Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Blacklist

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In Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Blacklist, stealth-action takes center stage as you hunt down terrorists threatening the United States. As agent Sam Fisher, you'll use a variety of weapons, gadgets, and stealth techniques to complete missions and defeat enemies. The game features a dynamic "Blacklist" system, where the stakes get higher as terrorist attacks increase in frequency, demanding quick and strategic thinking.

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Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Blacklist screenshot

+12

76%

Audience ScoreBased on 8,245 reviews

story976 positive mentions

stability170 negative mentions

Engaging stealth gameplay with multiple playstyles (Ghost, Panther, Assault) that allows for varied approaches to missions.
Strong graphics and level design that hold up well even years after release, providing an immersive experience.
Interesting story and character development, with a good mix of action and stealth elements.

Frequent crashes every 20-30 minutes, making the game frustrating to play and requiring workarounds to mitigate the issue.
Removal of online features and multiplayer modes, limiting the game's replayability and access to certain missions.
Ubisoft's reliance on the Ubisoft Connect launcher, which often requires repeated logins and can hinder the gaming experience.

story
3,594 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
68%
5%
The story of "Splinter Cell: Blacklist" is generally viewed as engaging yet somewhat predictable, following a typical Tom Clancy narrative involving a terrorist group threatening the U.S. The game features a variety of missions that allow players to approach objectives in multiple ways, enhancing replayability, but some players feel the plot lacks depth and originality compared to earlier entries in the series. While the character dynamics and dialogue add some interest, the absence of the original voice actor for Sam Fisher has disappointed many fans, impacting the overall immersion of the story.
- “The story is gripping and keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.”
- “The story is interesting enough and the customization aspect allows for more custom load-outs and mods to match how you like to play.”
- “The campaign missions offer a lot of variety in set-pieces and environments, every one feels pretty unique, with not that much filler at all.”
- “The story is horrid.”
- “The story is not great; Sam Fisher is kind of an asshole, and they replaced his iconic voice actor, so I just pretend it's a different guy.”
- “The major flaw of Blacklist was its astronomical budget for such a niche title that sank the franchise trying to chase the Call of Duty crowd, and the fact that the story does not make a lot of sense and resolves nothing.”
gameplay
1,552 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
51%
6%
The gameplay of "Splinter Cell: Blacklist" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its blend of classic stealth mechanics and modern action elements. Players appreciate the flexibility in playstyles—allowing for stealth, lethal, or aggressive approaches—alongside the introduction of new gadgets and mechanics like the "mark and execute" system. However, technical issues such as frequent crashes and clunky controls have marred the experience for some, leading to frustration despite the overall enjoyment of the gameplay.
- “The gameplay feels great, with lots of variety in how you prepare and execute each mission.”
- “Whether you're silently sneaking up behind enemies for a stealth takedown, or going full tactical assault, Blacklist offers flexible gameplay that’s as tense as it is satisfying.”
- “The gameplay is incredibly immersive, with a perfect blend of action and stealth mechanics.”
- “One of the worst games I have ever played in my life, the controls, the gameplay, nothing works.”
- “The gameplay is clunky and it feels like there isn't much control over Sam.”
- “The gameplay lacks fun and the story is so boring that I decided to quit in the middle.”
graphics
607 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
40%
4%
The graphics of the game have received generally positive feedback, with many players noting that they still hold up well for a title released in 2013. The visuals are often described as stunning, with impressive lighting and detailed environments, although some users mention occasional graphical glitches and bugs. Overall, while the graphics may show signs of aging compared to modern titles, they are still considered excellent for their time and contribute significantly to the game's immersive experience.
- “The game brings back classic elements from titles like Chaos Theory, enhanced with modern graphics and improved mechanics.”
- “You can tell that all the money that went into this game was well spent as the graphics and the way scenes are edited and directed are top notch.”
- “The graphics and sound were great, it seemed very complex with load-outs and ship improvements, and I feel the AI was better than most.”
- “But the unexpected crashes to desktop which can be fixed, but shocking that they've never been patched, the graphic bugs during cutscenes, where character models are just missing, and the fact that I had to watch the ending cutscene on YouTube because the loading screen was stuck while the sound was running are the kinds of things that prove this is an undeniable Ubisoft product.”
- “Graphics are meh for current standards, and the story isn't great either, but the gameplay is fun, which is what it's all about.”
- “The graphics look worse than the previous entry.”
stability
182 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
1%
93%
