It takes two baby
There's much more fun to be had by playing the co-operative campaign mode, which also serves nicely as a prequel to the events of the single player campaign. Unlike other games that boast a co-op campaign mode it feels as if this one was actually designed to be played co-operatively from the outset. Instead of just forcing a Fisher clone into the single player campaign and adding a few extra bad guys to increase the difficulty it feels like a real effort was made here, and it's recieved the same high level of polish as the single player campaign. There are also some extra multiplayer modes that cater for fans at both ends of the action/stealth spectrum. For those that miss the kind of sneaking around that Splinter Cell used to be known for, there's a co-operative Hunter mode. This gives you and a friend the challenge of hunting down every enemy on a map together, and you can't be discovered either, or it's game over for both you. For the more person that shoots first and asks questions later there's a wave defense mode, now seemingly a standard addition to every action game, but a welcome one nonetheless.On the whole, Splinter Cell Conviction is an attractive package despite it's shortcomings. Where the single player campaign's short and at times a bit too heavily focused on gun play, the co-op modes more than make up for it. It looks fantastic, although it will be a stretch to get the best out if it on older or lower spec machines and as far as presentation goes, it's difficult to fault Conviction at all to be honest as it's received a level of polish usually reserved for triple A titles. Purists will no doubt dislike the lack of emphasis on stealth, but it's hiding in plain sight in the co-operative modes, any of which will have more longevity than the single player campaign anyway. Provided you have a friend to play with that is, as this isn't a game best enjoyed with random partners. There is however one final niggle that I feel I must mention, the uPlay system. For those of you that dislike intrusive DRM this might be a deal breaker, as it requires you to be connected to the Internet at all times. That's not my only issue with it either. I'm not sure who decided that I needed an achievement system on every platform, or who it was at Ubisoft that decided that they need their very own achievement system, but I find it unnecessary and I'd rather it wasn't there at all, truth be told.
Pros
Great visuals and presentation
Brilliant co-operative modes
Engaging plot
Cons
Short single player campaign
To much emphasis on action over stealth
Intrusive uPlay DRM
