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Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Essentials

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7.8 User Score:

Mixed or average reviews

Based on 37 critic reviews
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Based on 28 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Ubisoft

Developer: Ubisoft Montreal

Genre(s): Action, Adventure

Players: 2

ESRB Rating: M (Mature)

Release Date: March 21, 2006

Summary

After learning about the death of his daughter, Sam Fisher is nowhere to be found. When Homeland Security agents finally locate Fisher in New Orleans, their worst fears are realized. Surveillance photos show Fisher in the company of Emile Dufraisne, a known domestic terrorist. Third Echelon wants answers: why did their best agent throw away decades of service to forces with terrorists? As Sam defends himself, he will tell a story no one suspected. Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Essentials starts where Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Double Agent ends, and takes players to the years before Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell when Sam was still a Navy Seal. Full immersion in Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell universe: Takes players deep into the saga of Sam Fisher – with missions from Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell, Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Pandora Tomorrow, Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Chaos Theory. and Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Double Agent. Discover the entire Splinter Cell series through flashbacks and brand new missions. A game of gadgets for your gadget: Features all the weapons and gadgets from the Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell franchise, in addition to some new ones exclusive to the PSP system version. Accessible Wi-Fi multiplayer: Challenge your friends in Spy vs. Spy Deathmatch multiplayer mode. [Ubisoft]

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Also On The Web: Official Game Site

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Next Level Gaming

I wish I could say that a lack of true wireless online gameplay and sometimes frustrating controls would make me want to not play Splinter Cell: Essentials. But then I would be lying. The missions and the level designs make the game so fun overall to play that it hides some of the weaknesses in the controls.

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Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK

This classic series has been lovingly translated for PSP. It's a great stealth fix, although you do want to switch the lights on sometimes. [Apr 2006, p.93]

PSW Magazine UK

If you long for those days then Splinter Cell Essentials is right up your street. Not only do some of the missions recall Sam's early years, the game as a whole is one long flashback to the hardcore stealth of old.

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Game Informer

I definitely enjoyed Essentials and how it ties into the rest of the series, as will other Splinter Cell fans. [May 2006, p.112]

3DAvenue

In the areas Essentials does well, it excels, but what it doesn't do well keeps it from the must buy list for all but the most hardcore Sam Fisher fans unfortunately.

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PSM2 Magazine UK

An object lesson in why certain games probably shouldn't make the transition to PSP - wait for "Double Agent" on PS2 instead and enjoy the 'Cell experience in all its intended glory. [May 2006, p.74]

Play UK

Fans of the series should be prepared for a fight if they want to get the most out of the game. [Issue#139, p.75]

Cheat Code Central

Splinter Cell is a game that has pushed the envelope of the next-gen consoles. To release this game on a handheld is to have that envelope pushed back with "Return to Sender" marked on it.

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DailyGame

Sure to disappoint fans of the franchise, but may be a nice "lite" introduction to newcomers.

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PSM Magazine

The PSP has no camera-maneuvering second analog stick, making the spy's portable debut a frustrating chore. [Jun 2006, p.85]

Gaming Horizon

Splinter Cell Essentials is nonessential for any Sam Fisher fan.

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IGN

Every facet of the console games appears in full form, but most of it suffers from poor execution. Whether it's the controls, presentation or multiplayer, you can't help but feel Essentials shipped months too early.

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Gamers' Temple

Splinter Cell Essentials would more be appropriately entitled “Splinter Cell Frustrations”.

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Jolt Online Gaming UK

If you aren’t an experienced Splinter Cell player, or found the game tricky on the Xbox, then the controls will likely be confounding and the other issues not worth dealing with. Nice try Ubi, but no cigar.

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Game Chronicles

The potential is here – the game just needs to cook for a few more hours before it’s ready for consumption.

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Digital Entertainment News

Even though the game has the spirit of previous Splinter Cell titles, not to mention the exact missions, it's without innovation and comes off as a stale installment in an otherwise fantastic series.

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GameZone

While its interesting story ties in with the upcoming Splinter Cell: Double Agent for the major consoles, an interesting plot just isn’t enough to distract us from the poor visuals, atrocious controls and long load times.

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Games Radar (in-house)

So despite high production values, highlighted by another stellar turn by Ironside, there are too many frustrations for anyone but the most staunch Splinter Cell fanatic to try and stomach.

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GamePro

The beauty of Splinter Cell games has always been the flexibility and fluidity of their controls, especially on the Xbox. But Splinter Cell: Essentials fails to adapt the mechanics to the PSP, and the end result is a frustrating experience with lengthy load times -- an overall trimmed experience.

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Yahoo! Games

If we hadn't spent so much time recently with the superb "Syphon Filter," maybe the deficiencies wouldn't be so glaring. But once you've seen PSP stealth done right, there's no going back.

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Edge Magazine

Despite a fair few moments of awe, the governing and familiar impression here is of compromise. The vivid aesthetic and precise audio of the console versions have respectively been mellowed and overplayed, the design beaten into handheld shape and accordingly bruised. [Apr 2006, p.93]

games(TM)

It isn’t the PSP debut we had hoped for. With a short lifespan and old missions, let’s hope this is the beginning of the end for what has been a strong franchise. [Apr 2006, p.114]

GameSpot

Unfortunately, due to some bad controls, oppressively dark levels, and a worthless multiplayer mode, the result is a game that is more frustrating than it is rewarding.

