List Of All Splinter Cell Games In Chronological Order (2023)

Inspired by the original stealth franchise, the Metal Gear Solid, the spy game of James Bond Style, science-fiction, Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell hardened the mechanics of modern-day of the stealth-action genre. However, this changed as Ubisoft acquired the name of Tom Clancy. Now originally, what was a sci-fi stealth game named Drift was now known as Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell. In the real world, this was a much more set of a grounded stealth game. The Splinter Cell franchise received a stellar run all over the 2000s with some guest appearances, a PSP spin-off, and six mainline titles. A black-ops operative, Sam Fisher is introduced in the Splinter Cell games. He was a member of the sub-division “Third Echelon” of NSA. A top-secret mission is presented in each game. Fisher is seen going to remote locations to eliminate enemies, capturing terrorists, and retrieving information. Fisher uses Trifocal Goggles to enable thermal vision and night vision. The goggles are a signature item all over the series. In the subsequent games, more features were added to the goggles. Here, we have listed all the Splinter Cell games in order of their release date for you to take a trip down your memory lane.

All Splinter Cell games in order of their release date

Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell- 2002

This is the first-ever Splinter Cell game that was made and is considered the purest stealth game of the franchise. Though it lacks various qualities such as mechanics and life improvements which were found in later installments, this game still delights in the thoughtful stealth-action gameplay. The story is narrated through a brief dialogue and cutscenes that allows the action and tone to take center stage. In this game, all the things are revolved around movement and utilization of the environment to the advantage. You have to repel from the ceiling and stick to the shadows for executing takedowns and sling back in the dark in quest of your next target. Some more active takedown feels smooth and intuitive for a game that is 20 years old. The narrative is convincing, have you root for Sam from the beginning and backs up with incredibly fluid and fun gameplay.

Pandora Tomorrow- 2004

Both bigger in features and scope, this sequel takes advantage of what made the first game of Splinter Cell so good and makes a few improvements as well. To some extent, we do not see much difference from the original one. This game retains the same huge-scale stealth-focused and globetrotting escapades gameplay. But, this game simply improves it into the thing that most of the fans recall most regarding the series. The main crowning achievement in it’s title is the multiplayer mode of the Spies vs. Mercs. Enemy teams play from different perspectives rather than just a conventional deathmatch rip-off. In the third person, spies are stuck, who attempted to activate and place bombs. On the other hand, Mercenaries are the first person who works in taking the spies out. Throughout the franchise, this remained a staple and proved a hit to various degrees of success.

Chaos Theory- 2005

Chaos Theory is the best game of Splinter Cell, bringing everything together in a tight package of complicated level design, grounded storytelling, and bombastic set practices. This game truly holds the espionage essentials of the previous two games that work to make the possible consequences more complex and far-reaching. This also introduced the foremost time in the series where the gameplay scenarios are explored. This means you can select to take out enemies terminally with your knife or even non-lethally with the original array of tools and takedowns. Over the top, this game also introduces Spies vs. Mercs’, a more refined version and the best graphical appearances for the generation. The game also introduced various iconic gameplay mechanics, such as the ability to break or choke the necks of the enemies while hanging upside down. Overall, this game is the culmination of what made the original game that great.

Essentials- 2006

Essentials is the foremost Splinter cell game made for the PlayStation Portable. Essentials serve as an unimpressive best-of hit for the franchise of Splinter Cell. This game acts as a reflection of the life of Sam Fisher that brings memorable missions from the rest of the titles of Splinter Cell. The plot follows Sam Fisher, now an elusive, sneaking into Washington D.C. where he visits his daughter’s tombstone. NSA arrests Fisher, and he has to find his way to escape. The game is incredibly unfocused. It lacks the real fluid control setup of the mainline titles and includes the sub-par multiplayer mode. The PSP was very underpowered. Moreover, the absence of a second analog stick ruined Fisher’s freedom of movement and trademark flexibility. This game was a shorter, simpler take on the series. Still, the non-lethal weaponry and the emphasis on stealth are great.

Double Agent- 2006

Double Agent views Sam Fisher going undercover behind a terrorist cell to take them out and determine the entailment of their overall plan. The game features several endings which depend on the success rate of Sam Fisher. This gameplay gets you sneaking simultaneously via the terrorist headquarters and endeavoring to grow through their ranks. This will bring a mortality system that will mainly be for show. Though stealth is the key focus, some levels need you to play in the daytime. So, you have to navigate environments quickly and play more aggressively. This game has two versions. The Xbox and PS2 versions play the same as the traditional stealth titles of Splinter Cell, retaining the same design engine and mechanics. On the other hand, the PS3, PC, and Xbox versions depart from this both mechanically and structurally.

