In 2007, Ubisoft announced the latest instalment in the Splinter Cell franchise- Splinter Cell: Conviction. Offering improved graphics, a couple of new game play features and a rather dishevelled Sam Fisher, the Conviction of 2007 wasn't set to be a ground-breaking new stealth game. The release date came and went and Sam remained in the shadows, biding his time. Ubisoft delayed the release and the game has been through a lot of development in the last two years.
Emerging from hiding in 2010 is a trim, confident and altogether more impressive Sam Fisher. He still has access to many of the fancy tools you would expect to see an ex-NSA operative carrying but now he's also packing a bunch of new skills that look to be a lot of fun to use.
Conviction follows on from the narrative of Splinter Cell: Double Agent; Sam has discovered that his daughter's death in a hit and run was not an accident and he's out to find the killer. This is a one man mission - Sam has gone rogue from the NSA "Splinter Cell" Third Echelon and to add to his problems they're after him too. Pile on a looming threat to Washington DC and we've got the beginnings of a tense, thrill packed story.
The magic word in Conviction is innovation. Ubisoft have been clear that they want to update and refresh the Splinter Cell franchise with some new ideas and a stylish new feel. They've certainly put a lot of time into it and the result is looking impressive. Conviction is promising a more eye-catching array of game play features than the initial 2007 announcement offered; some of these complement the stealth focus of the series while others are leaning towards a faster, more action oriented pace.
The most striking new feature is the mark and execute ability. Using this you will be able to mark a selection of targets while you remain hidden, these can include enemies or objects (which will distract your foes when shot). Once you've finished marking all of your targets you can have Sam execute a string of attacks to take out everyone you've spotted in advance.
Another new feature is the last known position system which is designed to help you strategise when taking down guards. If you're spotted by a guard and make a run for it, this ability will come in handy when you evade the enemy's line of sight; it shows a ghostly image of Sam on the spot that the guard last saw him, effectively showing you where the guard thinks you are. Using this you can flank the unfortunate foe and make the kill.
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