Yesterday we lost an irreplaceable icon. Best-selling author, Tom Clancy passed away at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. He was 66. After having heard the tragic news of Clancy’s passing, we wanted to pay our tribute to him by focusing this fanatical five on the best Tom Clancy games released. Of course, our prayers and blessings goes out to his family.
These games are according to the time of their release and our fanatical passion for them.
1. Splinter Cell: Blacklist
The newest video game on our list, Splinter Cell: Blacklist took everything we love in almost all the Tom Clancy games and brought back the traditional Splinter Cell feel. After the release of Splinter Cell: Conviction, many felt that the series had moved on to a more mainstream crowd, catering less to its traditional stealth-loving fans. In Splinter Cell: Blacklist you have key decisions to make throughout the game, like in other games in the series, but now there have been some huge upgrades/revisions. Revamped cover systems, UAV control, and mark and execute, as well as more precise movements, a great level of difficulty, amazing co-op missions and online, and tons of customization. The flexibility to upgrade Fishers uniform, the plane, and weapons allow gamers to completely customize the game to their play style. Spies vs Mercs is back and even better, with new game types which add an entirely new dynamic to the game.
2. Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter (GRAW)
Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter raised the bar when it came to tactical combat. The gameplay was fluid, the graphics were phenomenal, and the online multiplayer was a ton of fun. It would make you feel like you are in characters boots. Ghost Recon 2 was the old style of first person shooter that the series had always been. We were very skeptical at first, but after our first hands-on with the game, it made perfect sense why the game moved to a third-person view. We were not sure how it would fair compared to what Ghost Recon fans have been used to. The heads up display and the realistic future weapons and equipment, was everything a Tom Clancy fan could ask for. Ubisoft had taken one of our favorite games at the time, and turned it into a masterpiece.
3. Rainbow Six: Vegas
Rainbow Six: Vegas took on the first new look of the series, having gone from the traditional Rainbow Six in Rainbow Six: Critical Hour, to its overhauled look and gameplay in Rainbow Six: Vegas. The biggest difference was the camera setting going from first person to third person when taking cover. This change made playing Rainbow Six: Vegas not just about tactical combat, but also about the environment and played a great deal on the need for situational awareness. The AI was very difficult and at times almost human, which was mind-blowing. We spent countless hours tackling co-op online on realistic mode and struggling for our lives. There were noticeable differences between guns used in Rainbow Six: Vegas, which was not common for its time. And I don’t mean single shot and burst, I mean the guns actually felt different. Commanding your squad is easier than ever. Guiding your squad through confined areas felt rewarding and ambitious. Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 was great, but did not make the list because there was not a substantial difference from the first one. Vegas is the basics that were needed without the fluff. Vegas 2 brought all the fluff that made the game more fun, but was basically the same game.
4. Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory
There has always been the argument with Splinter Cell fans as to which is better, Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow or Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory. This was hard for us to choose, but Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory was a clear victor for a couple of reasons. Chaos Theory had everything that Pandora Tomorrow possessed, however, Chaos Theory had a much better single-player and online co-op. we know it may seem that there is a lot of Splinter Cells on this list, but lets be real. The Splinter Cell series has been the favored child among the Tom Clancy line-up. Splinter Cells have received better graphics, improved systems, better online functionality, and Sam Fisher, the most lovable character in any Tom Clancy series. (Lambert is a close 2nd) Chaos Theory is the most widely nostalgic Tom Clancy game on the market. The storytelling and character development is the reason this game has rose above the rest.
5. Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars
A new direction is never a bad thing, but it is risky. Ubisoft knows that new directions can make or break a game, but as you have read from the above games, it has made much more often the brake. Even with that said, 2011’s Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars was a surprise. The Ghost Recon series has always been a tactical shooter, while this is a turn-based strategy game. When this game was released, it was one of the most refreshing games to come out of the entire Tom Clancy lineup in sometime, even with the polished shooters out there. It’s a more cerebral, more patient kind of action, and that’s why it deserves being among the greats even though it has not been widely accepted.
This was probably the hardest Fanatical Five to date. We are such a huge fans of all things Tom Clancy, so organizing this was extremely difficult. If you feel this list was inaccurate, feel free to to leave comments with what you think we may have missed.
Honorable Mentions:
Splinter Cell: Conviction With a new generation came a whole new set of expectations. Splinter Cell: Double Agent was good, but it was not the game that got people truly excited to see Sam Fisher in HD. Then came a more action-focused Splinter Cell: Conviction. Streamlined stealth mechanics, a new “Mark and Execute” system, and a stylish presentation. Splinter Cell: Conviction is easily one of the most polished games under the Tom Clancy name. Still, it abandoned some series conventions and there was no online play, but it’s definitely a very honorable mention.
Ghost Recon: Jungle Storm This honorable mention is because this is the very first time we was introduced to an online shooter. With clans and a huge community, this game shaped the gamers that we are today. Huge nostalgia factor for those who have played this game.
