Splinter Cell Blacklist
Publisher:
Ubisoft
Developer:
Ubisoft Toronto
Platforms:
PS3, Xbox 360, PC, Wii U
Genre:Stealth
Release Date:NA: August 20th 2013, AU: August 22nd 2013, EU: August 23rd 2013, JP: September 5th 2013
Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Blacklist is an action-adventure stealth game developed by Ubisoft Toronto and the seventh installment of Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell series.
The game was originally to be released in March, but was delayed till August 20 2013 for PC, PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360. The game was also announced and since released on Nintendo’s Wii U, making it the only 8th Generation console that the game launched on. [reference]
Development
Splinter Cell Blacklist goes back to the roots of Splinter Cell, bringing back all the trademark features of stealth, hiding bodies and being rewarded for said stealth, while maintaining Conviction’s fast game-play and the mark and execute feature. The movement, environments and equipment are considered closer to the typical Splinter Cell experience. [reference]
In an interview, Game Director Patrick Redding explained a bit about the gameplay he explained that how your actions as the player will have a different impact on how the game is playing out, and there is so much depth in using weapons and gadgets and using a combination of them to take down enemies, and learning how to use the environment to your advantage, the developers wanted to give the player a wide range of options and multiple paths so that they could know how the game is going play out.
While Conviction forced the player into action sequences, as Sam Fisher had to take down groups of enemies, Blacklist encourages more stealth. Enemies are smarter and more heavily armed this time around. In addition, Sam is more fluid in his movements and can take out multiple targets with great proficiency.
Story
Taking place 6 months after Splinter Cell Conviction, Sam Fisher is now the leader of the newly formed Fourth Echelon and reports directly to the President of the United States. The focus of Fourth Echelon is to permanently shut down all current operations being conducted by Third Echelon and their agents. During this assignment, a group of 12 terrorists commence an ultimatum called the Blacklist – a deadly countdown of increasing terrorist attacks on United States interests. [reference]
The perpetrators are terrorists tired of United States Military presence in two-thirds of countries across the world. Sam and his team must hunt down the terrorist by any means necessary to stop the Blacklist countdown before it reaches zero. Your team comprises of returning Splinter Cell team-mates like Anna Grimssdotter, along with Isaac Briggs and Charlie Cole.
Gameplay
Splinter Cell: Blacklist features many familiar elements. Sam Fisher is able to utilize Mark & Execute in Blacklist. There will also be interrogation and torture sequences (which you control) and sequences where Sam must find the best route through the environment. The game brings back Sam’s infamous tri-focal goggles and the light on his back to indicate if he can be seen or not.
Sam seems a lot more agile than the previous games, with a new feature called Killing in Motion allowing him to strike with lethal accuracy by marking and executing multiple enemies in one fluid motion.
New gadgets include the upgraded snake cam and micro tri-rotor drone which allows Sam to scout ahead, mark targets by a long distance to able to move tactically across the field. It can also be used to distract enemies, or explode, killing anyone close enough. Classic Splinter Cell gadgets also make a return such as the sticky shocker.
For close quarters combat, players can also wield the curved Karambit knife. According to the developers, Sam will again be able to walk in the shadows and will have been able to play through each mission in different styles which includes: Assault, Panther and Ghost. Blacklist comes with a new difficulty called Perfectionist in which the player will not be able to see through walls with his sonar goggles and Mark & Execute will not be functional. [reference]
The player will be aboard and can walk around the Paladin between missions. The Paladin is an upgraded version of the Osprey, which will serve as the main base for all Fourth Echelon operations.
Limited Edition
A limited edition package for Blacklist called the Paladin Collector’s Edition, which contains a remote-controlled plane, the graphic novel Splinter Cell Echoes, the Billionaire’s Yacht co-op map, Upper Echelon Pack (Dead Coast Map), Gold Sonar Goggles and a limited edition poster is also available on pre-order. [reference]
This wiki was last updated on 2nd, January, 2015.