Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Pandora Tomorrow

by UBI Soft

Product Features

• Incredible real movement and control - you can even shift Sam's weight when preparing him for a split jump between two walls
• Exciting new moves maximize Sam's lethal fighting skills -- spin out of the shadows and kill silently
• All-new moves and levels - fight in jungles, on rooftops, on top of(and under) a moving train
• Advanced AI makes it harder than ever to get past enemies - if you reveal yourself they'll get reinforcements and put on armor
• Weapons now have secondary functions that can be equipped on the fly - be amazed at the advantage you get from the red dot of the laser sight

Product Details

• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B00012TIW8
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches ; 4.8 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: March 16, 2004
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (118 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,129 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Platform: Xbox

Game Informer Review

After only his first title, Sam Fisher became an instant video game superstar. The original Splinter Cell brought the stealth/action genre to the forefront of gaming and became the template for dozens of knockoffs. Well, those imitators are now going to have to work even harder, because Sam's second mission, Pandora Tomorrow, raises the stealth/action bar even higher.

In terms of gameplay mechanics, little has outright changed, but much has been improved. Sam now sports more precise aiming, a handful of additional moves, and a few new gadgets. The enemy AI has also been tweaked, as has the relentless difficulty level. The result is not a quantum leap in gameplay or graphics, just a smoother and more refined play experience. Pandora Tomorrow is a sequel in a more traditional movie sense: The basic setup and characters remain the same, but the story has changed.

As with the original, Pandora Tomorrow places a heavy emphasis on the plot. Without giving too much away, Sam is charged with tracking down a charismatic Indonesian terrorist with a sinister anti-American agenda. Like a Robert Ludlum thriller, the story is dark, intelligent, and mature. The dialogue is sharp and witty, and Sam is easily the most complex character in gaming. This is undoubtedly video game storytelling at its finest.

Sam's mission takes him to a variety of stunning locations. Over the course of the story, Sam must brave the jungles of Indonesia, pull himself along the bottom of a speeding train, climb an elevator shaft, and creep through the freezers of a cryogenics lab. Of course, he faces well-armed thugs everywhere he turns. It's these innovative action sequences that make the single-player quest so compelling.

While the story mode is brilliant in its own right, Pandora Tomorrow's real innovation comes in the form of its multiplayer mode. Cleverly tying into the main story, multiplayer pits teams of spies and mercenaries against each other. The spies play in third-person like Sam, while the mercs use the traditional first-person view. Using stealth as their main weapon, the spies (a.k.a. Shadow Nets) must sneak past the mercs to their objectives. This truly unique multiplayer mode features a fantastic control scheme for both teams, absolutely addictive gameplay, and graphics that are every bit as gorgeous as the single-player mode.

The original Splinter Cell is still one of the most visually impressive console games ever, and Pandora Tomorrow is even prettier. Character models have improved, and the famous shadows feel even deeper and richer, but it's the little details that really stand out. In one level, a passing subway train blows newspapers and trash around, while in another rain pours down around you in a full-fledged thunderstorm. It is these extra touches that make Sam Fisher's world seem like a living, breathing place. Several times during this game, I had to stop playing and drag a witness over to my desk to share the amazing sights unfolding on my screen. Other times I had to stop and praise the intelligent, surprising plot points. And others, I simply had to gloat about how many times I snapped Joe's neck in multiplayer. This, my friends, is a game that keeps on giving.

Concept:
The legendary agent returns with an all-new adventure and a groundbreaking online mode

Graphics:
The dark, realistic look and lifelike animations can only be described as "freakin' awesome"

Sound:
The voice work is great, but the score is a tad forgettable

Playability:
Whether you're playing as Sam, a Shadow Net agent, or a merc, control is spot-on and will make you feel like a total badass

Entertainment:
If you like stealth/action, you must, must play this game

Replay:
Moderate

Rated: 9.5 out of 10
Editor: Jeremy Zoss
Issue: May 2004

2nd Opinion:
Playing hide and seek has never been so cool. Raising the standards for stealth gaming for a second time, Ubisoft has forged a sequel that has the uncanny ability to knock your socks off through every second of play. Whether you find yourself mesmerized by the gorgeous lighting effects and massive amounts of particles that dance across the screen, sweating bullets within the taut action sequences, or compelled by the expertly penned story, Pandora Tomorrow is a gripping and unforgettable experience. The gameplay is much tighter, targeting is no longer questionable, and you're continually asked to use Sam's entire arsenal of moves. The online component is just as remarkable. Not only is it a departure from multiplayer as you know it, it has a clever tie to Pandora Tomorrow's story and adds serious replay to a game that you'd probably only play through once or twice.

