Splinter Cell: Double Agent features Co-op and Spy vs. Spy multiplayer modes -essentially tweaked, three-on-three versions of the acclaimed Chaos Theory multiplayer. With more players per team and less elaborate controls, Double Agent delivers a more polished, more accessible multiplayer experience, though some hardcore players will certainly think it’s been dumbed down. It also creates a little more breathing room for you newcomers who dread being stuck on a team with an indignant hardcore player who will spend the match wallowing in frustration at your noobitude.

It is worth noting that Splinter Cell: Double Agent on Xbox is not the same game as its counterpart on Xbox 360. The 360 version is better in myriad ways, but the major difference is in the mission structure. While the 360 version features open environments and greater mission flexibility, the Xbox version is more traditionally linear and with more limited mission freedom.

The good news is that the Xbox version is still an awesome game, and is much better than the PS2 and GameCube versions. These two versions actually feature different level design than the Xbox, presumably to avoid rendering graphically complex environments that only the Xbox can pull off.