Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell

 Xbox
User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 168 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 142 out of 168
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 168
  3. Negative: 9 out of 168
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  1. CharlieLoGamer
    Jul 6, 2023
    10
    A instant classic. I really remember playing this game when I was kid and still loving it today. There are
    no games like this anymore sadly. 10/10
  2. KentKouh
    Jun 25, 2023
    10
    The game that started it all, still a masterpiece even today. Maybe not as good as Pandora Tomorrow or Chaos Theory tho.
  3. Alex_Pilgrim008
    May 1, 2022
    9
    An Xbox classic from 2002. Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell plays like a realistic version of Metal Gear Solid. At the time of release, it was the most graphically advanced video game on console. Featuring stunning lighting and shadow effects, "Splinter Cell" was the first true showcase of the Xbox's graphical power. Visually, It still holds up exceptionally well in 2019. The stealth gameplay isAn Xbox classic from 2002. Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell plays like a realistic version of Metal Gear Solid. At the time of release, it was the most graphically advanced video game on console. Featuring stunning lighting and shadow effects, "Splinter Cell" was the first true showcase of the Xbox's graphical power. Visually, It still holds up exceptionally well in 2019. The stealth gameplay is equally impressive. While it might be too slow for some, the game arguably surpasses MGS and Hitman in stealth tactics. As NSA field operative Sam Fisher, players can utilize numerous abilities, weapons and gadgets. While there may be too many trial-and-error segments, this is one of the best action titles from the early 2000's. I would rate it with a 9.3 out of 10… Expand
  4. oldmaster1818
    Jul 23, 2021
    9
    Splinter Cell was one of the great games from 20 years ago. I noticed that this game was on the backward compatible list for the Xbox One, and decided to give it a whirl. It was a great decision, as the game was brilliant back then, and is still fantastic today!

    I was amazed just how revolutionary it was for a 2002 game. Sam Fischer rocks! Pros- Sneak mode is awesome with lovely use    Splinter Cell was one of the great games from 20 years ago. I noticed that this game was on the backward compatible list for the Xbox One, and decided to give it a whirl. It was a great decision, as the game was brilliant back then, and is still fantastic today!

    I was amazed just how revolutionary it was for a 2002 game. Sam Fischer rocks!

    Pros-
    Sneak mode is awesome with lovely use of shadow/lighting
    Heaps of gadgets to attach to the weapons
    Incredible storyline- Chinese, Burma, Russian Republics- just like the real world today
    Michael Ironside voice acting
    Nice challenge to beat on first playthrough- easy on second attempt
    Combat is really good for a stealth game
    Good amount of check points to save frustration

    Cons-
    No widescreen support for modern gaming
    AI soldiers have repetitive patterns and voice acting
    Jump button can throw you in frustrating directions

    Game Content- 10 out of ten
    Fun Factor- 8 out of ten

    Overall score- 9    … Expand
  5. KaleSungurCrane
    Nov 20, 2020
    8
    OVERALL - 82%

    Gameplay - 9/10 Graphics (for time) - 7/10 Story - 7/10 Game Length - 7/10 Characters - 8/10 Level/Area Design - 8/10 Atmosphere - 10/10 Sound Effects - 7/10 Soundtrack - 7/10 Replay Value - 7/10 I found the controls hard to get used to and couldn't help but compare it to the superior MGS series, but there was a clear developer vision that was laid out in this    OVERALL - 82%

    Gameplay - 9/10
    Graphics (for time) - 7/10
    Story - 7/10
    Game Length - 7/10
    Characters - 8/10
    Level/Area Design - 8/10
    Atmosphere - 10/10
    Sound Effects - 7/10
    Soundtrack - 7/10
    Replay Value - 7/10

