Well, there's only a few games recently that catch my whole-minded attention in terms of pure awesomeness and kicking butt gameplay...such in a way that after finishing the game I am left mind-blown and asking for more even after a moderately lengthy campaign. One of those games happen to be the latest iteration of the Splinter Cell series, perfectly named CONVICTION.
Though I have played only demos of the previous games, I knew why some people enjoyed the originals even though they were slow paced and jarringly difficult. Conviction is no major departure besides the fact that being detected doesn't mean instant game over. Personally this is currently the best Splinter Cell yet, with an amazing story and presentation like something straight from a blockbuster movie. Even though the game stresses patience and perfectly lined shots known in stealth games, the amount of enemies and action-packed cut-scenes never makes the game for a second feel dull. Sam Fisher is the ultimate agent, and the game shows you why.
Probably one of the coolest features of the game is the use of keeping you in the shadows and using silenced weapons to avoid detection, that and using CQC to acquire "Mark and Execute" points to be used to instantly kill multiple targets without much hassle. While the game isn't perfect in this regard, it still feels ALMOST perfect.
Nonetheless, due to the extreme espionage take, even Rookie mode is quite challenging if you don't know the right tactics or strategies of clearing an area.
Aiming, shooting, and movement have almost no issues in this game, to the point where if you know how to play a shooter you'll be dropping enemies with ease and be able to hide or get to cover with minimal frustration. Due to this I didn't find the game all that frustrating since dying was few and far between with the checkpoint system barely making you restart much of the level.
DENIABLE OPS: Deniable Ops is pretty much the co-op modes played with a single player save the Story mode, you can either play as the Third Echelon agent "ARCHER" or the Voron agent "KESTREL". Your job depends on the modes "HUNTER", "LAST STAND", or "INFILTRATION". Hunter is go through a whole map while taking out baddies, being spotted isn't game over but you do have to fight more people per zone. Last Stand is your typical "Horde" mode of keeping the supposed EMP generator safe while trying to fight waves of enemies. Infiltration seems to be the same as hunter but you can't be detected at all or game over.
This game mode is quite fun but you do not have the option of a partner, thus in my opinion making these modes only half as interesting as they are meant to be. It's still fun to take-down targets while trying to remain stealthy though.
CO-OP: While packing the same modes as Deniable Ops, there is one thing that really shines, the "Co-op Story". This is not your ordinary tacked-on mode with a few cut-scenes slapped on; the story present in this kicking-butt with a partner-fest actually sets as a prequel to the scenes geared in the Single Player/Story Mode. As mentioned before you AND a teammate are put into the boots of both Archer and Kestrel, given the job of taking out baddies stealthily with both scenes where you can or cannot be detected.
I found this mode in some ways more enjoyable than the story due to having pretty much "twice the fun" doing spy work. The only issue, while not a major flaw in the game is connectivity issues was present during my playthrough, though they are said to not be persistent and maybe just bad timing of when me and my partner bought the game.
That said I quite highly recommend at least trying the Co-op Story mode if you and your friend are capable of remaining stealthy in required areas.
GRAPHICS: Even though this game is "supposedly" running on UE3, obviously Ubisoft has had a field-day with re-engineering the game with almost perfectly moody visuals as well as mostly decent animations. While this is no "Blood Stone", it's not too far behind based on pretty much nailing the art direction they needed for Conviction.
MUSIC: Personally I cannot think of a Soundtrack more fitting for this game, but maybe that's just me. The tunes, themes, and such set the mood pretty much perfectly when and while they play during the game.
CLOSING: I highly recommend this game to anyone who savvies themselves a "spy/stealth gamer" willing to try a game that's not only out-of-the-ordinary, but just plain goodness-to-heck FUN. Death is minute and almost no where as frustrating as other games, and that's always a plus in my book. Just make sure you have a capable rig and recommended to have a fellow friend or steam-mate to help you Nash into some Co-op. I doubt you will be disappointed.
IN MY OPINION?
GRAPHICS:9.2/10
STORY: 9.0/10
GAMEPLAY:9.5/10
MUSIC: 10/10
OVERALL: 9.4/10
"Just plain Epic"
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