In the Splinter Cell series, you come for the stealth, you stay for the takedowns.
Sam Fisher is a black belt in the discrete elimination arts and he's never had more options at his disposal than in his latest assignment in Splinter Cell: Blacklist. The title dropped for Xbox 360, Wii U, PC and PlayStation 3. No two players will experience the exact same playthrough, even more so with Blacklist's engrossing co-op and adversarial multiplayer. What every stealth game fan will get to experience are myriad ways to eliminate terrorists from seemingly countless means.
The following list and video showcase features the 10 sweetest takedowns we managed to video capture during our review playthrough, which also included pre-release multiplayer sessions hosted by Ubisoft Toronto. We hope we managed to teach you a thing or two.
In the Splinter Cell series, you come for the stealth, you stay for the takedowns.
Sam Fisher is a black belt in the discrete elimination arts and he's never had more options at his disposal than in his latest assignment in Splinter Cell: Blacklist. The title dropped for Xbox 360, Wii U, PC and PlayStation 3. No two players will experience the exact same playthrough, even more so with Blacklist's engrossing co-op and adversarial multiplayer. What every stealth game fan will get to experience are myriad ways to eliminate terrorists from seemingly countless means.
The following list and video showcase features the 10 sweetest takedowns we managed to video capture during our review playthrough, which also included pre-release multiplayer sessions hosted by Ubisoft Toronto. We hope we managed to teach you a thing or two.
Simple Stalking
Lurk deep, run silent:
If you know the guard patterns and know who else is nearby, a quiet creeping from behind might be all you need. They might spot you, but not quickly enough to alert others. The more you kill quietly, the more likely you'll maximize your earnings, allowing you to buy more soundproof apparel. This move is easy enough that we included five such scenes.
Smackdowns From The Edge
Just a little bit to the left:
From Uncharted to Hitman, the last 10 years of adventure games have had their share of ledge takedowns. You can go for something PG-13 rated in Blacklist; no need to yank someone to their death in an inglorious fall. Just smack them on the head against a balcony railing.
Around the Corner
Pssst, over here:
This is one of the most common ways to take out an enemy without being spotted. Even if the guard's assigned path isn't convenient for you, you can always call him over with a simple "Pssst". It's fun to do and fun to watch which is why we featured five such takedowns in this clip.
Gadget Overkill
There's an app for that:
By the time you get to the second half of the campaign mode, you almost feel sorry for the enemies and subjecting them to a wealth of gadgets you've managed to afford. There are multiple grenades with varying degrees of discretion, a highly effective drone, not to mention different kinds of mines. Some gadgetry are even infused with some weapons, like a this crossbow with both shock and sleep functionality.
Zipline Takedowns
Death from above:
It's one of the simpler moves to pull off: one button to start descending the zipline, another to pull off the takedown. It's simple and effective, provided the target's buddies aren't nearby to take you out as you try to get up.
Mark and Execute
Don't make eye contact:
This was the most divisive feature introduced in the previous game, Splinter Cell: Conviction. It's hard to argue that it made Conviction a more accessible game than any Splinter Cell before it. The bottom line is that it made Conviction fun, even if it granted Sam Fisher instant kill super powers. For Blacklist, Ubisoft Toronto made things a bit more realistic, by placing a larger emphasis on range and line of sight.
Mark and Execute: Sniper Version
Greatest sniper ever:
Ok, Sam still has some inhuman skill when it comes to Mark and Execute, but at least the range is weapon-specific. Want to take out multiple guys from from long distances? Just have a sniper handy. Unrealistic? Sure, but it still looks badass.
All-You-Can-Melee Buffet
When all else fails:
Here's one way you can make the most of a gadget. A cloud from a smoke grenade turns a pack of enemies into melee fodder. This scene was such a golden opportunity that I even gave those takedowns priority over saving my buddy (it helps that the bleed-out time is long). Still, you can't argue with the end result.
Multiplayer Hide and Sneak
Can't kill what you can't see:
Here's a scene from a hack during the Spies Vs Mercs multiplayer. The goal is to survive 100 seconds within a couple dozen yards of a console so the hack can reach 100%. If you appreciate the maps' verticality, know how to use the stealth camo, and can take advantage of your spy's mobility, 100 seconds is more than enough. Watch this clip as I attempt to hide from the enemy, who are highlighted in red and stalking me. Did I make it?
Three-Sided Hiding Place
Hack and, eventually, slash:
To get an idea of the rush of multiplayer, simply watch this clip. Against other games media and Splinter Cell devs, I miraculously managed to initiate the final hack before time ran out, initiating bonus time. Now I just had to survive for 100 seconds. Never before had I attempted to creatively make the most of a three-sided space, hiding from all sides whenever someone was approaching. The key was not in hiding, but taking the fight to the stalkers. And of course, getting a little help from my friends is always appreciated.