The Splinter Cellfranchise has now been deadin the water for now for more than a decade, but the series still has a strong cult following. The stealth mechanics in the game might not have been as intricate, or the story as dramatic and outlandish as the Metal Gear Solid games, but it was a perfectly fine stealth game that deserved more love from Ubisoft.
8 Best Ubisoft Games of All Time
Ubisoft has its hands in a variety of genres and franchises, and these are its best games of all time.
With Ubisoft currently working on a remake of the first Splinter Cell, it’s worth taking a leap back in time to see which are the seven best titles in the franchise.
7Splinter Cell: Conviction
A Rogue Agent’s Reckoning
Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Conviction
Stripping away the shadows that defined Sam Fisher’s career, Splinter Cell: Conviction marked a radical departure from its predecessors. With his signature goggles gone and a kill-or-be-killed mentality driving him forward, Fisher embraced a more aggressive style of stealth. The game introduced the “Mark and Execute” system, allowing players to tag enemies and eliminate them in quick succession, a feature that blurred the line between tactical espionage and cinematic action.
The story follows a rogue Fisher on a personal mission, unraveling a conspiracy tied to his daughter’s supposed death. Without the backing of Third Echelon, Fisher relied on improvised weapons, brutal interrogations and the game’s standout mechanic, “Last Known Position.” This system projected a ghostly silhouette of where enemies believed him to be, allowing players to mislead and outmaneuver foes. While some longtime fans lamented the loss of classic stealth mechanics,Ubisofthas to be commended for being creative and trying something new, an ideology that is sorely needed in the modern gaming landscape.
6Splinter Cell: Double Agent (PS3/Xbox 360)
The Inferior Version
Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Double Agent
In an ambitious attempt to blur the lines between right and wrong, Double Agent introduced moral choices that affected thestory. This version of the game, developed by Ubisoft Shanghai, took a more dramatic approach, plunging Fisher deep into an undercover mission within a domestic terrorist organization. His actions, whether they’re about sabotaging enemy operations or executing fellow NSA agents, would shape the multiple endings, adding weight to every decision.
The 7th gen console release of Double Agent leaned heavily into cinematic storytelling, featuring flashy scripted sequences and high-stakes betrayals. This came at the cost of stealth depth, though. The trust system, which measured Fisher’s standing with both the Third Echelon and the terrorists, was an intriguing idea but ultimately limited player agency. Missions also leaned toward action-heavy set pieces, alienating fans who preferred a more calculated, methodical approach.
Between this version and the last-gen release, this one is generally seen as weaker. The moral dilemmas lacked real impact and its more linear design felt like a step back. More importantly, this version is considered canon.
5Splinter Cell: Blacklist
The Forgotten Classic
Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Blacklist
A game that tried to balance the franchise’s past and present, Blacklist was an attempt to merge the best aspects of Conviction’s action with the stealth depth of Chaos Theory. This compromise resulted in a game that pleased many but left others feeling that it lacked a clear identity. The return of traditional gadgets, non-lethal takedowns and full stealth routes was a welcome change, but the absence of Michael Ironside as Sam Fisher due to Ubisoft’s decision to motion-capture a younger actor was a major controversy. Fans felt that while Blacklist was mechanically excellent, Sam didn’t feel like the same character without Ironside’s signature voice.
The story followed Fisher leading the newly-formed Fourth Echelon to neutralize the “Blacklist” threat, a series of escalating terrorist attacks against the United States. Theco-opand Spies vs. Mercs multiplayer modes were among the strongest features, bringing back the series’ beloved asymmetric gameplay. Despite its polished mechanics and varied mission design, however, Blacklist struggled to make a lasting impact. It sold poorly, marking the last mainline Splinter Cell game to date, leaving the franchise in a prolonged hiatus that fans are still waiting to see end.
4Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow
A Sequel That Perfected the Formula
Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow
Pandora Tomorrow had the difficult task of following the success of the original Splinter Cell, and it did so by refining the formula rather than reinventing it. The introduction of the “whistling” mechanic, which let Fisher lure enemies into traps, added a brand new layer of depth to the already-tense stealth encounters. Lighting and sound once again played a crucial role, forcing players to stick to shadows and carefully manage movement noise.
The game’s biggest contribution, however, was Spies vs. Mercs, a groundbreaking multiplayer mode that would go on to define Splinter Cell’s competitive scene. Unlike traditional deathmatch modes, this asymmetrical setup pitted nimble spies against heavily-armed mercenaries, creating intense cat-and-mouse gameplay.
Narratively, Pandora Tomorrow had a solid but somewhat forgettable plot involving biological warfare, but it was the gameplay refinements that made it stand out. It proved that Splinter Cell wasn’t a one-hit wonder and solidified its place as a franchise to watch out for.
3Splinter Cell: Double Agent (PS2/Xbox)
The Superior Double Agent
Developed separately from the Xbox 360/PS3 version, this iteration of Double Agent, made by Ubisoft Montreal, offered a more traditional stealth experience. While it shared the same basic premise of Fisher going undercover, its execution was significantly different. Missions retained the open-ended level design from Chaos Theory, and the stealth mechanics were deeper, making it feel like a true successor to the series.
10 Best Stealth Missions in Video Games
Hiding in the bushes. Peeking around corners. Dropping smoke grenades. Stealth missions offer some of the most intense and versatile experiences.
The trust system was also handled better here, with choices that felt more impactful. While the next-gen version leaned into scripted storytelling, this version stayed true to Splinter Cell’s roots, giving players multiple ways to complete objectives and emphasizing methodical gameplay over action-heavy sequences.
The 6th gen console release of Double Agen is not canon, but many fans think that this version remains the better game as it stayed truer to the Splinter Cell formula.
2Splinter Cell
Where It All Began
Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell
The game that introduced players to Sam Fisher’s world, Splinter Cell was a revelation in stealth gaming. Released in 2002, it brought light-and-shadow gameplay to the forefront, using the Unreal Engine to create real-time lighting effects that directly influenced how players approached each mission. Staying hidden in the shadows, literally, was the core mechanic of the game.
Fisher’s arsenal of gadgets, from sticky cameras to optic cables, allowed for unprecedented tactical depth. The story, revolving around cyber warfare and geopolitical espionage, was eerily ahead of its time, setting the stage for a franchise that would explore real-world themes with a sense of authenticity rarely seen in games at the time.
1Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory
The Magnum Opus of the Franchise
Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory
There’s a reason why Chaos Theory is widely regarded as the greatest Splinter Cell game and one of the best stealth games ever made. It took everything that worked in the first two games and perfected it. The light-and-shadow mechanics were more refined than ever, and the AI was brutally intelligent, reacting to sound, light and even bodies left in their path.
The level design reached new heights, offering multiple routes and approaches for every mission. The addition of a combat knife allowed Fisher to execute both lethal and non-lethal takedowns, giving players more flexibility than ever before. Thecooperative campaignwas another standout feature, letting two players work together in some of the most intense stealth sequences ever designed.
Even today, Chaos Theory remains the benchmark for stealth gaming. Its balance of freedom, challenge and tactical depth has yet to be surpassed. For many stealth fans, Chaos Theory wasn’t just the peak of Splinter Cell, but the peak of the entire genre.
