artist workshops and movie premieres. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images) -
75577556
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 19: A man with his face painted as a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle walks down Fifth Avenue during Comic Con at the San Diego Convention Center on July 19, 2013 in San Diego, California. Comic Con International Convention is the world's largest comic and entertainment event and hosts celebrity movie panels, a trade floor with comic book, science fiction and action film-related booths, as well as artist workshops and movie premieres. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images) -
75577545
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 19: Lisa Kruis shows her zombie outfit at Comic Con at the San Diego Convention Center on July 19, 2013 in San Diego, California. Comic Con International Convention is the world's largest comic and entertainment event and hosts celebrity movie panels, a trade floor with comic book, science fiction and action film-related booths, as well as artist workshops and movie premieres. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images) -
75577542
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 19: A woman who goes by the name Space Pizza Cosply attends Comic Con at the San Diego Convention Center on July 19, 2013 in San Diego, California. Comic Con International Convention is the world's largest comic and entertainment event and hosts celebrity movie panels, a trade floor with comic book, science fiction and action film-related booths, as well as artist workshops and movie premieres. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images) -
75577502
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 19: Costumed attendees walk down 5th Avenue during Comic Con on July 19, 2013 in San Diego, California. Comic Con International Convention is the world's largest comic and entertainment event and hosts celebrity movie panels, a trade floor with comic book, science fiction and action film-related booths, as well as artist workshops and movie premieres. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images) -
75577557
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 19: Star Wars characters pose for pictures along Fifth Avenue during Comic Con on July 19, 2013 in San Diego, California. Comic Con International Convention is the world's largest comic and entertainment event and hosts celebrity movie panels, a trade floor with comic book, science fiction and action film-related booths, as well as artist workshops and movie premieres. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images) -
75577509
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 19: Attendee Anthony Knight dresses as Skull Kid from Legends of Zelda at Comic Con at the San Diego Convention Center on July 19, 2013 in San Diego, California. Comic Con International Convention is the world's largest comic and entertainment event and hosts celebrity movie panels, a trade floor with comic book, science fiction and action film-related booths, as well as artist workshops and movie premieres. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images) -
75577534
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 19: A woman dressed as Wonder Woman attends Comic Con at the San Diego Convention Center on July 19, 2013 in San Diego, California. Comic Con International Convention is the world's largest comic and entertainment event and hosts celebrity movie panels, a trade floor with comic book, science fiction and action film-related booths, as well as artist workshops and movie premieres. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images) -
75578518
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 19: Actor Kevin Bacon attends Comic Con on July 19, 2013 in San Diego, California. The Comic Con International Convention is the world's largest comic and entertainment event and hosts celebrity movie panels, a trade floor with comic book, science fiction and action film-related booths, as well as artist workshops and movie premieres. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images) -
75578514
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 19: Costumed characters play for the crowd during Comic Con on July 19, 2013 in San Diego, California. The Comic Con International Convention is the world's largest comic and entertainment event and hosts celebrity movie panels, a trade floor with comic book, science fiction and action film-related booths, as well as artist workshops and movie premieres. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images) -
75578517
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 19: Actor Kevin Bacon attends Comic Con on July 19, 2013 in San Diego, California. The Comic Con International Convention is the world's largest comic and entertainment event and hosts celebrity movie panels, a trade floor with comic book, science fiction and action film-related booths, as well as artist workshops and movie premieres. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images) -
75578506
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 19: Costumed attendees walk down Fifth Avenue during Comic Con on July 19, 2013 in San Diego, California. The Comic Con International Convention is the world's largest comic and entertainment event and hosts celebrity movie panels, a trade floor with comic book, science fiction and action film-related booths, as well as artist workshops and movie premieres. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images) -
75578515
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 19: Beckham the dog sports a Superman costume during Comic Con on July 19, 2013 in San Diego, California. The Comic Con International Convention is the world's largest comic and entertainment event and hosts celebrity movie panels, a trade floor with comic book, science fiction and action film-related booths, as well as artist workshops and movie premieres. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images) -
75578516
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 19: Amanda King wears an Ice Queen costume during Comic Con on July 19, 2013 in San Diego, California. The Comic Con International Convention is the world's largest comic and entertainment event and hosts celebrity movie panels, a trade floor with comic book, science fiction and action film-related booths, as well as artist workshops and movie premieres. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images) -
75578521
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 19: An attendee dressed as a headless pirate walks down Fifth Avenue during Comic Con on July 19, 2013 in San Diego, California. The Comic Con International Convention is the world's largest comic and entertainment event and hosts celebrity movie panels, a trade floor with comic book, science fiction and action film-related booths, as well as artist workshops and movie premieres. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images) -
75578524
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 19: A couple kiss on the lawn outside the Convention Center during Comic Con on July 19, 2013 in San Diego, California. The Comic Con International Convention is the world's largest comic and entertainment event and hosts celebrity movie panels, a trade floor with comic book, science fiction and action film-related booths, as well as artist workshops and movie premieres. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images) -
75578523
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 19: Comic fans walk down Fifth Avenue during Comic Con on July 19, 2013 in San Diego, California. The Comic Con International Convention is the world's largest comic and entertainment event and hosts celebrity movie panels, a trade floor with comic book, science fiction and action film-related booths, as well as artist workshops and movie premieres. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images) -
75578520
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 19: Costumed attendees walk on an overpass bridge during Comic Con on July 19, 2013 in San Diego, California. The Comic Con International Convention is the world's largest comic and entertainment event and hosts celebrity movie panels, a trade floor with comic book, science fiction and action film-related booths, as well as artist workshops and movie premieres. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images) -
75578522
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 19: Comic fans stand outside of the Convention Center during Comic Con on July 19, 2013 in San Diego, California. The Comic Con International Convention is the world's largest comic and entertainment event and hosts celebrity movie panels, a trade floor with comic book, science fiction and action film-related booths, as well as artist workshops and movie premieres. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images) -
75578519
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 19: Costumed attendees ride along Fifth Avenue during Comic Con on July 19, 2013 in San Diego, California. The Comic Con International Convention is the world's largest comic and entertainment event and hosts celebrity movie panels, a trade floor with comic book, science fiction and action film-related booths, as well as artist workshops and movie premieres. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images)
