Play Sam again

GAME OF THE WEEK: Splinter Cell Conviction18, Ubisoft, Xbox 360 ****

As sequels go, Splinter Cellhas had a good run of things. Thankfully, it hasn't ended just yet. Splinter Cell Convictionis an engaging game that will pull you into a murky world of betrayal, terrorist plots and vengeance.

Exclusive to Xbox 360, the story this time around: former agent Sam Fisher discovers he’s been betrayed by his one-time agency – the Third Echelon – in the course of investigating his daughter’s death. Now a renegade, Fisher must stop a terrorist plot that could threaten millions. It’s a fairly standard plot, but its fast pace makes it engaging.

Casting Fisher as the renegade brings new life to the title, and you get to see a side of the elite operative you've probably not seen before – anything goes in Splinter Cell Conviction, a fact that is fairly evident throughout the entire game, from Fisher's dialogue to his on-the-edge interrogations.

It’s like playing an entirely different game, from character to gameplay. This time around stealth is not the only thing you need – you also have to be speedy about it. Luckily, Ubisoft has tweaked the gameplay in places and added completely new features in others, bringing it a step above previous titles.

The Last Known Position system helps you misdirect and outflank your enemies, misdirecting them while you take them out from a different position. This isn’t to say that the game’s AI is embarrassingly difficult to defeat, although it depends on the difficulty level.

The shadows are still your best method of cover, but finding yourself out of cover of darkness won’t mean instant discovery, as Fisher can crouch and take cover behind a range of objects. Ubisoft has improved this feature, with the controls more easily mastered here than in other titles.

The addition of the mark-and-execute feature allows you to tag enemies and deal with them instantly. However, it’s not an automatic right, so the feature should be used wisely, as you’ll need to perform further stealthy manoeuvres to mark your next enemy.

Convictionalso gets some new multiplayer options, and even gets its own separate storyline linked to the single player campaign. Play with a second agent in splitscreen by linking systems together, or online in a storyline that takes place before the main campaign, as you hunt down terrorist weapons of mass destruction. All the great gameplay elements from the single-player campaign are carried through to the multiplayer campaign, including the tag and execute, which allows you to work in tandem to take your enemies down.

Splinter Cell Convictionis a polished, pacey addition to the series, although fans might be surprised by the direction Ubisoft has taken the game.