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TotalPlayStation

This is not a game worthy of the Splinter Cell title. It feels rushed, forced and, worst of all, like a quick cash-in on a franchise that's move into the next-generation of consoles.

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Electronic Gaming Monthly

It's official. Splinter Cell is not meant to be a portable game. I think these other reviewers are too forgiving because Splinter Cell's so great to begin with. But I'm a fan of the series, and I think this one stinks.

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Eurogamer

The camera never becomes comfortable and the graphical glitches are an embarrassment to the development team, the publisher and the player.

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Detroit Free Press

The game does feel rushed, but with a scarcity of militaristic shooters, this Splinter Cell title, though flawed, isn't a horrible choice for PSP owners looking for a stealth-action fix.

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Game Revolution

A lackadaisical, recycled romp that tries to emulate the Splinter Cell experience. But without the good graphics, A.I. or multiplay, all it does is put the “Why?!” in spy.

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VideoGamer

Splinter Cell Essentials is an example of a game that simply isn't suited to the control limitations of the PSP. If you can get past the camera issues (which is a big ask), you're still going to have a less than brilliant experience due to the dumb AI.

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Worth Playing

This game should have been as good and as much of a departure as the upcoming Splinter Cell is; instead, its gameplay piddles around with everything the series has already established.

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GameSpy

Even Sam's biggest fans will disappointed by this mediocre title, especially those that are expecting the same type of experience they've gotten used to on the consoles.

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Official U.S. Playstation Magazine

This is one of the least user-friendly gameplay experiences I've had in some time. [May 2006, p.90]

PALGN

The idea is sound, but the execution most definitely isn't.

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Modojo

The most hardcore Splinter Cell fan might want to try to overlook the game's problems for its new levels, I suppose. What's most upsetting is what could have been.

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RewiredMind

The AI is so basic that it is possible to rush through many areas without fear of getting hurt or even getting noticed. Even if you do decide you’re going to take it slow, it is a lottery as to whether some enemies will detect you or not.

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GameCritics

To make an embarrassing story short, Splinter Cell: Essentials is a mess. For a series that leads the stealth genre and has worked hard to make itself more accessible and more polished with each successive sequel, an entry like this—even on a portable— can only be seen as a miserable failure.

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Computer Games Magazine

Controls are so poor that Sam might as well be fighting the forces of evil blindfolded. [July 2006, p.92]

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 7.8 (out of 10) based on 28 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Jordan S. gave it a10:
This is an amazing game. the graphics are very good although i found that for most of the game i had to play using night vision. I like how splinter cell essentials tells the whole story of the splinter cell saga through the different missions.

Nathaniel S. gave it a10:
I just loved the game.

DjFIL gave it a7:
Reviwers were pretty harsh on this game. It's only got 2 main issues in my opinion... there is lots of graphic clipping issues... but more importantly (and maybe reviwers took this as the big reason for low marks) is the static camera, you must move the camera manualy by holding the circle... it kinda sucks (especially in tense gun down kinda situations)... but if you plan out your moves (as you should in a stealth game like Splinter Cell) you'll be able to deal with the camera issue just fine. Beyond those 2 issues, this game is everything you'd expect or want from a handheld version of Splinter Cell. It may not be a purchase, but I'm glad I rented it to play through while on my night shift.

David M. gave it a10:
I personally think it's a great game, which goes back throughout the Splinter Cell series. The gameplay is relatively good, and all the favoured game style is in there.

Yanni K. gave it a10:
I’m a hardcore fan of the “Splinter Cell” series. Despite a few frustrating moments in getting used to the controls and a few glitches; the game draws you in. It is fun and exciting like the rest of the series. The graphics are pretty decent, however, the sound could use enhancement. The missions are very intriguing and the level design makes the game very entertaining. Overall, in my opinion, if you love the Splinter Cell series and this style of “spy games,” you will enjoy playing Splinter Cell Essentials.

Bob K. gave it an8:
when I got this game on easter sunday it looked ace from the back. But when i started it was bad the controls were horrible and it was really hard but when i got into it it was very good. The stealth is top class. I never liked Splinter Cell games until i played this i think it has won me over!

Greg B. gave it an8:
The first few levels do not impress, the controls are uncomfortable at first (especially if you have been playing SOCOM and Syphon Filter), and re-loading from a Checkpoint takes longer than I would like, but... ...I am really enjoying this game! Graphics: Weak in the early, outdoor, missions - GREAT in the indoor missions. And NO framerate issues that I could find. The environments also have lots of stuff in them - not the empty rooms that you see in SOCOM (I love SOCOM, btw). The controls are fine. Really. And you may prefer the Alternative setting, which is very close to the default setting in Syphon Filter (analog stick move you, buttons on the right aim). I do fine with the default controls given that this is a splinter cell game - so I spend time stationary and looking around. Just hold down the circle and freelook with the analog stick. Works just fine, thank you. And the level design is really good. These are FUN levels and I don't feel the need for super-duper precise timing or having to have a Walkthrough handy to get through the levels. I'm on Mission 9 now (NSA) and I'm not an expert gamer by any means. I've also found how to unlock all three of the bonus missions.

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Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Essentials

Game Info

Summary

What The Critics Said

What Our Users Said

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