Splinter Cell is a third-person action game with a focus on stealth, similar to the Metal Gear Solid series. The player takes on the role of Sam Fisher, an operative for the secret organization NSA Black Operation, part of the U.S. government.
The player must use various moves such as walking, running, crouching, jumping, rappelling, and using zip cords to get around and reach objectives. There are different ways to take out enemies, including using weapons, but this can often alert guards and make it harder to complete missions. Alternatively, opponents can be stunned, killed, or subdued.
Other features include the ability to peek through doors before entering, use an optic cable camera to check ahead, and use night vision and thermal goggles to see in the dark. The focus is on stealth, so players are encouraged to avoid danger by sneaking through shadows and hiding behind objects. Fisher has access to a light meter to check how visible he is.
The game was released for the Xbox on November 29, 2002, and also came out for PC, PS2, and GameCube. Each version has some exclusive features, such as additional downloadable missions, exclusive levels, and items like binoculars and sticky bombs.