Tom Clancy is one of the better known writers in the world for his spy fiction novels, and only recently teamed up with a couple video game companies such as Redstorm and Ubisoft to make some of the best video games. Mr. Clancy first started in the video game industry back in 1998 when he and Redstorm studios released the first ever Rainbow Six title on the PC (and Playstation later). He quickly developed an itch for creating new content in video games. The Tom Clancy name then went to Ubisoft so they could have an opportunity to develop his brand named video games. In late 2002, Ubisoft released a brand new IP into the video game market that may have changed the stealth genre for good. Releasing Splinter Cell on the Xbox in November of 2002, the game was an instant hit with its new innovative light perspective and some of the most realistic stealth action moves you could perform in a video game. With the first title being such a major success, it was no thought that they would continue this series by spawning two more titles and even winning various awards such as game of the year last year. Now Ubisoft is taking the Splinter Cell series in a partially new direction with an all new decision system and true next generation visuals.

At this years Microsoft X06 event, Ubisoft stopped by to demo their upcoming Double Agent video game. They showed off a couple gorgeous levels that allow you to choose your own path. The first level that was playable was the sandstorm level, the level where you’re in a scorching desert like environment. This is pretty much the first playable gameplay demo they displayed at E3 this year, so there isn’t anything really new about it with the exception of it being at X06.

The second playable level at this year’s X06 was a snow mission, this first mission will allow you to swim underwater and surprise enemies from below. While below an enemy you are able to smack at the cement ice and break it so the character will fall in as you grab him and either cut his neck or let him have a painful drowning/freezing experience. You can also swim up to a ledge and if an enemy is standing close to it, you can pull him in and do the exact thing you did with the icebreaking technique. There is lots of stealth moves to take out your enemy, just like previous game you are also able to grab your enemy and make him talk, if he doesn’t you can knock him out or just kill him, heck you could do that if he does talk. Through the past couple of Splinter Cell titles, it seems like Sam Fisher is becoming a grumpier old man, he begins to take things too seriously and seems to have a cranky attitude, I guess that’s because now he has two sides to fight for. During the snow level, environments will affect how well enemies can see and shoot you. For example, in the snow level there will be a lot of gust and lots of snow and will make a blizzard like storm where the enemies can barely see you and give you the opportunity to sneak behind them. Although these natural effects will occur randomly, you should make sure you put them to good use.

The newest and probably most innovative new system in Double Agent is the trust mode. During single player gameplay, the trust meter will, shown at the bottom left of the games screen will determine how much JBA and the NSA organizations have faith in you. These bars will pop-up whenever a new objective is given, and what your choice was to accomplish or fail it. This is actually kind of cool yet can turn off a few players. The only reason it might crack a few gamers skulls is the fact if you don’t do something quick enough they will start to get suspicious of you and this could work out to the players disadvantage because usually in Splinter Cell games you have all the time in the world, but now it feels as if you’re going through timed missions and if you don’t do many of the objectives you will fail. But like in the first trailer it says “Will you kill one person to save thousands?” the game is all about choice. Say if there are tons of innocent people being lined up to be killed, you could take out the executioner and save the victims, or you could watch them die, each one of these will determine how well each group trusts you. If you take him out, the JBA might get suspicious and lower their trust meter while if you don’t save them you might get lower trust from the NSA, what to do? Each scenario you accomplish will give you something different in the storyline, its more of a flexible or dynamic storyline you could create based on your actions.

While this new decision system is great, you could find yourself in a jam. When either of the organizations doesn’t trust you anymore, the game is over, no exceptions you’ll just have to retry or load your last saved file. During gameplay there will be one small bar at the bottom left of your screen, there is not really any other bars and such and really puts you in a more realistic world. The NSA and JBA bars do pop-up from time to time but when playing you’ll mainly see a long bar with your objective in it and a little round icon indicating your current visual status. What I mean by visual status is if you’ve been spotted. If it is green you are completely safe, if it is yellow enemies are looking out for you and if it is red you have been spotted and its shoot to kill. With a click of a button you are able to modify your current weapon and switch it. Like in previous Splinter Cell titles moving left and right in the weapon selector will allow you to choose various weapons such as machine guns, handguns and different typed of grenades. When moving up and down you’ll be able to customize your weapons by adding grenade launchers, stun guns, etc. to them. There are various ways to finalize your enemy.

During X06, Ubisoft showed off some playable Splinter Cell footage, there isn’t too much new about the game but it was a refreshing taste to play a next generation Splinter Cell title. What was also announced at this years X06 press briefing was that Ubisoft and Microsoft have come to an agreement that the next Splinter Cell title (Splinter Cell 5) will be Xbox 360 exclusive, sorry Sony and Nintendo fans, no Sam for you. While the game does have a few interesting systems attached to it, its good to see Ubisoft trying harder to make a more realistic and adventurous title rather than sticking to the exact same formula over and over again (even though that would probably still sell). Splinter Cell Double Agent will be sneaking into stores mid October so keep your eyes at AMN for more coverage.