Difficulty:

Hard

Time Spent:

10 Hours or Less

The Bottom Line:

"Almost, but not quite"

Having not played any other Splinter Cell game than this one, I believe I can review it with a bit more insight than fans who will only try to compare it with PC or XBOX versions, machines millions of times more powerful than the GBA. I did enjoy Pandora Tomorrow although I have to say, it is quite lacking in many areas.

This is the part where I usually summarize the plot. Well, sorry, but I don't know the plot. Why? Because I didn't care. And before you accuse me of being those lazy gamers who don't pay attention to stories, I'd like to accuse the game of not making me care. Plus, the fact that I dropped this game and picked it up again 2 years later to finish the last mission doesn't help. If you really must know: CIA, terrorists, blah blah.

The graphics are actually pretty decent (for the GBA). I didn't really like the sounds though. Gunshots sound nothing like gunshots and the same for punches. The music is quite cool a times. The level designs are nice and vary from mission to mission, with few recycled sprites.

The game feature a fun set of mechanics: moving behind objects, holding on to pipes, lock-picking safes, avoiding lasers and several more. These are well presented in the training area and especially well used in the various missions. This gives it a distinctive "stealth game" label although the 2D does make this a bit hard to believe (not many places to hide). There is also a heavy repetition in the use of the mechanics. After shooting your 243rd camera, you might get slightly annoyed by the presence of the 244th.

The game is pretty challenging. Unless you're playing it on an emulator, be prepared to handle many alerts that will severely slow down progress. There is also not much satisfaction upon completing levels. No trophies or high scores. Which also means that there is absolutely no point in replaying the game. You finish it, you throw it away.

To be short, this game is ideal for anyone who intends to play through the first 4 missions. Afterwards, the repetitions or the sheer difficulty will most likely make you turn away from this cartridge. Otherwise, you will enjoy playing it.