Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Essentials

 PSP
  • Publisher: Ubisoft
  • Release Date: Mar 21, 2006
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Essentials Image
Metascore
58

Mixed or average reviews - based on 37 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 49 Ratings

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  • 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 EchelonAfter 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]… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 22 out of 37
  3. Negative: 10 out of 37
  1. Next Level Gaming
    81
    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.
  2. 3DAvenue
    80
    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.
  3. DailyGame
    65
    Sure to disappoint fans of the franchise, but may be a nice "lite" introduction to newcomers.
  4. GamePro
    60
    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.
  5. GameSpot
    58
    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.
  6. Detroit Free Press
    50
    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.
  7. Computer Games Magazine
    20
    Controls are so poor that Sam might as well be fighting the forces of evil blindfolded. [July 2006, p.92]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 37 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 16
  3. Negative: 3 out of 16
  1. YanniK.
    Apr 21, 2006
    10
    I
  2. NathanielS.
    Jul 10, 2006
    10
    I just loved the game.
  4. Alexwise
    May 9, 2012
    10
    Amazing game indeed. Played it through holding my breath! Stealth elements are made very well, the storyline is also catchy.
  5. JakeC.
    Mar 26, 2006
    8
    I have all of the Splinter Cell games and like them all. This one is basically the same as all the rest except the camera controls are a I have all of the Splinter Cell games and like them all. This one is basically the same as all the rest except the camera controls are a little hard to use so if you liked all of the previous SC games this one is about the same as all the rest.… Expand
  6. DjFIL
    May 21, 2006
    7
    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 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.… Expand
  7. DGDrocks7
    Jun 20, 2018
    5
    Adapting PS2 experiences on the PSP wasn't an uneasy task. Just look at games like SOCOM and Metal Gear Solid. While they controlled differentAdapting PS2 experiences on the PSP wasn't an uneasy task. Just look at games like SOCOM and Metal Gear Solid. While they controlled different and some sacrifices had to be made, they were fun experiences. So what happened here?

    They just dumped a PS2 game here, that's what happened. Ubisoft thought you can just develop a PS2 game then dump it on the PSP without making changes. First, the controls, oh my, the controls. Because of no second analog stick (seriously who the hell thought just one analog stick was a good idea?), camera control is a nightmare. The default means you cannot move Sam and the camera at the same time. Alternative allows you to do so but it puts camera control on the face buttons. Guess where the action buttons are. Either way, you need to push a button to activate or deactivate camera mode. Granted you can get used to the controls quite easily, but if only the levels were designed with that in mind. But they aren't. As if the PC and console SC games weren't difficult enough (in a good way), the control scheme made it frustrating. Remember those times where you had to reload saves when you screwed up? You'll have to do it many, many, many more times here.

    Speaking of reloading saves, get used to the Title: you'll be seeing it many times and for quite a while. Aside from constant reloading, you'll have to wait a long time when reloading saves. And I was playing the DIGITAL version. On a PSP-3000. So imagine playing on a UMD with the PSP-1000 (which has less RAM). That said, the loading times can be resolved if you play on a PPSSPP Emulator. The control issues, however, are still there.

    And I had no idea what's going on in the story. This is after Double Agent (which was released months later). Sam get falsely arrested and needs to clear his name. So all except the final level are flashbacks as Sam is telling what really happened. You also see a twist in the SC timeline which I think was not supposed to be seen until you play DA (gg Ubisoft). And remember when I said they just dumped a PS2 game here? Well, two of the levels are exactly from the console versions (one from the original and the other from Chaos Theory). And like I said, these levels were hard enough on the bigger platforms.

    And the bonus missions...are all from Pandora Tommorrow. No, if I want to play those levels, I'll play Pandora Tommorrow. You can only unlock them by entering a code on the website but since it's dead and you're curious: just go to the Bonus Missions screen, hold Select and tap L+R at the same time repeatedly till you unlock all of them. But trust me, go play PT instead as you'll just torture yourself. You've been warned.

    SC:E looks fun. I just wished it was playable on a platform other than the PSP. If it got some more development time, it would have been excellent. Wasted potential is what I'm seeing.    … Expand
  8. AllyP.
    Mar 22, 2006
    2
    All I can say is get Syphon Filter not this game!

See all 16 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

14
#14 Most Discussed PSP Game of 2006
25
#25 Most Shared PSP Game of 2006