It seems the folks at Gamespy were tempted into giving Splinter Cell: Essentials some praise in a preview, yet, as Joystiq points out, they bashed it in their review.

In the ad to the left we see a quote saying "One of the best games on PSP."  Yet in Gamespy's review they gave it 2 out of 5 stars saying it was "... a low point in the series." The quote for the ad seems to be taken from the preview of the game - isn't that a tad misleading/unethical? In the preview, Gamespy says it's "one of the best games we've played on the PSP." It's pretty clear that's where they got the quote from, but with all of the poor reviews of the game floating around it amazes me that they even chose it.

Instead of spending all of their cash buying reviews, gaming companies should concentrate on developing better games. Whether or not gaming websites take bribes is unknown, no one will admit it and it's been rumored for years that the top 3 (GSpot/GSpy/IGN) all take part in this disgrace. My guess is that nothing has changed and it's because of this that other gaming websites flourish because they offer honest opinions about a game without caring about upsetting a publisher/developer.

Heads up! Slight spoilers ahead!

After a night of playing Splinter Cell Essentials, I have noticed a few noteworthy things about the game. I have not been a fan of previous Splinter Cell games released for consoles, so forgive me if I offend any Splinter Cell fans with my lack of knowledge about Sam's back story.

The first thing I noticed about the game was its lack of thorough tutorials and training levels. Normally this would be a problem, but since the first "mission" has Sam simply walking over to his daughter's grave, this should sufficiently acclimate most players to the games control set up. The control set up itself is intuitive enough and provides the user with two variations for different tastes.

Since loading times have decreased steadily since the release of Midnight Club 3 (the game with the longest loading times of all), I was expecting to see reasonable loading times here too. Unfortunately, this game seems to exceed the time spent loading in all other recent games and is somewhat reminiscent of MC3. Not only do you load into a mission, you also load (again) to get up to the point of your last save.

After playing the game for a while I decided to shut off the PSP, while at the pause screen, to save some battery juice. When I turned the PSP back on I was shocked and horrified as I watched my PSP shut itself down (without my permission). This is not the only time my PSP has spontaneously shut down during this game and it reminds me of the problems many experienced while playing Madden 06. I am hoping that my experience was just a fluke and not something we will be hearing more about in the future.

While Splinter Cell Essentials certainly has its share of problems, the game itself delivers. I really get into this game. The ability to interact with dead bodies alone is enough to keep me interested for days! Overall, this title stays true to its Splinter Cell roots and does an admirable job of delivering a console experience to a handheld platform.

Ubisoft has announced the release of Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Essentials ($39.99) developed specifically and exclusively for the PSP System. The game offers a new and unique gaming experience based on the highest-rated spy action series of all time. Splinter Cell Essentials, which immediately follows the events of Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Double Agent, features a new adapted interface, as well as unique gameplay sequences designed specifically for the on-the-go nature of handheld gaming. It also has five new exclusive missions, including the NSA Headquarters, in addition to four ‘flashback’ missions covering all corners of the earth.  Using the multiplayer mode, players can engage in a wireless multiplayer match with Spy vs. Spy Deathmatch. “Ubisoft is very excited to bring the Splinter Cell franchise to the PSP system,” said Tony Key, vice president of marketing at Ubisoft. “Just as with previous Splinter Cell games, Ubisoft’s development team pushes the boundaries of yet another platform with Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Essentials.”

Other additional features include:

- Exclusively designed for the PSP system: Contains a new adapted interface, as well as unique gameplay sequences designed specifically for the on-the-go nature of handheld gaming.
- Storyline spans the entire Splinter Cell series: Play through the years before the original Splinter Cell game when Sam Fisher was still a Navy Seal to sneak-peak events from the upcoming Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Double Agent game.
- All new missions: Enter the world of international espionage with 5 new exclusive missions, including the NSA Headquarters, in addition to 4 ‘flashback’ missions covering all corners of the earth.
- A game of gadgets: Use all the latest in spy weapons and gadgets from the Splinter Cell series, in addition to authentic new ones exclusive to this version.
- Always on the move: All the classic stealth-action moves you love, plus exciting new killer moves.
- Accessible multiplayer mode: Challenge your friends in a wireless multiplayer match with Spy vs. Spy Deathmatch.

