This Splinter Cell has a little bit of extra action than most of hte previous games. You have Fifth Freedom on all missions and only occasionally in single player do you have to run through without being detected. The first few missions fell like a training level to get you use to the new features of the game which to me is good as you can get to grips with the new dynamic while still playing a story driven level. The replayability of the levels is good too. You might go in the front door this time, next time go in through the upstairs window. Each choice has different outcomes based on who is partolling the different areas. For certain misson achievements you get given points to be able to cash in on upgrades for weapons and you can upgrade almost all weapons. Add a silencer to make kills stealthy, of add a bigger magazine to get more shots in, the choice is yours. All in all a good addition to the series with Sam Fisher being grizzlier than before and with a bigger grudge. When he gets word his daughter is killed in a car accident he goes all out to try to find what happened to her. This means he no longer follows Third Echelon protocols or the ‘rules’ he used to follow. Be aware, he no longer goes to the effort of simply knocking someone out, its kill or be killed for Sam.

I would rate the game better than Double Agent and slightly under Chaos Theory – then again I am a stealth perfectionist and this game has a lot less option in some cases.

I never thought much about Splinter Cell – to me it's always been just another stealth First Person Shooter (FPS). Until I gave Conviction a go. Boy was I hooked.

The story was engrossing, the gameplay was stylish, the graphics were serious. FPS is just an FPS unless it sports a unique feature that makes it stand out above the crowded FPS genre.

CRYSIS' suit did it for me. FEAR's slo-mo did it for me. And with Splinter Cell: Conviction, it's MARK & EXECUTE! Everytime I used this I literally cheered for Sam Fisher for a superbly fluid execution – execution in every way! This is truly the most innovative feature I've seen in any FPS.

While you could choose to go in with guns blazing, it's so much more fun going stealth with Mark & Execute – a feature that allows you to nail up to 4 enemies with deadly pinpoint accuracy – after you performed a melee attack that is. This is so that it doesn't make it so easy to complete each level.

Of course, the storyline was superbly engrossing and just draws you in the entire way. One of those games I wouldn't stop until I was done.

One of the most satisfying FPS games, EVER. Get it. Yes, it requires the internet connection, but for what it's worth, it's worth it. No complaints there.

There is no doubt that Splinter Cell Conviction is a superbly made game. The exciting action gameplay flows so smoothly into and out of cutscenes, making a very cinematic gaming experience. The brutality and efficiency of Sam Fisher is portrayed so well during the many gunfights. As an action game, it is flawless.

Unfortunately, this is a Splinter Cell game. Meaning it falls into the delicate ‘stealth action’ genre and because of this, it falls short. By my definition this is not a stealth game, the mechanics simply have not been built for stealth (slow) gameplay – you simply cannot play this game stealthily. You will not enjoy it if you do. The build-up to Conviction's re­lease emphasised heavily the fast-pace of the game, showing shots of Sam Fisher running through streets dodging gunfire and firing his powerful assault rifle – which is very, very exciting. But it also proves that it is not a stealth game, if you did that in any other Splinter Cell game you would fail. Instantly. You can do plenty of other things too like shoot down massive containers hanging on a crane so they smash onto the floor; blow up tankers; or operate machine gun turrets; things which would automatically give away your position but what the hey, it's just so darn exciting right?

I know why they took this approach, and I accept it. It's a well needed reinvention of the franchice after the underwhelming Spinter Cell Double Agent. It is also a chance open Splinter Cell up to the general action game market, rather than the admittedly minor stealth action niche. It's impressive that they actually pulled it off. The game is superb at the end of the day. If this was a stand alone game it would get a deserved 5 stars, and I recommend it. But if you are a fan of Splinter Cell, do not play this expecting the gameplay you are used to. And if you are new to the series, then Conviction is a good place to start.