Conviction- 2010

A complete departure from the series’ stealth mechanics, surprisingly, the Conviction works well despite a redoubled development cycle. The gameplay is quite action-oriented, which benefits the storytelling. This allows for a more grizzled Sam, who is on a solo revenge mission. Though this game unknots into a total scale save the world kind adventure, in the heart, this game remains a more visceral experience. The combat is more focused on aggressive engagement and gunplay. “Mark and execute” finisher is introduced here that helps you to clear a room easily. Thanks to the visuals in black and white, your stealth visuals are simpler to view when undercover. The mid-to-short range combat and stealth blend, prepare for a faster-paced experience. However, the core principles of the rest of the titles are retained but can lead to mixed impressions based on preference.

Splinter Cell 3D- 2011

This is a remake of the Chaos Theory. This game includes characteristics from Conviction and includes fusion vision and projected text. The impressive thing about the Splinter Cell 3DS is that the semi-open tools and levels are totally unchanged, which makes the game a total reconstruction. Incredibly, the controls are limiting, and the targeting and refined movement are nearly impossible with the visual downgrade. The biggest feature is the technology of no 3D glass on the Nintendo DS. Moreover, all the gadgets and features for the player are grouped together on the lower touch-screen. The protagonist Sam Fisher is now equipped with better gadgets and enhanced weapons to infiltrate the enemy. It is enhanced by utilizing the innovative Slide Pad for mimicking the pragmatism of lock picking. For solving interactive 3D puzzles, also hacking has evolved.

Classic Trilogy HD-2011

Classic Trilogy HD is a high-definition, remastered collection of the initial three games of the Splinter Cell series. This includes Chaos Theory, Pandora Tomorrow, and Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell. All the game features outputting at 720p, updated visuals, PlayStation Network Trophy feature, and Stereoscopic 3d support. The trilogy features a manual save system whereby a player is free to save their progress during the game at any time quickly. The saved slots typically are restricted to around four save slots for every game. Another noticeable feature is that the cooperative and multiplayer components of the games are not included in this one. The key features included in this classic Trilogy HD are some challenging and exciting Trophies for 3D TVs, 3D Stereoscopic support, and graphics in HD resolution. The major patch is the introduction of inverted camera controls for the game.

Blacklist- 2013

Blacklist is quite an excellent game having a marred history. This game saw the substitution of Michael Ironside as Sam Fisher’s voice. Eric Johnson did an amazing job in replacing Ironside’s voice. Many fans were left frustrated with this decision. In spite of the unfortunate setback, Blacklist serves as the graceful middle ground between aggression and stealth. The gameplay encourages purchases in that vein, making it pretty interesting to choose from.

Moreover, the levels encourage players to approach encounters differently. This means you can replay them easily every time with a unique experience. Because of it’s well-design, Blacklist is still high on the list. The three different playstyles, namely Assault, Panther, and Ghost, are focused upon. This allows everyone to enjoy this game by not feeling as if it ignores the type that anyone else wishes to play. Longtime enemies will be able to put their hands on no-kill Ghost run when they are avoiding enemies. The ones joining Conviction can similarly play it via the Panther style. There are also various Spies vs. Mercs and cooperative missions, everything tied in a menu of an in-universe map.

Ghost Recon Wildlands: Operation Watchman- 2019

The plot starts with greyish old Sam Fisher emerging with a secret operation for the team of Ghost Recon. Sam is sent to hunt down a rogue CIA operative. He will need the help from the Wildlands characters to help him infiltrate, find and take his agent out. The main disadvantage of this gameplay is that players are not given a chance to play as Fisher. Instead, you get to play with and use his goggles and weaponry. The design of the mission is very much the same as the Splinter cell and inspires pure stealth play. The main issue with Wildlands is that it is not stealth gameplay. Thus, the mechanics are very jankier to manage.

Ghost Recon Breakpoint: Deep State: 2020

Sam Fisher, continuing with game hopping, makes another appearance in the Ghost Recon Breakpoint. Same as in the previous Wildlands operations, Sam is seen to seek help once again. But this time, he has to track down a specialist who has kidnapped some famous scientists from all over the world. The Echelon class, for starters, is a true homage to Sam. This drives you to control a silenced handgun and slender into the stealth mechanics of the game more effectively. The reflexive abilities offer an advantage to staying in the shadow for eliminating enemies. The main story proves to be quite more captivating than the previous DLC.

Wrapping up

You must have enjoyed this list of every splinter game provided by us and got a title that will hold you over until and unless Sam Fisher is seen to pop up again. The success of the Splinter Cell series of video games spawned a novel series also. Not every game was able to stand the test of time, but the best games of Splinter Cell remain absolute stealth classics.

Other Technical Reviews:- Reviews