When Splinter Cell first hit
PCs about this time last year, it dazzled gamers with some of the most realistic
stealth action ever in a game. Now the sequel, Pandora Tomorrow, is hitting PCs
with the same brand of espionage and action, albeit a few new tweaks in the
formula. However, the biggest addition to the Splinter Cell series is the
excellent multiplayer gameplay, which takes stealth to a whole new level. Even
without the multiplayer aspect, Pandora Tomorrow is a worthy successor to the
first Splinter Cell, and deserving of your money if you are a stealth-action
fan.
As in the first Splinter
Cell, Pandora Tomorrow puts you in control of NSA agent Sam Fisher. You are
sent in on a mission to destroy sensitive information after the US Embassy in
Jakarta is seized by a group of guerrilla militants. This is the first of
several missions that will have Sam trying to eliminate the threat of the
anti-US militia faction led by Sudahi Sadono, the ruthless head of the group.
The core gameplay of Pandora
Tomorrow hasn’t changed very much from the first game, which is not at all a bad
thing. The high level of realism has been nicely retained, and with improved AI
and a few new moves like the half split jump and the SWAT turn, the gameplay is
even more immersing and authentic. The AI will adapt and increase their
aggressiveness as more alarms are accumulated, which is a nice touch.
The first Splinter Cell
provided a bevy of authentic weapons and spy-gadgets, and Pandora Tomorrow keeps
with that nicely. Items like the Sticky Shocker, Distraction Camera and Optic
Cables have returned and are at your disposal should the necessity for their use
arise. The SC-20K assault rifle is also there for your use, with both automatic
firing capabilities and a multipurpose launcher.
As great as the single-player
game is, the multiplayer aspect is what truly drives the game. Pandora
Tomorrow’s multiplayer elements provide a truly unprecedented form of online
action. You begin by selecting from one of two different sides, the spies and
the mercenaries. As a spy, you must perform your task in utmost stealth, be it
neutralizing a virus, stealing an item or sabotaging something. As a mercenary
you must find all of the spies in a stage and eliminate them. This type of
stealth cat-and-mouse gameplay is one that hasn’t really been explored in an
online form, but Pandora Tomorrow does a fantastic job of making the experience
unique and compelling.
The original Splinter Cell
offered up great graphics and lighting effects, and Pandora Tomorrow keeps with
that tradition. The game has fantastic lighting effects and improved character
models, and the animations are smooth and realistic.
The sound effects are also
fantastic. The music is subtle and ambient during sneaking parts, and melds
into fast-paced techno music if the guards are alerted to your presence. The
voice acting is great, with Michael Ironside (Starship Troopers, Total Recall)
returning as Sam Fisher and Dennis Haysbert (24) taking on the role of
Colonel Irving Lambert. The sound effects are also crisp and accurate, and
considering how a great deal of your stealthiness depends on the sound you make,
this is extremely important.
Pandora Tomorrow continues
the legacy of the original Splinter Cell very nicely and even ups the ante with
some unique and engaging multiplayer elements. Any fan of the original (or
anyone who would love some great multiplayer spy action) shouldn’t miss it.
Gameplay: 9.5
The original Splinter Cell set the bar for realistic espionage action, and
Pandora Tomorrow raises it. The AI has been improved from the original game and
the level of realism has been nicely retained from the original. While the
single-player game seems to follow the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mantra,
the multiplayer element breaks new ground and offers an exciting blend of
stealth and cat-and-mouse.
Graphics: 9.5
Pandora Tomorrow offers up some fantastic graphics, thanks to great lighting
effects and improved character models.
Sound: 9.5
The sound effects are crisp and clear, something that is important in an
espionage game. The music is appropriately dynamic, like something you’d find
in a movie. The voice acting is professionally done, with Michael Ironside and
Dennis Haysbert taking on the roles of Sam Fisher and Irving Lambert,
respectively.
Difficulty: Medium
Concept: 9.8
Pandora Tomorrow takes a great game and pushes it even further with some
excellent multiplayer features.
Multiplayer: 9.8
Pandora Tomorrow’s
multiplayer formula has gamers pitted in a cat-and-mouse game of espionage and
elimination. All in all, this is one of the most compelling online action games
since Counter-Strike.
Overall: 9.7
Pandora Tomorrow offers up
the same kind of single-player spy action as the first game, but really raises
the bar by offering some fantastic multiplayer elements. Be you a solo gamer or
an online fiend, you will love Pandora Tomorrow.
