Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell is a 2002 stealth game developed by Ubisoft Montreal, introducing Sam Fisher, a covert operative for the fictional NSA branch Third Echelon, sent to infiltrate hostile sites and prevent an international crisis originating in the former Soviet republic of Georgia. It became a defining stealth series alongside its contemporaries.
Gameplay revolved around light and shadow, with players slipping through darkness, shooting out lights, and using gadgets, night-vision goggles and acrobatic moves like the split jump to avoid or silently subdue guards. Levels demanded patience and observation, and alarms could trigger mission failure, so staying unseen was paramount. Its emphasis on stealth over combat distinguished it from action-heavy rivals.
Splinter Cell launched one of stealth gaming's most respected franchises and helped popularize dynamic lighting-based sneaking, showcasing the graphical power of the original Xbox. The original is available through digital storefronts and remains a strong showcase of the shadow-and-light approach.
Play it today
Modern alternatives to Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell, with the devices they run on and their price. Ordered editorially by how well each one stands in for the original, with community votes weighted in as they accumulate.
Prices, platform availability and Steam Deck compatibility can change at any time. Always check the store page before buying.
Gloomwood Indie
€ 19,99An indie first-person stealth game inspired by shadow-based sneaking.
Gloomwood runs on PC. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. It is Steam Deck Verified.
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Blacklist
€ 29,99A modern stealth-action entry in the series.
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Blacklist runs on PC, PlayStation, Xbox. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, Switch. It is Steam Deck Playable.
Intravenous 2 Indie
€ 19,99An indie top-down stealth game built around shadows and gadgets.
Intravenous 2 runs on PC. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. It is Steam Deck Playable.
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