The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous players reporting frequent crashes, glitches, and bugs that significantly impact gameplay. While some users note that the game can be enjoyable despite these issues, many express frustration over the lack of effective fixes and the overall unplayable state on certain systems. Overall, the consensus is that the game is plagued by stability problems, making it a challenging experience for players.
- “Great game, runs great on Steam Deck, graphics are amazing, even for 2024's standards.”
- “The gameplay is nice and smooth with little to no glitches.”
- “It looks great, it runs great, and it plays great.”
- “Despite trying multiple troubleshooting steps, such as reinstalling, updating drivers, and even adjusting system settings, the game remains unplayable.”
- “The game is so buggy it makes a Bethesda game look polished; it's so janky it feels like you're controlling a plate of drunk jello, not a special forces operative.”
- “The game was so buggy that it was in an unplayable state.”
replayability
157 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
52%
6%
The game boasts high replayability, primarily due to its three distinct playstyles (ghost, panther, assault) and a variety of challenges that encourage players to approach missions differently. Co-op and multiplayer modes further enhance replay value, although some players noted a lack of innovation in these areas compared to previous titles. Overall, the combination of mission design, scoring systems, and customization options provides ample opportunities for players to revisit and enjoy the game multiple times.
- “The game offers lots of replay value and a number of missions that provide satisfactory stealth opportunities.”
- “Overall, this is a great game and has high replayability due to the different approaches you can take in every mission.”
- “The new playstyle scoring system (ghost, panther, and assault) offers a lot of replay value to the various missions.”
- “Don't buy if you like replayability.”
- “Meh - unclear motive, vague plot, uncertain replay value.”
- “Very straightforward game, stealth mechanics are fun and the story is decent, but the game is very linear and has little replay value.”
optimization
121 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
45%
17%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including crashes, stuttering, and poor compatibility with newer hardware and operating systems. While some users noted that the game runs well on lower-spec PCs and praised its graphics, others experienced severe lag and required adjustments to settings for smoother gameplay. Overall, the consensus indicates that the game is poorly optimized, particularly for high-end systems, despite some players managing to achieve decent performance with specific tweaks.
- “Good optimization for low-spec PCs.”
- “The optimization is extremely good too.”
- “The game is also well-optimized (better than Conviction), and I can run it on hardware that's dated by a few years.”
- “Online features don't work, crashes here and there, problems with the optimization on new Windows operating systems and GPUs, add all of these up and put on top of that the terrible launcher that the company made and you're probably going to be better off playing anything else.”
- “Frequent crashes, optimization isn't great (20 fps drops with a GTX 1070).”
- “Lastly, the optimization of this game is completely way off for lower-end computers where I was playing at about 5 fps on the lowest settings without modding it further down.”
music
92 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
47%
9%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising the soundtrack as excellent and fitting for the gameplay, while others find it lackluster and forgettable compared to previous entries in the series. Many players appreciate the atmospheric qualities of the music, though some criticize it for being too electronic or not memorable enough. Overall, while the soundtrack enhances the experience for some, it fails to leave a lasting impression on others, particularly when compared to earlier titles like "Chaos Theory."
- “The music is excellent.”
- “Great gameplay, best Splinter Cell game to date; the music score is perfect as well.”
- “The soundtrack combined with the strategic gameplay will let the player enjoy the challenge he will face mission after mission.”
- “The soundtrack is weak.”
- “The music didn't catch my ear, it's rather pale and doesn't really stand out as much as it could have.”
- “The decent orchestral soundtrack of Splinter Cell: Conviction has been replaced by some bland electronic bass dross - all noise and no soul.”
humor
79 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
97%
3%
The humor in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players lamenting the absence of the dark, sarcastic wit that characterized earlier entries, particularly due to the change in voice actor for Sam Fisher. While some found moments of humor in glitches and character interactions, the overall tone is described as more serious and lacking the engaging banter and comedic elements that fans cherished. The new characters occasionally provide comic relief, but many feel that the game's humor falls flat compared to its predecessors.
- “One hilarious bug in which Sam jumps out of a subway and stylishly walks out of the level.”
- “This game is really fun, and fucking hilarious if you're with a friend.”
- “Sometimes, the most serious gamers will find themselves laughing with their friends as the most random and hilarious events occur.”
- “The writing is just abysmal; it feels like a cross between a tropey action movie and an unfunny sitcom.”
- “Not a lot of jokes in the game, but I appreciate when the few that do appear show up at the right time and place. It's better than having unfunny jokes every minute.”
