Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Conviction

Even if you have your doubts, I’d recommend picking up a copy anyway as Conviction has a lot to offer

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In Splinter Cell: Conviction, former agent Sam Fisher investigates his daughter's death, uncovering a conspiracy within a corrupt government. He uses innovative sneaking techniques, Mark & Execute gameplay, and interrogation tools to eliminate enemies silently. The game features a gripping storyline, enhanced multiplayer modes, and a new cooperative campaign.

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Reviews

63%

Audience ScoreBased on 4,318 reviews

story474 positive mentions

optimization66 negative mentions

The game features a compelling story that explores Sam Fisher's personal journey and motivations.
The gameplay mechanics, including the 'Mark and Execute' system, provide a fun and engaging experience.
The graphics and presentation have aged well, maintaining a stylish aesthetic even years after release.

The game has significant technical issues on modern systems, including poor optimization and controller support.
Stealth mechanics are heavily diminished, making it feel more like a cover shooter than a traditional Splinter Cell game.
The multiplayer and DLC content are no longer accessible due to server shutdowns, limiting the game's replayability.

story
1,472 mentions
32 % positive mentions
61 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The story of "Splinter Cell: Conviction" is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating its personal and darker narrative focusing on Sam Fisher's quest for revenge, particularly regarding his daughter's fate. However, the campaign is criticized for being short, often clocking in at around 5-8 hours, and for its linear, action-oriented approach that diverges from the franchise's traditional stealth mechanics. While some find the storytelling engaging and cinematic, others deem it clichéd and lacking depth, leading to polarized opinions on its overall effectiveness within the series.
- “Best story out of the franchise.”
- “The story is amazing!”
- “The story is dark and sometimes depressing, and it's crazy how much the atmosphere changed when compared to Chaos Theory or Double Agent.”
- “The story is dumb as hell and it never picks off.”
- “The story itself is painfully generic with a lot of plot points that were never covered or plot holes that make zero sense.”
- “The story is incoherent but still somehow manages to entirely ruin the character of Sam Fisher.”
gameplay
937 mentions
29 % positive mentions
63 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Splinter Cell: Conviction" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting a significant departure from the series' traditional stealth mechanics in favor of a more action-oriented approach. While some appreciate the introduction of features like the "mark and execute" system and the fluid cover mechanics, others criticize the game for its linearity and lack of depth in stealth options, leading to a more straightforward shooting experience. Overall, the gameplay is described as fun and engaging, but it may disappoint long-time fans expecting the intricate stealth gameplay of earlier titles.
- “I love this game, the story is entertaining and gameplay is really smooth and fun.”
- “The gameplay and mechanics are solid, and everything feels cohesive.”
- “The new mechanics, such as mark and execute, are really fun additions to the pseudo-stealth gameplay.”
- “While the gameplay flow is certainly improved, the utter lack of stealth mechanics is a big disappointment and the way the player is micro-managed through the objectives is so condescending, it's boring.”
- “The series' iconic stealth mechanics are tossed away for headshots from the shadows and scripted kill animations, and the mission design never quite plays to the strengths of the new mechanics.”
- “This game feels very different from the first three Splinter Cell games and is a huge step down in terms of gameplay.”
graphics
400 mentions
42 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have generally received positive feedback, with many users noting that they have aged well since its release in 2010, showcasing impressive visuals and attention to detail. However, some players have experienced technical issues, such as compatibility problems with modern graphics cards and performance drops, particularly on the PC version. Overall, while the graphics are often praised for their quality and aesthetic appeal, there are concerns about optimization and the game's ability to run smoothly on newer hardware.
- “The graphics hold up well, the characters are interesting, the story is awesome and has you caring the entire time and wanting more which I know there is with Blacklist and I can't wait to play it.”
- “The game has stunning graphics, sound effects, and voice acting that bring the game to life.”
- “The graphics are astounding, down to the fluid animations and vivid locations that are alive with incredible lighting, vast with plenty of vantage points, and filled with incredibly intelligent NPCs that will flank you every chance they get.”
- “However, the PC version is poorly ported; don't waste your time unless you can stand low frame rates, laggy controls, and subpar graphics.”
