Splinter Cell Double Agent Guide Infiltrates Stores

The Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Double Agent Official Strategy Guide should now be appearing on store shelves. I have been a bit too busy to create a proper title intro, so this introduction could indeed leave you feeling a bit wanting. However, the guide and the game most certainly will not. After writing a guide for Naruto Uzumaki Chronicles inside merely a week and a half and then jetting off to Sacramento for a fun and informative author summit at the Prima offices, I now suddenly find myself lodged in an extended stay suite in Seattle eagerly awaiting my first visit to the Nintendo offices. But all of that is a tale for another day. I’m reporting in by remote to give you the scoop on my new book, which I worked on for over 6 months; the longest I’ve ever served on a title.

I received my first build of Double Agent in February of this year. The version of the game I played back then was nothing like the one that is shipping to retailers now. So it’s been a very interesting process to watch the next game in one of my favorite series develop from something very similar to Chaos Theory into the paranoia inducing program you are about to play. The guide covers two versions of the game: the PlayStation2/GameCube version (which we were assured are identical), and the 360/PC version (which we simultaneously described in one narrative with a similar assurance from the developer). There is also a third version of the game on Xbox which is a slightly expanded and graphically enhanced version of the PS2/GC version, with mainly some geographic expansions and, symptomatically, enemy placement changes. No matter which version you play, even the Xbox version, the guidebook has you covered on how to take down virtually every man on patrol in every area of every version.

The 360/PC version is a completely different game than the PS2/GC/Xbox versions. The story remains the same, but the execution is decidedly High Definition in nature. Whereas most of the last gen games take place in dark, confined spaces with plenty of corners and hiding spots, half of the 360 version missions take place in broad daylight, outdoors, in flat areas with enemies who can see long distances. The other missions take place inside the terrorist’s headquarters, where series protagonist Sam Fisher has only limited access. These missions often require you to sneak into restricted areas to steal intelligence and information on the terrorists’ next move. Oftentimes the effect is like standing in front of a bookshelf with your back turned, waiting for everyone else to leave the room before you can plant a microphone. The fact that these headquarters missions usually have to be carried out under a very strict timer significantly increases the tension.

Regrettably, I must admit the last gen versions are missing some of the dynamism of the 360 version. For instance, the greatest mission in the 360 version, which takes place in war-torn Kinshasa, Africa, in the Congo region, forces Sam to sneak through streets just after tanks have blown the area all to hell, with rebels and government troops firing at each other and Sam caught in the middle. The effect is exhilarating and exhausting, and when the mission is complete you really should feel as if you have just survived a friggin’ war. PS2/GC/Xbox owners get to infiltrate a Kinshasa hotel at night, and that’s about it. I know this may sound a bit diminutive of the last gen games, but that is not my intention; the fact is that this is probably the premiere title to get on the Xbox 360. I swear to you by all that is holy that the experience is worth more than the price of the console and game combined. Therefore, if you still languish in last-gen Hell even after the 360 has been out nearly a year, I assure you the time to shell out $$$ is now.

While I could continue to write and write about what a great project this was, alas I must retire early and prepare for my arrival at Nintendo tomorrow. But I would like to point out that the guide also covers the PS2/GC Co-op mode as well as the Multiplayer modes of all versions. The multiplayer chapters feature a few photos and tips from the Frag Dolls (both US and UK), Ubi’s team of female arena gamers, plus interviews with the SCDA team conducted by one of the UK Frag Dolls. The 360 half of the book features the most high-res HD screenshots ever captured and printed.

Double Agent is probably the most difficult Splinter Cell release to date. Having played all three previous games, I felt like the learning curve required me to have stealth skills from the get-go. The guide definitely attempts to tackle this, and provides strategies to grab seemingly untouchable enemies by the neck and have your way with them. So when you’re picking up the game, be sure to take home a copy of the 320-page guidebook as well. It virtually bursts at the seams with stealth goodness!

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