Netflix's Splinter Cell: How It Fits the Games

I consider myself the most dedicated Splinter Cell enthusiast I've ever met. Over my ten years at Official Xbox Magazine early in my career, I reviewed every installment except the very first one. I also covered the only title released since I joined IGN 13 years ago. So, I believe I can confidently say this on behalf of most fans: Splinter Cell fans have developed a uniquely patient, if not masochistic, streak. After all, Ubisoft, the franchise owner, continues to feature series hero and seasoned super-spy Sam Fisher in almost everything except a proper new game of his own. Despite his cameo appearances in recent titles like Rainbow Six Siege, Ghost Recon Wildlands, and the ill-fated XDefiant, it's been a full 13 years since our last solo Sam Fisher adventure in Splinter Cell: Blacklist. In theory, a new project is underway–a ground-up remake of the original Splinter Cell at Ubisoft Toronto, built on the modern Snowdrop engine. But we're nearing the four-year mark since its announcement, which was accompanied by only three pieces of concept art. Let that sink in: we didn't even get a teaser trailer. And there has been absolutely no new information since.

So, I was genuinely thrilled when Netflix announced a new animated series titled Splinter Cell: Deathwatch. Dare I say, I'm even feeling optimistic, especially since the showrunner is Derek Kolstad, the creator of the John Wick franchise. It's still not a new game, obviously, but if this series turns out to be genuinely good, it might just spark enough renewed interest in Splinter Cell to finally push Ubisoft into high gear on that Splinter Cell 1 remake or kick-start development on a brand-new Sam Fisher adventure.

My optimism grew further after seeing the first trailer. For me, the iconic voice of Sam Fisher will always belong to the legendary Michael Ironside (his absence in Blacklist remains a sticking point for me in an otherwise brilliant game). But if the veteran actor has moved on from the role, then casting Liev Schreiber as his replacement feels like an inspired choice. "I was a huge fan of [Ironside]," Kolstad shared with IGN in our recent Splinter Cell: Blackwatch digital cover story. "Ultimately, the decision was, 'If we're planning a long-running series, they wanted a fresh vocal direction.' Many talented actors were considered for the part." The teaser trailer revealed a Sam Fisher who has aged past his middle-years. This is an older, wearier Sam. "We've seen this archetype before in films like 'Logan,' but in many ways, this is my 'Unforgiven'," Kolstad explained. "It's that classic 'one last job' trope from the thrillers of the 70s, and it was an absolute joy to write." Naturally, my superfan brain immediately jumped to the question: "So, wait... does this series fit into the established game universe?"

Longtime ally turned arch-nemesis Douglas Shetland, a pivotal character from Chaos Theory's storyline, plays a significant role in the events of Season One, set decades after his demise.

I sought a direct answer from Ubisoft, and the response was affirmative: yes, Splinter Cell: Deathwatch is considered canonical to the six mainline games (or seven, if you include Splinter Cell Essentials on the PSP, which, for the record, I reviewed for PSM Magazine). A Ubisoft spokesperson confirmed that the series "follows the timeline and characters established by the mainline games." However, they added that "while Deathwatch respects the source material, certain creative liberties were taken with specific events for the television adaptation." To put this in spoiler-free terms–and as you might have guessed, I am reviewing Deathwatch–this means that some key story events from the games follow a different journey but arrive at the same destination. The outcome remains consistent, but the path taken has been altered. "Even though we reference elements from that game, the changes are hopefully subtle enough that dedicated fans won't be troubled by them," Kolstad noted. One could argue that with so much time having passed since the last game release, even the most hardcore Splinter Cell fan watching Deathwatch might not recall the exact details of specific incidents. But ultimately, that's a judgment my fellow superfans will have to make for themselves.

In Deathwatch, we find a retired Sam Fisher–still remarkably capable and now sporting a man-bun–who long ago handed over control of Fourth Echelon to an older and wiser Anna Grímsdóttir (Grim). Sam and Grim haven't spoken in years, but when they reconnect, their deep, trust-based bond is immediately evident. As the series begins, Fourth Echelon itself is a fading relic struggling to maintain relevance many years after Sam's departure, though the events of the Netflix show, as you'd expect, change that status quo. Meanwhile, the shadow of Douglas Shetland, Sam's former ally turned ultimate adversary and a crucial figure in the narrative of Chaos Theory, looms large over the events of Season One, despite his death occurring decades prior.

This might lead you to wonder, "Do I need to play or replay the Splinter Cell games to fully appreciate the Deathwatch series?" Honestly, the answer is no. You probably won't gain a significantly deeper understanding by marathon-gaming the series before the show's October 14th release compared to someone who has never played the games or hasn't touched them in over a decade. That said, you will encounter a few sights and sounds–like the distinct auditory click of the iconic tri-lens night vision goggles powering up, lifted straight from the games–that are sure to trigger a wave of nostalgic joy, no matter how long it's been since your last Splinter Cell mission.