- “The graphics are patchy and easy to see through, acceptable at the time the game was released, but feeble in comparison to what we have nowadays.”
- “After finally getting it started, the FPS was constantly dipping low and ruining the experience no matter what graphics settings I tried.”
optimization
150 mentions
21 % positive mentions
35 % neutral mentions
44 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has been widely criticized, with many players reporting severe performance issues such as stuttering, frame rate drops, and overall poor compatibility with modern hardware. Despite some users experiencing smoother gameplay on high-end systems, the general consensus is that the game is poorly optimized, making it nearly unplayable for many. Overall, the lack of proper optimization detracts significantly from the gaming experience, overshadowing its narrative and character performances.
- “From a technical standpoint, the animations and mechanics are good, performance was never an issue, the music is pretty well done, and the controls can be a bit dodgy with one key/button doing multiple things.”
- “Needs better optimization; overall one of the best games in the series in my opinion.”
- “Good gameplay and nice optimization.”
- “This game is unoptimized to the point of being unplayable, as most of the framerate dips hit their extremes in the heat of the moment.”
- “The game is not optimized at all, making it nearly unplayable.”
- “Runs like shit/choppy poor performance on newer hardware/windows OS win7, 8, 8.1, & 10.”
music
94 mentions
45 % positive mentions
52 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising the soundtrack as excellent and fitting for an action movie, while others find it generic and forgettable. Some standout tracks, particularly the main menu theme, are highlighted, but there are also criticisms regarding the inconsistency of the music's impact throughout the game. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a strong element that enhances the game's atmosphere, despite some players feeling it doesn't quite match the high standards set by previous entries in the series.
- “The soundtrack is absolutely brilliant.”
- “Conviction has some of the best music I've ever heard in a video game.”
- “The music matches all the scenes and Ironside's performance is incredible.”
- “I don't remember any music, and that's sad because music in SC has always been something I enjoyed a lot.”
- “The soundtrack is so generic and forgettable; you could have me listen to a track right after playing it, and I wouldn't know.”
- “The music is bad, a first for the series.”
stability
67 mentions
6 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
94 % negative mentions
The game's stability is heavily criticized, with numerous reports of crashes, freezes, and various bugs that significantly hinder gameplay. Many users experience frequent interruptions, such as freezing during specific actions and compatibility issues, particularly with controller support. While some players report it runs well on high-end systems, the overall consensus is that the game is plagued by persistent technical problems that detract from the experience.
- “Runs great on Windows 10 at 100+ fps.”
- “Runs great on my RTX 4090.”
- “The game is broken and buggy.”
- “There's not a single problem this game doesn't have on PC, and most of your time will be troubleshooting problems that cannot be fixed.”
- “Oh, and by the way, even if you do get it running, there's a literal game-breaking bug in this game that freezes your game for 20-30 seconds every time you go into a fish-eye effect.”
replayability
55 mentions
45 % positive mentions
49 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the various difficulty levels and co-op modes, others find the lethal gameplay limits and checkpoint issues detract from the experience. Modes like "deniable ops" offer significant replay value, especially when played with friends, but the overall length and repetitive enemy encounters can diminish long-term engagement. Ultimately, the game provides enough content for multiple playthroughs, particularly for those who enjoy its mechanics and challenges.
- “The game is not very long, but it is replayable and offers different difficulty levels and challenges.”
- “The slick controls combined with the highly replayable deniable ops make it a game I keep coming back to.”
- “The game adds a lot of replayability with the deniable ops missions, which can be tackled alone or with a friend.”
- “With only allowing lethal gameplay, there is basically no replayability and no reasons to go back and try to beat a previous score.”
- “So I'd say there's some replay value to the game, but it's mostly dead and I don't recommend you buying it unless you are buying it because of the story/gameplay and multiplayer if you have a friend!”
- “Very good but lacks replayability.”
humor
45 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players finding the AI and enemy dialogue genuinely funny, while others feel that the humor has diminished compared to earlier installments. Although there are moments of humor, such as Sam Fisher's one-liners and the reactions of guards, many reviewers note that the overall comedic elements feel less impactful and often fall flat after the initial missions. The game does retain some humorous aspects, but it lacks the depth and consistency that fans have come to expect.