    I found the controls hard to get used to and couldn't help but compare it to the superior MGS series, but there was a clear developer vision that was laid out in this game and deserved to be successful.    … Expand
  6. storygamer
    Oct 19, 2020
    9
    When Tom Clancy´s fresh franchise Splinter Cell was released in 2003, i was totally hyped. With this game you get the full agent stealth action and a real competitor to the Metal Gear Solid series. Everything from graphics to gameplay were stunning. And this game can still hold up today. Get it for thrilling hours of high suspense! I played it on PC too, but the Xbox version is by far the best!
  7. JeffM.
    Dec 8, 2004
    10
    This game rocks it changed the way I look at stealth gaming and I still have yet to play Pandora Tomorow but I know it will be good.
  8. CarloL.
    May 6, 2004
    10
    If you give this game a rating lower than a 10, then you suck balls.
  9. HitmanD.
    Apr 18, 2004
    9
    Awesome game, all the people rating it below 9 are doing so cos they sucked at it and find it too hard.
  10. JustinM.
    Jan 18, 2004
    9
    One of my favorite games eva. The ai could use a little improvement but the game was awesome.
  11. DerekO.
    Jan 11, 2004
    10
    Awesome.
  12. MattR.
    Aug 1, 2003
    10
    At times infuriatingly difficult (CIA level, anyone), this game is also the most rewarding. The graphics are stunning, and arguably the best on any platform, ever. The lighting is incredible, and adds what Metal Gear lacks: realistic tension. I also enjoyed the real-life mood of the game, from the one-shot one -kill approach, to the concept of sound being a give-away, to the lack of At times infuriatingly difficult (CIA level, anyone), this game is also the most rewarding. The graphics are stunning, and arguably the best on any platform, ever. The lighting is incredible, and adds what Metal Gear lacks: realistic tension. I also enjoyed the real-life mood of the game, from the one-shot one -kill approach, to the concept of sound being a give-away, to the lack of idiotic level-end bosses. When will the Metal Gear series (and Nintendo, for that matter) grow up and realize that an espionage thriller loses all luster when after skulking around with your mullet, you have to shoot a certain character 243 times in the head in order to keep playing? That is SO 1988!… Expand
  13. J.Hill
    Jul 25, 2003
    10
    It is awesome, pure and simple. Those who complain about the clipping and physics (bodies going through walls) are ignorant as to software development. Is it irritating? Yes. Is it a worth-while trade off for what the devs spent their time and energy on? ABSOLUTELY! Same thing with the linearity issue. I don't like it either, but I am educated enough on games and software in general It is awesome, pure and simple. Those who complain about the clipping and physics (bodies going through walls) are ignorant as to software development. Is it irritating? Yes. Is it a worth-while trade off for what the devs spent their time and energy on? ABSOLUTELY! Same thing with the linearity issue. I don't like it either, but I am educated enough on games and software in general to understand that it was a design choice, not a short coming. When you see what the designers and devs have done in this game, it is pretty obvious to anyone with common sense why they had to design it in a linear fasion (perhaps to release it sometime this decade?). If you are tentative and may not like stealth/spy genre, go rent it. If you are into the black-ops genre, quite thinking and go get this game, you will not be disappointed.… Expand
  14. SeanoB.
    Jun 16, 2003
    10
    It's worth the $$$!!
  15. MatthijsOtterden
    Jun 1, 2003
    10
    It's just a top game!!
  16. M
    May 30, 2003
    8
    Ronald A., before you start rambling on about a game you dislike, use some DAMN periods. Everything you typed was practically gibberish.
  17. ChristianO.
    May 1, 2003
    9
    The only almost-meaningful problem with the game is the limbs going through walls. Love everrything else. OPSAT isn't in color, and I wonder why. My PDA is in Color.
  18. HoraceP.
    Apr 30, 2003
    9
    This game was one of the best I've played on the XBOX. There were some missions that were not givin enough instruction, but overall it was an awesome game.
  19. AndrewZ.
    Apr 29, 2003
    10
    Perfect game. Stealth simulation taken to the extreme! Definitely a "must have".
  20. 2-D
    Apr 28, 2003
    9
    Very good game but the PC version can be better control wise.
  21. BruceF.
    Apr 24, 2003
    10
    Its great.
  22. Mike
    Apr 14, 2003
    9
    Splinter cell is a verry cool game only sometimes a bit to difficult. and bullits...... there must be more bullits in the game because i only found bullits once in the game and i am at the third or fourth mission (government building at the elevator)
  23. BubbaFresh
    Apr 5, 2003
    10
    8.4 user rating with 62 votes is an insult to this spectacular game.
  24. BlaD.
    Mar 11, 2003
    10
    Good game buy it now!
  25. LilBo
    Mar 10, 2003
    9
    Two words. Practically PERFECT! This game is incredible, beautiful graphics, great gameplay, challenging yet not too hard. My only complaint is the camera. It's rather annoying.
  26. AlexP.
    Feb 24, 2003
    9
    Amazingly fun game! Best graphics ever, neat gadgets. My only wish is that I wish I could save anywhere, but the current system is not too bad. Some parts took me days to complete. Wish more games looked and played this smoothly. The controls could be a little more intuitive.
  27. FranF.
    Jan 15, 2003
    8
    This game will blow you away for sure! Even the most cynical individual will drop their glass jaw in awe of the graphics. While I still hold MGS2 dear in my heart, Splinter Cell comes close. It ditches the oddball storyline of it's cousin in favor of a more real-world situation. No super-terrorist vampires here, folks. However, this game is about stealth and that means one little This game will blow you away for sure! Even the most cynical individual will drop their glass jaw in awe of the graphics. While I still hold MGS2 dear in my heart, Splinter Cell comes close. It ditches the oddball storyline of it's cousin in favor of a more real-world situation. No super-terrorist vampires here, folks. However, this game is about stealth and that means one little screw up and it could mean starting from the last time you saved. But trust me, when you start your first mission ziplining into a burning building, just be sure not to stare too much. After all, you gotta play the game too. :)… Expand
  28. AlexS.
    Dec 26, 2002
    10
    THIS GAME ROCKS. Has the best graphics on any system.
  29. CannibalClown
    Dec 22, 2002
    10
    Halo and Splinter Cell r, hands down, the best games in the world.
  30. AnishK.
    Dec 15, 2002
    10
    Splinter Cell is by far the greatest game ever created. The graphics are absolutely stunning and the sound is spectacular. The game is incredibly imersive and the level design is better than anything else out there. This is what videogames are all about. In a word: FLAWLESS.
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Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Best Xbox Game of 2002
1
#1 Most Discussed Xbox Game of 2002
1
#1 Most Shared Xbox Game of 2002

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
93

Universal acclaim - based on 46 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 46 out of 46
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 46
  3. Negative: 0 out of 46
  1. Xequted
    84
    If ever there was a game to show off the Xbox, this is it.
    Read full review
  2. GameCritics
    75
    This is a very linear game, and... one can't but feel it's a wasted opportunity to limit the player's freedom in choosing how to approach a situation.
    Read full review
  3. GamePro
    100
    Realistic scenarios in realistic environments add to Splinter Cell’s tantalizing world of covert operations. With a strong overall package of incredible features, the stealth/action genre has a new hero.
    Read full review
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