Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow

PGNx Media (8.5 out of 10)

Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow for GBA improves on the original Splinter Cell by adding more moves and a design more similar to the original console version (not Pandora Tomorrow and its multiplayer-oriented gameplay). Although not quite as surprising as it was last year (I don’t think anyone expected a handheld Splinter Cell to be that good), it’s still a solid experience.

Game Informer Magazine (8 out of 10)

Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow is much like how I imagine real espionage (that doesn't involve sneaking past elderly canines) must be: often it's frustrating, but overall it's a worthwhile experience that's unlike anything else.

64 Power / big.N / N Games (80 out of 100)

Pandora Tomorrow spielt sich auf dem GBA etwa wie der Vorgänger, nur doppelt so hart. Dennoch macht das Spiel wieder verdammt viel Spaß, weil Ubi Soft die ursprüngliche Story inklusive Originalmissionen sehr gut in 2D verpackt hat. Etwas ärgerlich ist das Fehlen des innovativen Multiplayer-Modus, der sich sicher auch auf dem GBA hätte Umsetzen lassen. Technisch sieht die GBA-Version hervorragend aus, bietet einen gelungenen Ton und lässt sich schön steuern. Alles in allem eine Empfehlung für Spieler mit einer hohen Frusttoleranz, die den Vorgänger schon besitzen. Splinter Cell- Neulinge hingegen sind mit dem Erstling besser bedient.

Nintendo Difference (16 out of 20)

Splinter Cell : Pandora Tomorrow est une belle suite qui a su tirer profit des erreurs du passé en proposant des améliorations toutes judicieuses. Ce jeu plaira aux fans autant qu’aux novices. Du très bon Ubi Soft (sans doute le meilleur développeur au monde ces temps-ci).

Computer and Video Games (CVG) (7.9 out of 10)

Chances are this whole thing will come into its own with the eventual release of the Cube version (still TBC). The first GBA version provided additional features to Cube's and vice-versa, so expect the same to be true again. However, since the Cube one isn't around, we'll have to wait and see if this turns out to be true. Meantime, if you're looking for a great GBA puzzle/platformer try Tomb Raider: The Prophecy or Sabre Wulf instead.

Jeuxvideo.com (15 out of 20)

La nouvelle aventure de notre grand ami Sam comble les attentes enfiévrées d'un public avide d'infiltration et de lunettes de vision nocturne au sifflement strident. Bénéficiant d'un gameplay jouissif, car proposant un nombre imposant d'actions diverses, et d'un background addictif, mettant en scène le héros solitaire détenant en ses mains le sort de la planète, ce nouvel opus de la série à succès d'Ubisoft ajoute une nouvelle dimension au jeu d'action sur portable. Dommage que quelques petites erreurs facilement dispensables soient venues ternir ce tableau idyllique. Un bon jeu, qui sincèrement a sa place dans votre ludothèque si tant est que ses menus défauts ne vous rebutent pas. En pleine lumière, bien sûr !

Game Informer Magazine (7 out of 10)

Without the amazing light and shadow effects of the console, this side-scroller leaves you with an unsophisticated stealth experience - which is just inherent in 2D, handheld gameplay. The combat was also basic. I'll leave the NSA dirty business to Sam Fisher, while I search for more patently exciting fare.

NintendoWorldReport (7 out of 10)

Oh, what might have been. This game has excellent graphics, sound, and music, but is plagued by repetitive gameplay and sub-par level design. The boatload of stealth techniques are great but are too often required for no good reason. Pandora Tomorrow is an excellent rental, but not really worthy of a purchase.

GamePro (US) ( )

Even though Pandora Tomorrow looks and feels a lot like Pandora Yesterday, that doesn't mean it's not a good game. A little slow, a little frustrating, sure, but still fun.