According to a recent press release from Ubisoft, their latest offering in the Splinter Cell series (which ships today in the US and April 7 in Europe) promises users a "new and unique gaming experience with a storyline drawn from the highest-rated spy action series of all time." The gameplay looks exciting enough and the graphics are at least up to par. The main concern with this game, and all other PSP releases that could potentially benefit from a second analog stick, is the control setup. Hopefully, this game will have a system of controls that enhance gameplay and do not become a distraction. I guess we'll find out soon enough. Here are plenty of new screens to check out and a trailer as well, enjoy.


More new screenshots after the jump!

Download: [Splinter Cell Trailer]

The folks over at Gaming Target have gotten an early glimpse into Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell franchise for the PSP. Will it live up to its predecessors? According to the write-up, it’s definitely a step in the right direction and is looking to be one of the best espionage games to come to portable gaming in a while. In this new release from Ubisoft, you will experience all-new missions and objective exclusive to the PSP system, and discover the untold story of Sam Fisher through flashbacks to various missions from the entire Splinter Cell franchise when Essentials comes out of hiding in March.

When it comes to the way Splinter Cell Essentials is played, there is good news and bad news. The bad news is that Splinter Cell Essentials will not be featuring any major revolutions to the old system of sneaking and stalking that the original three Splinter Cell titles have established. That said the good news is that everything established in those games is alive and well in Splinter Cell Essentials. The game will play out almost identically to the other Splinter Cells with the only real difference being the way the camera is moved. Since there is only one analog stick on the PSP, the player will have to keep Sam standing still to readjust the camera. Otherwise, all of Sam’s moves are intact as well as all of his weapons and gadgets from previous series. All of Sam’s moves are easy enough to pull off on the limited PSP controller so that the controls shouldn’t be an issue during the trickier parts of the game.

Splinter Cell Essentials is looking like a tight package. While it won’t replace the greatness of its console brethren, it is definitely shaping up to be the best portable espionage title this side of the Game Boy Color, and it really is about time. 

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Some new footage of the upcoming PSP version of the Splinter Cell franchise hit the web this week thanks to GamersReports. Will it live up to its predecessors? Will it retain the same magnificent gameplay? One would hope so, since many of the missions are classics from earlier versions of Splinter Cell, with a few new ones thrown in for good measure.

Watch: [Splinter Cell: Essentials Video]

Today Ubisoft, one of the world's largest video game publishers, announced Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Essentials, a spy action game available exclusively for the PSP system. Available spring 2006 and developed specifically for the PSP system, Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Essentials will offer a new and unique gaming experience with a storyline drawn from the highest-rated spy action series of all time. 

"Splinter Cell Essentials is a groundbreaking handheld game that has everything Splinter Cell fans love about the top-selling franchise," says John Parkes, EMEA marketing director at Ubisoft. "It will also feature a number of surprises that will allow players to dive deeper into the story of Sam Fisher."

About Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Essentials:

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Essentials takes players deep into the Splinter Cell saga. Experience all-new missions and objective exclusive to the PSP system, and discover the untold story of Sam Fisher through flashbacks to various missions from the entire Splinter Cell franchise, including Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Double Agent.

Key Features:

• PSP system debut: The highest-rated and top-selling spy franchise hits the PSP system for the first time, pushing the boundaries of yet another platform.
   
• Developed specifically for the PSP system: Unique gameplay sequences designed specifically for the on-the-go nature of handheld gaming and a new adapted interface.  
   
• Exclusive content: Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Essentials starts where Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Double Agent ends, and takes players to the years before Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell when Sam was still a Navy Seal.
   
• A game of gadgets for your gadget:  Features all the weapons and gadgets from the Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell franchise, in addition to some new ones exclusive to the PSP system version.
   
• Accessible Wi-Fi multiplayer: Challenge your friends in Spy vs. Spy Deathmatch multiplayer mode.