Tick-tock goes the clock, bang-boom goes the homebrew scene. In a matter of days, The Underminer has updated his game and has now released Special Operations v0.2 for firmwares 1.0 and 1.5. Hailing inspiration from the tan-lined Sam Fisher, his Splinter Cell homebrew will allow you to walk the walk (in this case, "sneak the sneak") through levels of, well, special operations.

The game also has a Level Editor in which you can create your own side-scrollers to share with your friends.

30-10-06 v0.2 changelog:

• Added screenshot feature (press Select button)
  
• Fixed jumping issues
• improved shooting. Almost all enemies can be shot now.
• improved memory issue
• Fixed level corruption
• Added levels 6 and 7

If you need the controls, you can either read the article about v0.1 or take a look at the readme. He suggests that if you guys would create your own levels, it would be great if you could send it to him so that he could include them in future versions. He's also even thinking about a WLAN download service so that we can download these levels.

Download: [Special Operations v0.2 fro FW 1.00]
Download: [Special Operations v0.2 fro FW 1.50]

Must. Resist. Urge. to make "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" joke. Unghh!

Whew! They say seeing is believing, so here you are, six of the very first screens available for the portable version of Ubisoft's Rainbow Six: Vegas. The game is set to follow the main events of its console brethren, but naturally the PSP version will feature a certain amount of exclusive content.

       

       

And just a reminder of what you can expect in terms of gameplay, Ubisoft has pledged the following:

• Tag-Team Gameplay : In single player mode you're able to play as both field operative and sniper.
• Tactical Observation : You basically have the ability to use high tech equipment like snake cams to check out a room, strategically plan out assaults before taking terrorists down.
• Take Cover : You can switch to third person view while taking cover. This allows you to examine the situation to before you make your next move.
• Tailored Control System : controls are specifically designed to fit the PSP.
• Unlockable Content : Play good, get rewarded. A standard in any game looking for replay value.
• Terrorist Hunt Mode : This mode allows you to hone your skills. The gameplay in this mode is simple. Enter single-player maps and hunt down spawning terrorists one at a time.
• Multiplayer : Allows you and five of your buddies to fight together via wireless (Ad- Hoc) or online play (Infrastructure) in Survival and Team Survival multiplayer modes.
  

Personally, I'm a little skeptical, especially after the buggy appearance of Prince of Persia on the PSP, not to mention Sam Fisher's less than stellar debut on the handheld with Splinter Cell Essentials. Sure the screens look great, but Ubisoft are going to have their work cut out to convince me they mean business this time around.