A fun throwback to classic 2D gameplay that suffers due to its medium.
SCPT is a throwback to the classic 2D action sidescrollers of the past. And in its execution it can proudly stand among the great games of that genre. The gameplay itself is simple, solid, and very similar to the console versions of the Splinter Cell games. Controlling Sam Fisher, you are able to sneak past enemies, grab them & knock them unconscious with the heel of your pistol, or shoot them. You can also duck and roll under obstacles as well as jump off ledges and onto platforms, kicking enemies standing underneath them.
The game spans over a set of 8 levels which can take as few as three minutes to complete (once you've played through them a couple of times). The final, and longest mission can take as long as ten minutes to complete, depending on how much you care about being stealthy. A simple point system is used to increase replayability, by enticing you to try and beat your own best scores. During each level you will attempt to avoid the detection of your enemies as well as motion sensors, cameras, and automated machine guns. You are able to use the available darkness to your benefit or shoot out lights to create your own hiding spots. Once you are submerged in the inky blackness, you are able to do as you please with the unsuspecting enemies that stand between you and your objective. If the need arises, you can use these hostiles to open retinal-scanner protected doors or just sneak past undetected.
Graphically, the game is stunning. The characters are detailed and the animations are smooth. In fact, you will be hard-pressed to find a game released at the same time as SCPT that looks better. It is especially impressive when you take into account that the entire game weighs in at a scant 169 KB. The sound is really no more or less impressive than any other mobile phone game and is really SCPT's only drawback; but an inconsequential one. Actually, I usually played the game with the sound turned off so that I didn't distract or annoy others.
The main problem with SCPT, like all mobile games, is the price. For $7.00 you get to own the game forever, or until you get a new phone. Or for $3.00 you can have a monthly subscription to SCPT. You can expect to get between forty-five minutes to an hour of play time on the original run-through. And unfortunately, there isn't really enough substance to keep you coming back for more. After completing the game about twice, I had every enemy position memorized, and SCPT didn't really offer any challenge, or fun, anymore.
The bottom-line is that SCPT is a fun little game while it lasts. It is also an exemplary mobile phone title, offering much better graphics and tighter gameplay than a lot of available action games. Ultimately though, if you want to try it out, you are probably better off going for the $3.00 one month fee, because you most likely won't have a desire to play it longer than that.