Common Sense Media Review
By Marc Saltzman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Mature spy game with a hero who kills with his bare hands.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 18+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Conviction
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 13 parent reviews
Based on 32 kid reviews
Kids say the game excels with its thrilling storyline and engaging gameplay, but it is heavily criticized for its intense violence and frequent strong language, making it potentially inappropriate for younger players. Despite the graphic nature of some scenes, mature players appreciate the depth and tactical elements, but many reviews recommend caution for those under 13 due to the content.
- intense violence
- strong language
- great storyline
- mature audience
- tactical elements
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's It About?
One of the most famous secret agents in video game lore is back for more in TOM CLANCY'S SPLINTER CELL: CONVICTION, a gritty third-person adventure starring super-spy Sam Fisher. This time around, however, the former member of the elite Third Echelon, a secret division within the National Security Agency, is out for vengeance as he vows to track down his daughter Sarah's killer. Fisher soon stumbles upon something much bigger than his own personal vendetta, but revealing more of the game's well-told story would spoil it (especially as it contains a few plot surprises and familiar faces from past games). While he's now playing by his own rules, Fisher still relies on his core skills as a solo field operative, including stealth (lurk in the shadows and scale buildings), gadgetry (such as sonar goggles and a broken car mirror to peek under doors) and combat (both hand-to-hand and weapon-based). This fifth Splinter Cell game is more action-oriented than its predecessors.
Is It Any Good?
Yes -- for adult gamers. Fisher has acquired some new "Mature"-rated tricks, such as the power of persuasion, which lets players "interrogate" suspects and other thugs by slamming their head into tables, walls, toilet bowls or windows. Players can even complete side challenges for being creative in their interrogation techniques. Fisher can also tag enemies in the "mark and execute" feature, which allows him to take out multiple enemies at the tap of a button.
It would be remiss not to mention the outstanding production values in this third-person adventure, including the cinematic way it introduces mission objectives and Sam's thoughts by splashing words and images onto the environment itself. Some of the documentary-style "shaky" camera angle effects might bother some, though. Toss in multiplayer play, including a thrilling co-op mode with its own unique story, and it's easy to see why Splinter Cell: Conviction will likely be the must-play action game of the season.
Online interaction: The game offers many multiplayer modes including a much-hyped co-op mode. Gamers can talk over Xbox Live while playing so it's possible for players to hear profanity from other players (though we didn't hear any), exchange personal information, and be exposed to abuse.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether games like this -- those that let you live vicariously through a tough-as-nails agent -- are healthy entertainment for mature adults. Do they desensitize us to violence and make us more susceptible to act out in real life? Is this visceral entertainment a temporary, virtual getaway from our ordinary lives and a way to unwind after a long day, or is it whetting our appetites for real bloodshed?
Families can also discuss Sam's character in this game as opposed to previous games in the series. Is Sam a hero by avenging his daughter's murder? Or has he become a murderer himself?
Game Details
- Platforms : Windows , Xbox 360
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Available online
- Publisher : UbiSoft
- Release date : April 13, 2010
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : June 30, 2022
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