Difficulty:

Just Right

Time Spent:

20 to 40 Hours

The Bottom Line:

"Best in series"

Splinter Cell: Conviction's single player campaign tells the story of Sam Fisher after the evens that happen at the end of Double Agent. The story is put together well and keeps the player drawn in awaiting to find out what happens at each and every turn. The color transitioning from black and white to color depending on whether or not you're in the shadows and/or seen is a nice touch.
Sam Fisher just feels like more of a bada$$ this time through. He has nothing left to lose and all he wants is to find his daughter, no matter what stands in his way. You can now mark and execute targets with the push of a couple buttons, use enemies as human shields to assault through any opposition, or still play the sneaky game pulling enemies out of windows, over balconies or just sneaking up behind and doing one of many krav maga simulations used for Sam's takedowns.
All-in-all the single player experience was well worth the money, but what did it for me was the co-op multiplayer story of the two 3rd Echelon agents. You play as one of two agents doing missions for 3rd Echelon working as a team to tackle objectives and missions. You can mark targets for your teammate and he can execute them. You can be downed now, causing your teammate to have to stop what he is doing and come to your aid before it's too late.
The different gametypes in multiplayer are decent but the exclusion of Spies Vs. Mercenaries from the previous games was very disappointing. I liked nothing more than to hop down behind and enemy Merc and snap his neck.
Overall the game was very good and I can't wait to see what ubisoft has in mind for the next installment of Splinter Call.