Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell 3D

 3DS
Metascore
53

Mixed or average reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 21 out of 32
  3. Negative: 10 out of 32
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  1. GamePro
    Apr 26, 2011
    80
    The fact that Ubisoft was able to remaster one of the greatest chapters of the Splinter Cell on a portable platform with only minor downgrades is a small miracle. Splinter Cell 3DS is far greater than it has any right to be, given the drastic overhaul made to the control scheme and the newness of portable 3D gaming.

Awards & Rankings

63
#63 Best 3DS Game of 2011
41
#41 Most Discussed 3DS Game of 2011
19
#19 Most Shared 3DS Game of 2011

User Reviews

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User Score
5.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 32 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 32
  3. Negative: 10 out of 32
  1. DoctorDingus
    Apr 19, 2011
    8
    As a huge fan of the original Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory for Xbox and an avid supporter of the 3DS, this game seemed to be a match made inAs a huge fan of the original Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory for Xbox and an avid supporter of the 3DS, this game seemed to be a match made in heaven for me. I was absolutely set on buying it when the game was announced, but since I never buy a game before taking a look at reviews, I almost didn't buy it. Nobody gave this game anything above a 70% so I was pretty skeptical. I must say, however, that I haven't regretted buying it for a second. I'll start off by saying that the control issues are greatly exaggerated in most of the reviews. Though I'll admit that controlling the camera with the face buttons is difficult at first, you get used to it pretty quickly. There are points where it can be annoying, but it's hardly a game killer. Mapping action commands to the d-pad actually works out just fine most of the time. The use of the touch screen is exactly what you would want it to be: fast, easy, and convenient. And, finally, the circle pad works just as well as an analog stick to control Sam Fisher's movements. For a game made with an Xbox controller in mind, I'm actually impressed with how effective the controls on the 3DS are. They're not perfect by any means, but they're clearly not as bad as they are made out to be. The missions from the original Chaos Theory are all here, and well put together. Obviously the beautiful level of graphical detail from the original is not present, but all in all they are effectively rendered if a bit watered down. The 3D effect, though not at all critical to the gameplay, looks great. With games like Pilotwings and Ridge Racer I have to keep the 3D slider somewhere in the middle to keep my eyes from being strained, but in Splinter Cell 3D I can keep it all the way up with very little eyestrain if any. There are times in the game where I have to stop for a moment just to appreciate just how cool the effect really is. Splinter Cell holds a special place for me as perhaps the only "secret agent/ super soldier" type game that I have ever really liked. There are few moments in gaming as satisfying as slipping past armed guards totally unnoticed, and there is plenty of that in this installment. While there are a lot of complaints about the aiming system being inaccurate (which, I'll admit, it is), the whole point of the game is to not have to use guns. It's much more fun to figure out a way to get past guards without killing them. While some may be sore about inaccurate aiming, I find that the classic "sneaking around" gameplay remains wholly intact. I do have some problems with this game in that the AI is very weak at times, and that there are some graphical glitches. If there are two guards talking to one another you can grab one in the middle of the conversation and drag him into the shadows without the other noticing. The conversation simply ceases and the other guard continues business as usual. There are also times that you can see a shadow on the wall of a guard that is in the next room, among a few other strange graphical quirks. These aren't huge issues, but the lack of multiplayer support, while unsurprising, is a bit disappointing. Most of the criticism of this game is derived from what the game DOESN'T do rather than what it does. All in all this game stays true to the classic Splinter Cell gameplay I've grown to know and love. It is by no means the best entry in the series, but it's a solid portable installment that, in my opinion, has received more criticism than it deserves.… Full Review »
  2. Redmagpie93
    Apr 22, 2011
    7
    I was new to the series and this game made me want to delve into the series again after completion. True the camera may be a bit dodgy but inI was new to the series and this game made me want to delve into the series again after completion. True the camera may be a bit dodgy but in a stealth game about taking your time i feel it doesn't hamper the experience. The only true fault I had was that the areas in-game were so dark that during the day i kept the heat vision permanently on but when I played at night (which was most of the time) I felt it added to the experience. Enjoyable but not perfect… Full Review »
  3. Northur
    Feb 25, 2013
    8
    Very solid on the road game. After awhile when you learn the buttons and how the camera works is just fine. Just remember it's a 3DS game, notVery solid on the road game. After awhile when you learn the buttons and how the camera works is just fine. Just remember it's a 3DS game, not a console one.… Full Review »
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