Splinter Cell Blacklist: 7.5/10
I was very skeptical about picking this title up. I didn't "dislike" Conviction, but I didn't enjoy the essential genre-shift from stealth to action with a bit of stealth.
To start, no Michael Ironside. No, I'm not taking points off for that but whenever Fisher sounds like he's angry now he sounds like he's trying to be Batman or he's Constipated. Ironside really defined the Splinter Cell character in both mood and tone, and that's something no one can ever really replace. Thankfully he talks so quietly that you don't really have to worry about it.
Graphics:
This is the best looking Splinter Cell to date, simple as that. They got rid of that crap monochrome-while-in-shadows effect so now the game really works well. Simple as that. There were very few areas where I went "Wow, that quality is crap." Not much else to really say there.
AI:
The AI have certainly been improved, they're much more fluid. However the appearance of Super AI is annoying. You know, the kind that see you outside a 90 degree angle of their vision, or the Super Dogs (UGH SUPER DOGS) that sniff you out from 30 feet away throw concrete walls and can open doors themselves. There have been moments where buggy AI, or non-responsive AI have really hampered the immersion. It's annoying when you throw a Sticky Noisemaker not five feet away from one and they're just "Herpaderpa gonna keep looking in your direction till you come out though I don't know you're there."
Gear/Weapons/Customization:
Wow. Just wow. Lots of customization here. And it appeals to however you wanna play, stealthy or aggressively, or both. My favorite tool to use is the Tri-Rotor, which is like a mini stealth UAV with STICKY SHOCKERS. I missed those things from Pre-Conviction time. My only problem with it is the buggy areas where the game tells you you're leaving the mission area, when you aren't close to that. There's some gear you just never use, like the Sticky Camera (if you get the Sonar Goggles early on), and if you go for just stealth you'll never use Frags or anything like that, but that means you can save that money. Yes, there's money, but you earn it with each mission and if you play good you get tons (I averaged about $150,000 each mission, not including side objectives.)
The only gripe I have is the DLC. No, just no. I hate having to look at things in the armory that I CAN have, and CAN look at, but CAN'T touch unless I put real money into it or use UPlay (which I won't.) Seriously, I'm gonna download a trainer or something so I can just unlock the rest
Story/Gameplay:
This is where it all matters. Story wise, it's actually pretty solid. I won't go into too much detail but simply put this is the first Splinter Cell game where I've felt that the enemy could actually get the best of me. This isn't just some crooked politician or anything like that. But I will say, there will be another Splinter Cell game for sure.
Gameplay wise, aside from anything I've already mentioned, this feels like a step in the right direction. They're slowly making their way back to the brilliance that was Chaos Theory, though there were too many missions where I felt they forced killing on me. There are missions that force stealth too, but those are, well, more fun. More rewarding, and less annoying. Getting caught in a stealth mission actually doesn't feel as bad because, well, you're supposed to be stealthy. But on those missions where your only option is being lethal, and you get caught sneaking around, you find yourself frustrated while hordes of enemies surround and kill you. You do not want to be caught in a large firefight, you will die, regardless. Yes you can increase bullet resistance (for the cost of losing stealth) but think of it more as just a way to buy some time while you escape to a vent.
The other problem is online. Such a huge focus for it. A lot of side missions can only be done using Co-op, which restricts you from 100% if you don't have a couch buddy or wanna deal with random strangers through matchmaking. I haven't touched the Co-op, or Mercs Vs Spies, But I really don't plan to. Splinter Cell has always been a Single Player game to me. The co-op seems fun, and maybe I'll try it when any of my friends are here, but none of them are really into the stealth-genre so it'll be a bit difficult to really have someone to be immersed with.
Overall it's a more solid Splinter Cell game than the last one was, I'm already getting ready to do my next playthrough on Realistic (which is supposed to feel more like a "classic Splinter Cell feel.) I'd definitely recommend it as a buy to people who have the money and want to keep with the series, but unless you have someone you can experience it with, wait for a price drop or Steam Sale.