Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow

PSM Magazine

You're getting two incredible games that, while vastly different in terms of mechanics, maintain a cohesive theme: stealth. It just doesn't get better than this. [Aug 2004, p.26]

Playboy

A new online mode allows four players to stalk one another. Take an opponent hostage and use your headset to describe all the pain you plan to inflict on him. [May 2004]

Gaming Age

The best way to enjoy this game online is to forgo rank matches, find a few real life friends that have the game and a few online people that share your interests and play with them.

Official U.S. Playstation Magazine

The absolute best possible Pandora experience is when four people who know each other hook up and take turns playing as spies and mercs. It is a spectacularly rewarding experience and unnervingly addictive. [July 2004, p.84]

Computer and Video Games

Every bit as bowel-rupturingly tense and terrific as the Xbox version. Sneaking has never been so freaking fantastic. A supreme stealth master!

Worth Playing

It’s truly amazing to see these more impressive graphical representations maximizing this system’s potential.

Electronic Gaming Monthly

The single-player game is a perfectly adequate sequel to the original, but the multiplayer stuff may well be the best online experience on the PS2 right now. [Aug 2004, p.102]

Play Magazine

Fastidiously laid down, inventirely presented, established with a keen eye for detail. [Aug 2004, p.57]

GamePro

The best and most substantial addition, however, is the new Jungle mission in which Fisher must maneuver through a beautifully rendered Indonesian forest of death.

Gamers' Temple

Offering detailed maps, excellent graphics power and an extra single-player mission exclusive to the PS2, players who love stealth-action games cannot go wrong with this title.

Australian GamePro

Not quite up to the Xbox and PC standard, but the gameplay is still insanely enjoyable.

Gamezilla!

Just fun, mostly enhanced by its multiplayer mode. It’s definitely worth it.

Yahoo! Games

To make up for the weaker aesthetics, PS2 gamers do get an extra single-player level (along with some tweaks to the existing levels), and a post-mission stats readout that might give players something to brag about online.

1UP

It successfully integrates stealth gameplay into a multiplayer setting by pitting spies against mercenaries in a four-player, two-team competitive game, and we love it.

3DAvenue

Obviously with the port to PS2 the graphics have taken a hit but not nearly as much as many people would have expected.

Gaming Nexus

If you’re like me, and the PS2 is your only game system, you will still be amazed by the graphics, gameplay, and overall amount of fun you’ll have playing Splinter Cell Pandora Tomorrow.

GMR Magazine

On the downside, you're going to have to bite your lip and accept the fact that the Xbox version does look a bit better. [Sept 2004, p.84]

Total Video Games

Quite simply the conversion to the PS2 is magnificent, it seems as though there have been very few sacrifices from the Xbox version, particularly the fluid water effects and dynamic lighting have survived the translation perfectly.

games(TM)

Patience is still a virtue, and fans of mindless action titles should still give Splinter Cell a wide berth. Unless you're partial to a little online gaming, that is. Put simply, Pandora Tommorrow's multiplayer takes your breath away. [Apr 2004, p.108]

GameShark

PlayStation 2 owners that would rather pluck out their eyes than own an Xbox will want to get this game.

Game Chronicles

If you don't already have the online adapter for your PS2 you now have the single best reason to get one and get online. Then again, if you have an Xbox or a suitable PC you would probably be better served playing Pandora on either of those formats.

Game Informer

The only time I felt that the downgraded graphics were really an issue was when I was using night vision in the PS2 multiplayer - everything looked so muddy that it was almost useless. [Aug 2004, p.92]

GameZone

A few flaws aside, Pandora Tomorrow on the PS2 is pure stealth-action bliss and if you liked the original Splinter Cell you’ll love this one. It’s beautiful visuals will blow you away and its online multiplayer alone is worth the price of admission.

Inside Gamer Online

Now the sound is probably the worst part about the game.

