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FEATURE
54
jbhifi.com.auMARCH
2016
GAMES
Espionage, the Cold War, international terrorism, covert operations: these are all themes
found throughout Tom Clancy games, and I’ve probably played just about every title released
in the franchise. Not all entries in the video game series bearing the author’s name have
delivered the goods, but there have been some absolute belters along the way. Opinions may
differ, but here are five that have lodged, like mortar shrapnel, in my memory bank.
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon
(2001)
Ghost Recon
was a pioneer in tactical shooters, following in the boots of
Rainbow Six
. However, it traded all-out FPS for a more slow-
paced, calculated, and carefully planned shooter experience with a story that would bizarrely echo actual events that played out when
Russia invaded Georgia in the same year that the game was set. The methodical approach to each of the 15 missions gave the game a
sense of realism that, despite the inferior graphics, had the potential to raise the anxiety levels at regular intervals.
The Xbox version of
Ghost Recon
was the first game that Red Storm Entertainment developed for home console.
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell
(2002)
Enter NSA Agent Sam Fisher. Most gamers who have followed the Tom
Clancy titles will remember the first time they played
Splinter Cell
.
Ushering in a new dimension in stealth gaming and using the Unreal
Engine, the lighting and shadow effects in the game were revolutionary;
the game would enable Ubisoft to go head-to-head with Kojima’s Metal
Gear monster. Although not created by Tom Clancy, the author gave the
thumbs up to the concept and the
game put Ubisoft Montreal on the map,
establishing an ongoing franchise in the
process.
A delivery van in the game had the name
St-Hubert emblazoned across the side.
This is the name of a popular restaurant
in Montreal that the developers would
frequent during production.
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory
(2005)
The third game in the series is a darker entry in the Splinter Cell canon, which at the time
of release, featured a huge visual step-up. The implementation of a knife and the delivery
of a swift fatal strike had players, unsurprisingly, using this effective, silent weapon
frequently. In
Chaos Theory
, missions can be approached in more than one way, offering
variety that keeps the game challenging. With better AI and a handy co-op mode,
Chaos
Theory
delivered just enough to keep things interesting.
as such was banned in South Korea until 2006.
Tom Clancy's
Rainbow Six:
Vegas 2
(2008)
Break down the door, set your gun
to auto, and open the lead hose as
only you can in
Rainbow Six
. The
excellent
Vegas 2
returns players to
the explosive first-person shooter
action and well-designed levels
synonymous with the series. Sin
City provides the backdrop once
more in a game that certainly does
little to reinvent, but provides
plenty to entertain. Yes, the
campaign might be short, but with
a robust multiplayer on hand,
Vegas
2
is a bollock-busting barrel of fun.
The game was heavily censored
in Germany. In multiplayer, the
censored and uncensored versions
are not compatible.
Tom Clancy's
Rainbow Six:
Rogue Spear
(1999)
A follow-
up to the
excellent
original
Rainbow Six
,
Rogue Spear
didn’t so much
revolutionise the series as
improve upon a successful
formula. Visually, the first-person
tactical shooter was a significant
improvement and weather effects
were included for the first time,
adding a new challenge to player
strategy. A compelling story,
improved AI (a little too tightened
at times), excellent mission depth
and at times gruelling gameplay
meant that if you didn’t play the
first
Rainbow Six
, you probably
wouldn’t have a clue what was
going on.
Tom Clancy coined the term
‘Rogue Spear’, as a reference to a
non-state entity in possession of
nuclear weapons.
By Paul Jones