Splinter Cell Series

What is the Splinter Cell game series about?

The Splinter Cell series is a tactical stealth-action saga created by Ubisoft, centered around covert operative Sam Fisher, a highly trained field agent working for a secretive NSA division known as Third Echelon (and later Fourth Echelon). The tone is grounded and political and often draws from real-world tech and geopolitics.

The gameplay emphasizes stealth over brute force, sneaking through shadows, hacking surveillance systems, and making split-second decisions to complete missions without detection. Over time, the series added more open-ended level designs and a balance between action and infiltration.

When did the Splinter Cell franchise begin?

The journey started in 2002 with the release of the original Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell on Xbox and PC. It was praised for its groundbreaking lighting systems, immersive stealth mechanics, and realistic spy fantasy. The success led to a string of critically acclaimed follow-ups and positioned Sam Fisher as one of Ubisoft’s most iconic protagonists.

How many Splinter Cell games are there?

There are seven mainline entries in the Splinter Cell catalog. While some spin-offs exist, the core storyline is found in the following titles, listed by release date:

1. Splinter Cell (2002)
2. Pandora Tomorrow (2004)
3. Chaos Theory (2005)
4. Double Agent (2006)
5. Conviction (2010)
6. Blacklist (2013)
7. Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow (2025)

There’s also a Splinter Cell remake currently in development, aiming to modernize the original experience for today’s platforms.

What’s the best way to play the Splinter Cell series?

While each title tells its own contained story, there is a running narrative arc that follows Sam’s personal and professional evolution, from loyal agent to disillusioned rogue and eventually to leader of his unit. For the full picture, it's best to go through the game series in chronological order.

Chronological Splinter Cell timeline:

1. Splinter Cell – Sam Fisher joins Third Echelon to stop data leaks and arms trafficking.
2. Pandora Tomorrow – He’s sent to stop a biological terror threat in Southeast Asia.
3. Chaos Theory – Tensions in East Asia escalate, putting the world on the brink of war.
4. Double Agent – Sam goes undercover in a domestic terror cell after a personal tragedy.
5. Conviction – He operates outside the law, investigating his daughter’s death and corruption inside Third Echelon.
6. Blacklist – Now heading Fourth Echelon, Sam leads a team to stop a terrorist group known as The Engineers.

Although Double Agent had different versions on different consoles (with slightly different story paths), the core events remain consistent across the timeline.

The best Splinter Cell games

Chaos Theory is widely regarded as the high point of the franchise and the best Splinter Cell game, it combined tight level design, deep stealth systems, co-op modes, and memorable missions. Blacklist modernized the formula with fluid mechanics and gave players the freedom to ghost, sneak, or go loud. Conviction brought more cinematic flair and introduced the “Mark & Execute” mechanic that emphasized speed and efficiency.

The original Splinter Cell still holds up well, especially in its upcoming remake, which will introduce current-gen visuals and controls while keeping the stealth-first identity intact.

Most iconic Splinter Cell characters

The narrative is driven by Sam Fisher, a stoic but deeply human character portrayed most memorably by voice actor Michael Ironside. Other important figures include:

• Lambert – Sam’s longtime handler and head of Third Echelon
• Anna Grímsdóttir – Intelligence specialist and moral compass of the team
• Victor Coste – Sam’s trusted friend and ally during Conviction
• Isaac Briggs – A newer operative who joins Sam in Blacklist
• Sarah Fisher – Sam’s daughter, whose fate becomes central to the plot

Their evolving roles highlight the emotional depth and stakes of a world built on secrets and surveillance.

What’s the next Splinter Cell game?

As of March 2025, Ubisoft officially announced a Splinter Cell remake in development. This modern reimagining of the 2002 classic is being built from the ground up using Ubisoft’s Snowdrop engine (used in The Division and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora). It promises to retain the spirit of the original while modernizing the visuals, AI, and controls for new audiences.

Meanwhile, Sam Fisher has appeared in other Ubisoft titles like Rainbow Six Siege and Ghost Recon, teasing his return to the spotlight. Whether it leads to Splinter Cell 7 or a full reboot remains to be seen, but fans of the game franchise have reason to stay hopeful. If you want to learn about any new announcements, check out our gaming news section.