TotalGames.net

There's no denying the marked improvements which make Pandora Tomorrow a far more amicable gaming experience, unfortunately it's the similarities that keep it from greatness. This plays how the original should have.

GameSpot AU

Certainly, if you can access the Xbox or PC versions, plumb for them first, but otherwise, and especially if you're looking for what has up to now been one of the most unique online pleasures known only to Xbox owners, what are you waiting for?

eToychest

The single player game alone doesn't really warrant a purchase-a rental is easily sufficient to see all it has to offer. However, players who are blessed with a broadband connection, network adapter and USB headset should have no qualms about buying this game.

GameSpy

While it's got a few problems, particularly with the load times and frequent checkpoints, Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow is still a great game. It looks nice, offers enough challenges to keep you engaged, and has the best multiplayer action around.

Gamer's Hell

If you can live with the less gorgeous image quality then the PS2 version of this excellent game should suit you just fine.

Game Revolution

Although Pandora Tomorrow’s single-player game is hurt by the PS2’s hardware limitations, it still represents an excellent stealth experience coupled with one of the best multiplayer modes around.

GameSpot

If you have the means to play the Xbox or PC version of Pandora Tomorrow instead, then you should. But this is a respectable port overall, and if you consider it only in the context of the PlayStation 2's library, it's still a great game.

PGNx Media

The level design is solid in Pandora Tomorrow, although the PS2’s levels are hampered by simpler, less-detailed designs than its Xbox counterpart.

IGN

It's an immersive, if poorly paced, technically limited singleplayer campaign, but it's a beautiful PS2 effort and a marvelous multiplayer romp. It's smart, shows ingenuity, and is plain different from anything else out there. It's deserving of merit, but treads a thin line that bends over excellence and mediocrity.

VideoGamesLife

In terms of being a conversion, Pandora Tomorrow on PS2 suffers from the technological drop quite badly, but it’s not like we weren’t expecting it. After all, the PS2 will be four later this year, so a few things going awry here and there doesn’t exactly leave us weeping tears of pain.

GamingTrend

Repetitive, a little frustrating but well done and fairly well polished.

TotalPlayStation

Refinements in story, level design and narrative pacing have helped the single player experience fall at least on par with the first game, but the addition of an evilly addictive multiplayer mode that plays differently depending on which side you choose makes it a must-buy.

Eurogamer

The only problem, in truth, is that it's outrageously difficult to play against experienced campaigners that know the maps inside out and all the tricks. But against your equally (in)experienced mates, it's a fantastic way of experiencing stealth gaming multiplayer.

Edge Magazine

It's disappointing that basic irritants are still evident in the singleplayer game. But it's the online version - which takes the hunter/hunted metaphor to chilling extremes - which ends up being one of the most nerve-racking gaming experiences of all time. [Apr 2004, p.98]

PSX Nation

By far the best espionage title available on any platform.

Game Over Online

Intermittent AI detection, graphical issues that affect core gameplay and length issues truly diminishes the impressive nature of this game. Fortunately, the impressive multiplayer game salvages this game from simply being a quick rental without replay value.

Weekly Famitsu

8 / 8 / 7 / 7  - silver [Vol 852]

My Gamer

Another area where Pandora Tomorrow is somewhat of a let down is in the absolute necessity of having to find humans to play with.

RewiredMind

Gets a final score of 70 simply because the minor changes to the PS2 version have somewhat lowered the quality of the gameplay experience. A lot of the tension has been forceably removed by the anomalies with the lighting system and for a stealth game, if you don't have tension, you don't have much else left to be going on with.

Loaded Inc

The bottom line here is that Pandora Tomorrow is a care taker game. A filler. The starters course before the main meal. If you go silly for sneaking or are hungry for hiding in shadows then by all means pick this up and have a quiet, tip toeing blast.

Gamestyle

Those who enjoyed the original will again lap up everything this has to offer, but the unconverted will remain as such.