IGN (7 out of 10)

Last year we were excited just how much UbiSoft put into the Game Boy Advance version of Splinter Cell. This year, we're just a little underwhelmed that the sequel is a slight update to last year's game. There are definite improvements to the design, sure. But the weaknesses of the original game shine through even more strongly in Pandora Tomorrow. Even with that said, though, the GBA sequel is an enjoyable, challenging stealth game that won't be a simple cakewalk to complete.

Game Over Online (66 out of 100)

Pandora Tomorrow is a slight improvement over the original Splinter Cell. If it weren’t for the bio-terror storyline, you might mistake this product for an expansion pack to the original Game Boy Advance title. This title is not as groundbreaking as it is to other platforms simply because the audio-visuals haven’t taken a jump on Nintendo’s handheld. One thing that I always appreciate about this Ubi Soft franchise is their functional use of visual improvements. They actually add to the gameplay rather than simply make the game look prettier. More graphical improvements mean more shadows to hide under, more ways to evade detection and distract people. Lacking these qualities, the handheld version of Pandora Tomorrow is less intense and not as spectacular as its brethren.

Video Game Generation (6.5 out of 10)

You can only do so much in 2D, and Ubisoft did about as much as possible in bringing the essential Splinter Cell elements to the platform. This game’s a solid purchase for Clancy fans, but I can’t shake the feeling that I would have scored it several points lower if I didn’t already love the franchise.

Wham! gaming (6.2 out of 10)

Overall the game is done well, but that’s mostly because this game is almost the same as its previous version released last year with minor upgrades. There are new features added like mini-games and such, but overall Ubisoft don’t appear to have tried to innovate as much on this new version as they did the first time around. They actually did the same thing on the console version, but supplemented it with some awesome new multiplayer options that upped the ante. If there was a system link multiplayer available, or something that really set this apart from its previous incarnation, it would have really increased the cool-factor, but instead we’re left with a slightly upgraded version of last years game. If you didn’t play that one, and you’re willing to adapt to a side-scrolling stealth game, then give it a try, as it is a fun game if you’re patient enough.

GameSpot (6.2 out of 10)

The game basically controls well and looks good, but it's difficult to the point of excess, and it has no lasting appeal once you get through its nine tough missions.

Worth Playing (6 out of 10)

Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow is not a love/hate title in the slightest – it is mediocre in every sense of the word. Some things work right, while the broad scope of things is a failure. Side-scrolling stealth simply does not work. The lack of a multiplayer component doesn’t help things. The console versions got their multiplayer shot-in-the-arm, so why not something similar for handhelds? Nokia’s N-Gage somehow did get a multiplayer Splinter Cell title, making the lack of link-up support in Pandora Tomorrow GBA even more perplexing. The graphics aren’t bad, but they haven’t changed at all since last year’s GBA release. All in all, Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow is just a quick upgrade of the first Splinter Cell, and one that plays worse in the end, thanks to a greater focus on stealth.

Mygamer.com (6 out of 10)

The bottom line is, if you played the first Splinter Cell on GBA, there is absolutely no need to play Pandora Tomorrow as it is the same game. Ubi Soft got extremely lazy when they made this game because they only added a couple new moves and a few more mini games. Plus, without multiplayer, it just seems like this game was made with the least bit of interest. This game is just like the previous one, but with a new title. Ubi Soft losses major points for not improving or even trying to enhance their game play in any way. However, if you must play a Splinter Cell, play it for the Xbox or PC because Sam Fisher does not belong in a side scrolling 2D environment. Stealth in 2D just does not work that well. However, the GBA's Pandora Tomorrow is better than the previous version.

GameSpy ( )

Unlike PS2 and GameCube owners, the handheld crowd won't have to wait until the summer to tackle Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow. Unfortunately, most of them will be long tired of it by the time the game ships for those other consoles. At first, the billion movements Sam can do and the stealth action will make you and your thumbs very happy, but you'll soon grow tired of the game's intentionally slowed pace. Stealth action titles have been some of console gaming's best, so hopefully someone will eventually figure out a way to make it work on a handheld. Pandora Tomorrow tries, but ultimately fails.