grinding
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
16%
81%
Reviews indicate that grinding in the game can be a mixed experience; while some players find it tedious and time-consuming, others appreciate the optional nature of grinding for upgrades and gear. Many note that the grinding can feel excessive, particularly towards the end of the game, but some also mention that it can be rewarding and is often necessary to fully enjoy the game's content. Overall, the grinding aspect is seen as a significant but polarizing element of the gameplay experience.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The upgrade system is grindy garbage and the story is entirely stupid.”
- “All the grinding to unlock gear is now a big waste of my time.”
atmosphere
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
44%
8%
The atmosphere in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising its intense, immersive qualities and effective sound design that heightens tension, while others feel it lacks the dark, gritty ambiance of earlier titles in the series. Many players appreciate the level design and environmental storytelling, which contribute to a compelling atmosphere, though some criticize the absence of key elements that defined the original games. Overall, while the game has strong atmospheric components, it does not fully recapture the essence of its predecessors.
- “The atmosphere, the gameplay, it's all there.”
- “Game atmosphere is achieved really well, with the game's audio dropping in loud ambient sounds and changing style based on guard proximity, it's really efficient at raising the tension involved in how close you are to being discovered.”
- “A masterpiece of the Splinter Cell series, an enticing storyline, realistic atmosphere and intense detail are a few attributes to this excellent game.”
- “The only thing I could maybe say is to lean more towards the environment design language, dark atmosphere, and slower pace of the original trilogy.”
- “Lack of Ironside, horrible forgettable music, painfully unappealing level design, horrible casting choice for Sam (20-year-old sounding kid) and overall the game just lacks the ambience and atmosphere that was present in all other SC titles.”
- “It doesn't have the same polish, the same sleekness, or the same atmosphere... hell, it doesn't have the same soul.”
emotional
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
89%
11%
The emotional aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players feeling a lack of depth in character emotions and storytelling, leading to a less engaging experience. While the freedom to approach missions stealthily without confrontation is praised, many miss the intense emotional connection and character development found in previous installments. Overall, the game offers moments of empowerment and creativity, but fails to evoke strong emotional responses due to its flat narrative and character portrayals.
- “The story seriously made me feel like I was stopping something big, like I was the main character.”
- “Some levels you can pass completely without interfering with anyone at all, which made me quite happy, and made me feel I got my money's worth.”
- “This game made me feel like a complete badass!!!”
- “Boring story; it could be because of the characters. I couldn't make myself finish the game. This is the first Splinter Cell I have not completed.”
- “I highly recommend buying this game, but only if you can get past playing through a predictably boring story.”
character development
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
45%
27%
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players feeling that it falls short of expectations and lacks depth, often comparing it to a shallow action movie. While some appreciate the character designs and humor, others note that the focus on gameplay detracts from meaningful character growth, leading to a sense of forced or minimal development. Overall, the consensus suggests that while the game excels in other areas, character development is not its strong suit.
- “I like the character development a lot.”
- “From the environments to the character designs, it's really quite well done.”
- “The co-op missions and character development, along with well-thought-out humor and plot, make this one to remember and talk about for ages.”
- “Character development should have been the main focus, yet expectations are not fully met.”
- “It's like a dumb action movie, so don't expect deep story or character development or anything.”
- “Not much character development for Sam and the gang.”
monetization
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
78%
Reviews indicate a strong dissatisfaction with the monetization practices of the game, particularly criticizing the prevalence of microtransactions and intrusive advertisements, which detract from the overall experience. Players feel that the focus on revenue generation has overshadowed the quality and originality of the games, leading to a perception of cash grabs rather than genuine content. Many long for a return to a time when games were less burdened by these monetization strategies.
- “It is nice to come back to a world where microtransactions are not a thing.”
- “Gameplay was smooth, though co-op kind of breaks the in-game purchases.”
- “They simply hate their customers: buying a game from them isn't enough because they have to collect our email and our data and show us their ads.”
- “The studio's once-bright reputation has been clouded by the emergence of contentious microtransactions, a perceived lack of originality in certain games, and internal problems that have an impact on workplace culture.”
- “It now opens up an advertisement when you exit the game... why Ubisoft?”