Looks good for a PS2 game - pretty impressive... it also looks kinda funny without the realistic lighting shadows. Many of those features don't seem like they would be downloadable :/ Then again, it doesn't say exclusive either - maybe the PC Platinum pack version will have it.

Edit: I'm just saying that cuz I want to see the extra content, but wasn't planning on picking it up for another console... I was thinking about getting the PC version though. I do hope that content will be available.

Is it me or is there a lot of cowbell in that soundtrack?

Agreed. Hopefully this is not what the game soundtrack is like. Sounds like B-action movie music..... Can anyone who's played the XBOX version recognize the music as being in-game?

It sounds like it fits with the music in the game... if you don't like this, then you might not like the in-game music. The in-game music certainly plays a big role though.

I thought the score was brilliant, the use of in-game music rocks.

http://cube.ign.com/articles/385/385847p1.html

GBA and GC versions to utilize link up feature. Unfortunately there's not details on how.

It probably won't be anything special. Probably something like beating both will unlock things ala the Metroid games. But it could end up being something cool, who knows.

An interesting interview regarding the PS2 port of splinter cell. Looks like they pulled off realtime dynamic lighting and shadows! Must have taken some hefty programming muscle. He doesn't mention much about the GC version though.

The PS2 has alot of processing power, but it simply doesn't have the special effects capability graphically - all those shadows are done in software and it shows. Regardless of what he says. It looks really good for a PS2 game though.

There's a cool article on Eurogamer about the PS2 port of splinter cell. I got the link from the Penny Arcade post for today (give credit where it's due). Sounds like it may kick some major butt. Regardless if it pushes the PS2 to the limit, the fact that the engine does what everyone said the PS2 couldn't is really impressive. I can't imagine 70 people working on a game engine! Makes you wonder if the "rumor" on Penny Arcade is true about Sony paying for the game engine port.

Anyway, I am pretty excited about this port, the more I read about it. It also has me more enthused about the PS2's potential. What can other developers do with it (like Polyphony Digital)? Bring on Gran Turismo 4 baby!

I was thinking I would pass on this title as I remained unconvinced by all the hype around this PS2 port. That article might have finally brought me around. I'm tired of having even Dreamcast ports look bad on the PS2. It looks like Ubi Soft is taking this project VERY seriously, indeed. We'll have to see what the actual reviews are, but it's nice to see that some companies are committed to releasing top-quality ports for the PS2 (even if it requires a lot more work and expense to do so).

There was a GameInformer article that showed side-by-side scenes of PS2 and Xbox... It made the PS2 version look terrible. I have no doubt that the PS2 version will look nice, but it won't live up to all this hype. I hope my roommate buys it.

I'm sure it won't live up the X-box version. You can feel safe that "your" system will have the best version.

I'm just impressed that they aren't half-assing the ports to make a quick buck.

No doubt that the PS2 port wont look as good as the XBOX version, but the mere fact that they are able to perform graphics routines that people said the PS2 could not pull-off (real-time lighting from multiple sources, translucency effects etc) is impressive. Just a good testament to clever coding.

Oh, I'm not denying that they are going the extra mile and I wish all developers would do this... however, what I'm saying is that the real-time lighting isn't gonna happen. It's all done in software and it shows. The GI article shows the differences between software and hardware lighting effects. They are indeed spending alot of time on this because they have to completely redo all the lighting schemes and make serious changes to the engine. The PS2 has tons of untapped processing power, just no special effects... Like I said though, I hope my roommate buys this for his PS2 cuz I wanna play it. It should be one of the best looking PS2 games ever to come out.

This rocks on the PC.

Take a look at the April EGM mag.....Splinter Cell for the PS2 is going to have an extra scenario worked into the storyline which was not available to Xbox gamers.

The articles also talks about how they are handling the graphics issue which some here seem to be worried about. Read the article and have your concerns eased somewhat.

Blah. It looks pretty bland in comparison. This was taken from Game Informer.

I wonder if those are shots which still need work in regards to the PS2 screenshots? I will wait for the finished product before doing any type of comparison.

I think you got to ask yourself "are the downgraded graphics going to detract from my overall enjoyment of the game?". In all honesty I did expect lesser graphics from the PS2 version.

A question to the XBox owners out there. I haven't played Splinter Cell for more than a few minutes at Toys R Us on a demo so I don't know about the deeper levels. But is the real time lighting an integral part of game play or is it merely "eye candy"?

Real time lighting IS the game play. It's everything. I agree with Flay, those comparisons make the PS2 version really iffy.

This was done in the software and it shows.

Sorry, Trigger hadn't said that in between every other post in a few hours. Just thought I'd let him sit this one out.

Definitely and completely integral to the gameplay.

The whole point of each level is not of been seen. The amount of light around you directly effects how the enemy AI reacts to your presence.

Cast a shadow in the wrong direction and you are screwed. Hide in complete darkness and the enemy can pass right by you without ever knowing you where there. Shoot out the correct lights and you can pass by unnoticed.

While the sound plays just as big a role in terms of gameplay, the absence of real-time lighting will severly cripple the game.

Well like I said before, I only played the game for like 5 minutes. So it was tough to get a handle on everything.

with all the work being done on making this conversion I hope they don't drop the ball on this important part of the game. we all know it wont look as good as x-box but I hope it will be as fun

btw I have yet to see a x-box game with graphics that beat GT3. Oh I'm sure its out there somewhere but the PS2 isn't an atari 2600 after all

Oh, it'll still be fun - it's a fun game... you just won't be able to tell exactly how well you're hidden without looking at the meter. They won't drop the ball - they're investing alot of time and money on this port. However, the PS2 simply can't do the special effects via hardware, so they'll try to fake it via software using the PS2s processor muscle. It'll look 'good enough'.