1. Multiplayer
Though I was initially cynical about the introduction of multiplayer in earlier Splinter Cell games, they have proven that it is a worthy addition, and not a poor mode cynically thrown together to try and stop people from trading the game in. Firstly, there's co-op mode, which sees you running around, performing missions with another spy, and while it requires more patience and planning than a solo run, there's an undeniable pleasure in teaming up and co-ordinating your actions for maximum effectiveness. However, the icing on the cake is Spies vs. Mercs, the hugely popular mode that was depressingly missing from Conviction. Spies are in the regular third-person perspective, but Mercs are placed into a first-person view, and though this has the potential to get very clunky, it's exceptionally executed, making for a diverse and extremely entertaining time regardless of what side you end up on. If it sacrifices a little of the gut-wrenching anxiety in the place of a snappy, frenetic pace, it's still one of the best multiplayer offerings to come along all year. If Ubisoft are thinking straight, Spies vs. Mercs should appear in every Splinter Cell game until the end of time. Are you picking up Blacklist? What do you think of what you've seen so far? Let us know in the comments below.