Rated: 9.5 out of 10
Editor: Andrew Reiner


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Product Description

Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow takes players back to the shadowy world of Third Echcelon - a special spy unit using high-tech weapons and equipment in defense of their government. Special agent Sam Fisher is waging a one-man war against Indonesian terror networks. He'll travel to far-off corners of the world and try to figure out who can be trusted. This conspiracy-filled story will test your wits and your nerves, by throwing you into the world of international espionage. Unbelievable online gameplay -- you'll become a team of Third Echelon agents like Sam, competing against deadly mercenaries, in a series of multiplayer action/shooters!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Stealth Game EVER??, March 29, 2004

By 

Chris Peters (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Pandora Tomorrow (Video Game)

Now -this- is a game that can give Metal Gear Solid a run for its money. Both of Pandora Tomorrow's single or multiplayer modes are amazing by themselves, and taken together this game is one of the best -ever- in this generation, on any console. Stop reading and buy it!

SINGLE PLAYER:
The cutscenes are better than Rainbow Six 3, and the missions are SOOOO cool. Wait until you see Sam crawling under a train going 120 mph, or infiltrate a guerrilla camp in the jungle during broad daylight. There aren't any generic alleys like in the first game, ALL of the missions take place in exotic locations like Jerusalem or Indonesia. The plot has some cool twists that I won't give away, but they even managed to work the multiplayer mode into the plot. Graphics are such a huge improvement, the whole games looks like some high-budget James Bond movie. The production values are astronomical. Other observations:

-Controls are tigher, gadgets are easier to access when you need them.

-You actually have a use for Sam's cool acrobatic moves in this game.

-Plenty of ways to approach any situation. Nothing is linear, play the way you want.

-Lighting is more useful, you can visual tell what places will or won't hide you.

-A quick flash of the stealth meter tells you if a body is in a good hiding spot.

MULTIPLAYER:
One-of-a-Kind. Four players max. Spies vs. Mercenaries, each team has radically different strengths & weaknesses that play off each other very well. Mercs can use the inplace security systems and set their own traps, plus they are armed to the teeth, but they are blind compared to the spies; Spies hide in the ceilings and air ducts, places the mercs can't go, and have lots of diversion gear from the single player game, but they are physically weak. The emphasis is on stealth and outwitting your opponent, not action. There are lots of environmental details you can use to your advantage. Some other observations:

-Two-on-a-team makes for very close, intense teamwork. Best game to make friends with.

-Spies play in 3rd-person, Mercs in 1st person. It's not a gimmick, it's an inspiration, and it works perfectly.

-Huge maps give you that scary "somethings out there" feeling, a la "Predator"

-Lots of variety on each map because they are so large and complex.

-You need 1 game/Xbox/TV per player. No split screen.

46 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Play it again Sam - Splinter Cell how it should have been, March 1, 2004

By 

gerard (UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Pandora Tomorrow (Video Game)

