[bwebb]

Bit-Tech just posted an interesting preview of <a href=http://www.bit-tech.net/gaming/2006/03/23/splinter_cell_preview_pc_psp/3.html>Splinter Cell: Double Agent</a> along with a look at the upcoming Splinter Cell Essentials slated to release March 31st for the PSP.

Ubisoft, the game's publisher, is hoping to mix it up a little with the next in the series, and wants to shake us out of our Sam-Fisher-Comfort-Zone. With diverse gameplay types and a shift in focus, the new Splinter Cell, out in September, could well be a surprise to gamers everywhere. However, not content with new versions for consoles and PC, Ubisoft is also putting out a PSP version of the game for portable sneaking.

You will be given choices to make in-game, and those choices will affect the course of the story - think Knights of the Old Republic or even Deus Ex.

(PSP)The game is titled Splinter Cell Essentials, and contains nine maps, seven of which are new and two of which we've seen before. The game takes place in quite a wide timescale, with one of the missions taking place before Sam has even joined the NSA, and some of the missions taking place in the same timeframe and storyline as Double Agent.

The possible replayability that this game offers has me drooling already. If Double Agent turns out anything like previous Splinter Cell titles, I'll be doing the happy dance as I pull off some split jumps in High Def. It'll be interesting to see whether or not the interface changes for the PSP version affect gameplay.