I honestly donโt understand the wave of negative ratings โ because I genuinely enjoyed Splinter Cell: Deathwatch. After more than twelve years, seeing Sam Fisher return was a real treat, and he didnโt disappoint.
The story felt a little shallow at times, but not in a way that ruined the experience. Zinnia McKenna, the new Splinter Cell operative, was a great addition โ sharp, capable, and convincingly badass.
My only real gripe is the way Anna Grรญmsdรณttir was portrayed. Sheโs always been one of the most iconic and strong female characters in the series, and here she felt unnecessarily aged and sidelined. It took away a bit of her edge.
Also, while there was plenty of action, I did miss the classic Splinter Cell-style missions โ the stealth-driven, nerve-tight gameplay of Chaos Theory, Conviction, or Blacklist. Deathwatch leans more into the โveteran spy thrillerโ tone than the traditional stealth-action formula.
That said, I still found it to be a solid and enjoyable entry โ not perfect, but a worthy return for Sam Fisher.