Lets face it the first Splinter cell was a third person romp that proved to be the best stealth game in its genre. When i got the first game i played it non stop and before long it was over. For some reason i've never went back to it. It hasn't drawn me in again like it did the first time. When i heard about SC:PT i had mixed views - expecting without doubt a MGS type sequel, (very dissapointing in other words), although the more i found out about it the more i was impressed. Firstly theres the new abilities such as moving side to side while doing the splits - and jumping(higher) from the splits position. This was one of the coolest things about the first game but did'nt really have very much potential as the levels were not constructed with this in mind. However in PT the levels are a lot more diverse, meaning you may be able to use this to get to a higher vantage point over the enemy such as a ledge (about two stories high), giving you a more non-linear path. Another cool move is hanging from pipes. You can do this in the original splinter cell. But now you can let go with your hands and be hanging upside down meaning you can target enemies better. The new weapons include booby traps such as trip wires which you can employ to lose that annoying guard! Theres also motion sensors and a few new grenades. While the singleplayer will be great, there will also be multiplayer which will be an extra appeal for anyone not wanting to spend their hard earned cash. In MP you can control either the spies or the guards, there are three types of game mode - For the spies it usually involves retrieving or destroying certain objects and obviously the guards job is to stop them. Basically the spies are the same Sam Fisher you play in the game, whereas the guards are all-new playable characters (in MP only)in the game and use a first person view. Spies can have (like Sam) night and thermal vision - whereas the guards have electronic tracking vision (meaning they can track electronic devices - used by spies) and motion tracking vision - meaning they can track any movement in air turbulence - you have to see it to believe it, The Movement tracking vision uses a red screen - similar to the (bad) Thermal vision in MGS. Suddenly a small square can be seen on the screen focusing onto an object (ala Terminator). Inside the square theres the normal colour. The squares getting bigger and bigger and then the figure takes shape and you realise its a spy darting towards you at speed of light. Its all so smooth and extremly satisfying to watch.The Multiplayer aspect should be enough to keep Live players up until the early hours and warrant buying the Xbox version as the Ps2 version isn't due to July and will look like a Nes compared to the Xbox lighting and effects - as well as draw distance - anyhow, if you like the first game and crave somemore, or are looking for a stealth/action game - keep your eyes peeled for this. This is the definitive stealth game for any system and no xbox owner can go without it.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Devil's Advocate: Something for the fans, April 7, 2004

By 

Scott Walldren - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Pandora Tomorrow (Video Game)

Sam Fisher is back in the suspenseful sequel Pandora Tomorrow. Improved maneuverability and options are only slightly marred by the modification of the original game engine. Overall, I'm rating this one 3.75 stars. If you enjoyed the original, odds are you will love this game (as I do), but with some qualms. I played it on Normal difficulty, and beat it within about 12 hours (total) playing time.

As another reviewer previously noted, the departure of the Montreal team detracts from the originality and continuity of the original Splinter Cell. The story arc is fairly broad and impressive in its scope, yet does not connect together as well as the original. There are a few grammatical errors in the HUD display--which leads me to believe this game was somewhat rushed into the pressing stage. Also, the sense of immediacy is lost except for the final mission in LAX--which is one of the most intense levels of any game I have ever played.

New maneuvers include the Swat turn, which allows Sam to deftly and silently maneuver between doorways and windows without being detected. This is an amazing feature that helps you on more than one occassion. The jump/split is back with a slight modification for narrower spaces. All in all, the stealth system has been improved quite well. However, you lose the option of switching your rifle into single-shot mode when you're not sniping, this annoyed me.

Michael Ironside is back as Sam, and overall the voice talent is pretty darn good. Sound effects are excellent. A few places feel as if the actors were working with lackluster copy and making up for the writer's mistakes.

The shadow engine has been improved and the interactive environments are well rendered. The game looks just as beautiful as the original and the variety of environments are splendid.

With all this praise, what didn't I like about the game? That I beat it in less than 20 hours of play time on "Normal". Also, I did not like how "generic" the opponents of this game were. It would have been nice if they had integrated more of a natural cultural environment in with the different locales. Like a reviewer before me, I believe this lack of originality and inventiveness comes from leaving the Montreal team out of the project. Save points are fairly well constructed, with a few exceptions, where if you blow it...you will have to go back and re-do lots of menial tasks that take a lot of play time to accomplish. Also, the cinematics (while beautifully rendered) get to be a little buggy with the 'in between missions' screens. When I beat the game, the credits rolled, then the mission summary came up AFTER this. Maybe I'm missing something, but this was an example of how disjointed/jarring it can be.

As I do not have Xbox Live, I will not review the multiplayer aspect. I tried the training version, and it seemed OK...a bit like counter-strike/unreal tournament.

So, in summary, if you enjoyed the first Splinter Cell, you will probably like or love this one. However, it does play like a hybrid of Metal Gear and Splinter Cell--which isn't always a bad thing. I hope for the next version they bring back the Montreal team. Still, I recommend you try this one out. Enjoy, gamers!

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