- “The things enemies say are downright hilarious and are still really cool and authentic considering the game is more than a decade old.”
- “Speaking of guards, the guards in this game say things that had me laughing out loud, the threats they call out to Fisher, whom they know is hiding in the shadows but can't locate him.”
- “The funny thing is Sam really enjoys killing everyone in this game since he can't stop doing one-liners like 'I'm da best.'”
atmosphere
25 mentions
48 % positive mentions
40 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is described as dark, immersive, and well-crafted, with strong aesthetic and sound design that enhances the overall experience. While some players feel the game has shifted towards a more linear and cinematic approach, sacrificing the slower, cerebral pacing of earlier titles, many still appreciate its atmospheric qualities and the emotional weight of its story. Overall, the game successfully creates a unique and engaging atmosphere that resonates with players, despite some criticisms regarding its gameplay structure.
- “The aesthetic and sound design of this game are insanely cool and well designed; there's a dark atmosphere to it.”
- “I love 'Chaos Theory' for the stealthiness, but I love this game for the dark atmosphere.”
- “Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Conviction is quite atmospheric and challenging, but still casual and enjoyable to play.”
- “The story is dark and sometimes depressing, and it's crazy how much the atmosphere changed when compared to Chaos Theory or Double Agent.”
- “I love Chaos Theory for the stealthiness, but I love this game for the dark atmosphere.”
- “Visual design matches with the theme and atmosphere.”
emotional
21 mentions
81 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
19 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game elicits mixed reactions from players, with some expressing a deep connection to the character of Sam Fisher, describing it as an emotional rollercoaster. However, many others criticize the game's story as boring and unengaging, feeling disappointed by the series' decline and the prioritization of graphics over narrative depth. Overall, while some moments resonate emotionally, they are often overshadowed by a lackluster storyline and uninspired dialogue.
- “It was an emotional rollercoaster for me.”
- “This is the only Splinter Cell that made me feel connected to Sam Fisher.”
- “I have never been so emotionally connected to a character in a shooter game before.”
- “I enjoyed this game back in 2010, but now a decade later it's just your average Jack Bauer cover shooter power fantasy with a boring story and outdated controls.”
- “Insanely boring story.”
grinding
16 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Reviews highlight that the grinding aspect of the game is characterized by tedious mission objectives and repetitive gameplay, particularly in stealth and combat scenarios. Many players find the experience frustrating and lacking in excitement, with some noting that it requires significant time investment to progress. While the game remains playable, the overall sentiment leans towards it being a monotonous grind that detracts from enjoyment.
- “It is frustrating, boring, tedious, with gameplay done better in countless other games.”
- “First Splinter Cell I couldn't complete as I had enough of tedious cover-based shootouts.”
- “I enjoy the stealth part of the games, but being in stealth mode all of the time got tedious for me.”
character development
6 mentions
67 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Reviewers consistently praise the character development in the game, highlighting it as a standout feature with a perfect score of 10/10. Additionally, they appreciate the decent customization options and character design, which enhance the overall experience.
- “Nice plot, good character development.”
- “Character development: 10/10.”
- “Decent customization and character design.”
monetization
5 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy for the game has drawn significant criticism, particularly for selling a product that relies on server access which has been shut down, rendering advertised features like co-op play and DLC inaccessible without resorting to piracy or alternative methods. Users feel misled by the marketing that promotes deluxe edition items and online functionalities that are no longer available, highlighting a disconnect between the product's promises and its actual state.
- “So let me get this straight, purposely selling a product that Ubisoft broke themselves by killing the servers and still advertising it to include the deluxe edition items and the DLC you offer still has co-op mentioned in the description, both require access to servers which are shut down. The solution to access the DLC is to pirate it or buy it on Uplay, and playing co-op requires some P2P program.”
- “The monetization strategy feels exploitative, especially when essential features are locked behind paywalls or unavailable due to server shutdowns.”
- “It's frustrating to see a game that relies heavily on online features being sold without any clear communication about the server issues and the impact on gameplay.”