I'm sure many of you gamers out there have played the original Splinter Cell. Many regard it as one of the best games of this generation - certainly its one of the best stealth/action games. It's remembered because it was had a gritty, realistic feel, and was very atmospheric. It utilised the use of darkness as cover, gave you a wide variety of gadgets and gizmos to use, and, of course, was obscenely difficult. I know many gamers who struggled to get past the first few levels of this game. But hey, you're not here to read about the first Splinter Cell, right? If you're reading this preview, you probably owned it anyway. The reason you're reading this is because you want to find out if the second one will be as good or (dare I say it) even better. Xbox owners are already sampling the sequel as you read, but as we GameCube owners still have a while yet before Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow reaches our console, with only MGS: TTS to keep stealth fans happy while they're waiting, you might as well find out in advance exactly why you should mark this game down on your 'must-buy' list.

 

First and foremost, we all know that Splinter Cell had excellent graphics, particularly the lighting. However, Pandora Tomorrow has far superior visuals, which are more realistic than most -if any - console games released thus far. While the graphics won't be up to the same standard as those on Microsoft's big black box, they will still have the 'wow' factor. Not only will the graphics be superb, but developers Ubi Soft Montreal have taken every excuse to show them off. Brilliant water, fire and steam effects, for example, become apparent in only the second level. Plus, many missions are set outdoors, which gives the developers plenty of opportunity to show off - and thankfully, it's an opportunity they haven't passed up.

 

As mentioned above, another reason Splinter Cell was so brilliant was the tense atmosphere it created. Pandora Tomorrow ups the ante even more, with some really exciting and tense levels - the most memorable of which has you climbing on top of - and underneath - a moving train.Also, the difficulty for the new game has also been upped - only by a little though, and if you played the first Splinter Cell you will probably whiz through this one.

[pagebreak]

Then we have the multiplayer mode. At the time of writing, the developers weren't sure whether the online mode will be coming to GameCube. Having played the online mode myself on the Xbox, I can assure you that if Ubi Soft decide to include the multiplayer mode on GC, the game is worth buying for that alone.

 

In multiplayer, one team of two play as spies, a la Sam Fisher, with all the moves available in the main game. Their job is to infiltrate buildings and disable virus armed ND133 storage containers, using an array of gadgets and a taser pistol, but no lethal weapons. The other team of two play as mercenaries, who are played in the first person view and armed with assault rifles. Their job is fairly simple - guard the ND133s and eliminate any and all intruders. The balance between third and first person works perfectly, with no particular advantage to being a spy or mercenary - for example, if you're a spy and know the building well enough, you can take advantage of the pipes and vents and sneak your way in without the mercenaries even knowing you're there. It's the first proper stealth multiplayer game, and is very innovative as well as great fun to play.

 

While there are less than ten missions in Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow on the Xbox (albeit hard ones), GameCube owners can rest assured that Ubi Soft will probably include extra levels for the Cube version, perhaps as an apology for the delay. How nice.

All in all, Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow will improve on everything that made the original great. And with a superb multiplayer mode too, you can be sure that this game is definitely not one to be missed. Welcome back, Mr. Fisher.