The complexity of the narrative is razor thin, far more generic compared to later entries like Chaos Theory, or even Pandora Tomorrow. This is without even taking into account the game's inherent design, which doesn't match the quality of later games in the series.
That's assuming players can even play the game on a modern platform: The PC port requires several fan-made patches to work, while emulation is the only viable option for older platforms. The lighting systems and graphics, close quarters combat and interrogation, movement, among other issues, are incredibly finicky and lacking the greater degree of polish applied to future games in the series.
While it was still a formative stealth game for the time, mechanically speaking, playing Splinter Cell in 2021 is a clunky and awkward experience. The first Splinter Cell game from 2002 is a prime example of a game that has not particularly aged well, on almost all platforms. RELATED: New Splinter Cell Game Could Be Announced in 2022 Many of the games in the Splinter Cell franchise are some of the best stealth games of all time, even if a few of the titles in the Splinter Cell catalog have definitely not aged well compared to modern games. In the meantime, fans may consider going back to legacy Splinter Cell games to enjoy some traditional stealth action to help tide fans over. Of course, given that all reports of this Splinter Cell game state that it's in an early development phase, the next game may not release for at least another few years. With reports of a new title in the works, fans will undoubtedly be excited that one of the greatest stealth franchises could receive a modernized take. While Metal Gear Survive might have been the proverbial nail in the coffin for Konami's stealth franchise, there's certainly still potential for another entry in the Splinter Cell series. Both franchises have been holding it down until the last decade with the Metal Gear Solid franchise presumably retired after Kojima left Konami, and Ubisoft putting Splinter Cell on indefinite hiatus since 2013. Many fans miss the Ubisoft traditional stealth franchise that used to ride alongside Metal Gear Solid when it came to AAA stealth-first action games.
Not a year goes by where fans don't ask for another Splinter Cellgame, understandably so.