2008's big games reviewed already!

Splinter Cell Conviction | Ubisoft Montreal
Xbox 360, PC

We reckon...
Splinter Cell Conviction is a total reinvention for the sneaky-sneaky series. The screens illustrate the game's open environments while the last trailer released shows off the mega-interactive environments and the everyday nature of Sam's surroundings. It's a bit grubby looking, though. But remember that this is early in-game action, and there'll be hefty graphical polishing before launch.

Ubisoft Montreal's goal of creating credibly 'reactive' environments ought to create gameplay that'll easily overcome any visual disappointments, though. Double Agent more than successfully subverted the series' traditions, showing Ubisoft could inject new ideas into a stale franchise. Sam Fisher's new Bourne-style approach will be a winner.

But will it sell?
Splinter Cell is a bankable brand, and we'll be shocked if Conviction is ignored by the game-grabbing public.

Knee-jerk verdict
The environment interactiony stuff looks great already, and we're excited at the idea of being a spy in a crowd of civilians, even if the game is visually a bit drab. 9/10

Note: Please remember that these these 'reviews' are merely lighthearted scores based on nothing but our own arrogant prejudice and opinonated ego. Duh. We will review the game fully when it is released.

Splinter Cell Conviction | Ubisoft Montreal
Xbox 360, PC

We reckon...
Splinter Cell Conviction is a total reinvention for the sneaky-sneaky series. The screens illustrate the game's open environments while the last trailer released shows off the mega-interactive environments and the everyday nature of Sam's surroundings. It's a bit grubby looking, though. But remember that this is early in-game action, and there'll be hefty graphical polishing before launch.

Ubisoft Montreal's goal of creating credibly 'reactive' environments ought to create gameplay that'll easily overcome any visual disappointments, though. Double Agent more than successfully subverted the series' traditions, showing Ubisoft could inject new ideas into a stale franchise. Sam Fisher's new Bourne-style approach will be a winner.

But will it sell?
Splinter Cell is a bankable brand, and we'll be shocked if Conviction is ignored by the game-grabbing public.

Knee-jerk verdict
The environment interactiony stuff looks great already, and we're excited at the idea of being a spy in a crowd of civilians, even if the game is visually a bit drab. 9/10

Note: Please remember that these these 'reviews' aremerely lighthearted scores based on nothing but our own arrogant prejudice and opinonated ego. Duh. We will review the game fully when it is released.

Ben Richardson is a former Staff Writer for Official PlayStation 2 magazine and a former Content Editor of GamesRadar+. In the years since Ben left GR, he has worked as a columnist, communications officer, charity coach, and podcast host – but we still look back to his news stories from time to time, they are a window into a different era of video games.