6. Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow
Ubisoft Montreal | Ubisoft | 2004
While you may not remember which Sam Fisher espionage adventure is which, Pandora Tomorrow's split-personality multiplayer continues to be unforgettable to this day
What made it so great?
We saw no shortage of Splinter Cell games on Xbox, but the standout of the group is definitely this third entry. Pandora Tomorrow's single player campaign is yet another masterpiece in stealth and tension, with exotically detailed locales, top-notch celebrity voice acting and fluidly animated new moves like army spins and upside down shooting. But, really, it's just more of the excellent same.
What distinguishes Pandora is its completely unique and utterly addictive multiplayer. The two-on-two versus mode enables you to sneak and shimmy through matches as a Sam Fisher-like spy, with agility and shadow as your most powerful weapons. Or, be a mercenary and rely on more traditional weaponry - assault rifles, grenades, trip mines - to blast holes in those pesky black ninja suits. The two options are both addictive as hell, and so different that one plays in third person view and the other in first person.
6. Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow
Ubisoft Montreal | Ubisoft | 2004
While you may not remember which Sam Fisher espionage adventure is which, Pandora Tomorrow's split-personality multiplayer continues to be unforgettable to this day
What made it so great?
We saw no shortage of Splinter Cell games on Xbox, but the standout of the group is definitely this third entry. Pandora Tomorrow's single player campaign is yet another masterpiece in stealth and tension, with exotically detailed locales, top-notch celebrity voice acting and fluidly animated new moves like army spins and upside down shooting. But, really, it's just more of the excellent same.
What distinguishes Pandora is its completely unique and utterly addictive multiplayer. The two-on-two versus mode enables you to sneak and shimmy through matches as a Sam Fisher-like spy, with agility and shadow as your most powerful weapons. Or, be a mercenary and rely on more traditional weaponry - assault rifles, grenades, trip mines - to blast holes in those pesky black ninja suits. The two options are both addictive as hell, and so different that one plays in third person view and the other in first person.
Get ready to play
The best part of the series' best multiplayer is its use of Xbox Live voice communication. If a spy catches your mercenary, prepare to be seriously unsettled when he whispers some final words into your ears before snapping your virtual neck. And since eavesdropping is also possible, the hardcore players speak only in code.
Been there, done that?
Go back and try the original Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell. With fewer save points and a less forgiving alarm system, you may be surprised at how much it challenges you.
Get ready to play
The best part of the series' best multiplayer is its use of Xbox Live voice communication. If a spy catches your mercenary, prepare to be seriously unsettled when he whispers some final words into your ears before snapping your virtual neck. And since eavesdropping is also possible, the hardcore players speak only in code.
Been there, done that?
Go back and try the original Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell. With fewer save points and a less forgiving alarm system, you may be surprised at how much it challenges you.
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