Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Essentials

 PSP
  • Publisher: Ubisoft
  • Release Date: Mar 21, 2006
User Score
7.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 49 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 49
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 49
  3. Negative: 8 out of 49
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  1. 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 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 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
  2. NathanielS.
    Jul 10, 2006
    10
    I just loved the game.
  3. DonT.
    Mar 27, 2006
    4
    I Really Wanted to like this game! Unfortunately, it's loaded with crash bugs, camera clipping problems, and horrible controls. That's Ubisoft for ya! You did the same with my favorite series Prince of Persia on PSP! As for graphics; the screenshots everywhere on the net look very good, and they had really gotten me pumped for the release. However, The majority of the game is I Really Wanted to like this game! Unfortunately, it's loaded with crash bugs, camera clipping problems, and horrible controls. That's Ubisoft for ya! You did the same with my favorite series Prince of Persia on PSP! As for graphics; the screenshots everywhere on the net look very good, and they had really gotten me pumped for the release. However, The majority of the game is Black (not dark...just balck!) and you end up having to use the night vision all the time. This wouldn't be so bad if the night vision didn't look so bad. If you think this game looks great, then I'm guessing you're comparing it to the DS or something 'cause the newer games like Syphon Filter and Daxter make this Splinter Cell look rather weak. As for the controls, I got used to it after a while, but not being able to shoot and move at the same time was REALLY not intuitive. Maybe it's because I played quite a bit of Syphon Filter and got spoiled by thier controls, but Essential's control implementation lacked finish and forethought. Example: the analog on the PSP is WAY too sensitive and you try to sneak by moving the nub just a bit and end up running: not the outcome you're expecting!… Expand
  4. GregB.
    Mar 28, 2006
    8
    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 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.… Expand
  5. chris
    Apr 8, 2006
    9
    i have enjoyed playing the game i think the atmosphere in the jungleand the oil platform is cool i cant fault it after a while you get used to the controls after all its a psp game not a mouse or keyboard like on pc.Wat do you people expect. I love the game and would recomend anyone to hire it out from video stores as for buying the game i think it a bit pricy
  6. DavidM.
    May 9, 2006
    10
    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.
  7. AllyP.
    Mar 22, 2006
    2
    All I can say is get Syphon Filter not this game!
  8. JohnF.
    Mar 25, 2006
    8
    A all around good game that suffers from the UMD's shortcomings. All in all, an amazing game held back by its PSP host.
  9. 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 little hard to use so if you liked all of the previous SC games this one is about the same as all the rest.
  10. BobK.
    Apr 19, 2006
    8
    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!
  11. YanniK.
    Apr 21, 2006
    10
    I
  12. JordanS.
    May 24, 2007
    10
    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.
  13. BlazingTiamat
    Nov 13, 2014
    3
    Did not like the game much. The militaristic/stealth setting is great and shooting/melee attacks from surprise were fun, but overall Essentials is way too hard for non-hardcore splinter cell gamer. High difficulty, complicated controls, often unclear/obscure mission objectives, and also in some places somewhat busted technically. Only for die hard fans of stealth games.
  14. 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 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,    Adapting 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
  15. 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.
  16. SickRobbery
    Nov 1, 2021
    6
    Pretty enjoyable game. Has some fun story beats. I love the (funny) banter between NPC's. Clunky controls are helped by a remastered controls mod.
  17. sage2001
    Jun 1, 2017
    4
    I picked this game up for my PSTV for 3.49. I'm a big fan of metal gear solid and thought that I should give Splinter Cell a shot.

    Perhaps I should've picked something else... The game controls like utter **** thanks to the PSP not having a second analog stick. You have to toggle between camera controls and action controls and it all feels clunky and terrible. For a PSP game, the    I picked this game up for my PSTV for 3.49. I'm a big fan of metal gear solid and thought that I should give Splinter Cell a shot.

    Perhaps I should've picked something else...

    The game controls like utter **** thanks to the PSP not having a second analog stick. You have to toggle between camera controls and action controls and it all feels clunky and terrible.

    For a PSP game, the game looks absolutely terrible. Mind you, this is the same system that brought us Midnight Club, Portable Ops and Resistance.

    All in all, SC Essentials is a stealth game ruined by clunky controls and horrible graphics...    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
58

Mixed or average reviews - based on 37 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 22 out of 37
  3. Negative: 10 out of 37
  1. RewiredMind
    30
    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.
    Read full review
  2. GameCritics
    30
    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.
    Read full review
  3. Play UK
    71
    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]
See all critic reviews »