Game release delays are nothing unusual, but Ubisoft's "Splinter Cell: Conviction," once tagged to debut in 2007, now occupies a calendar slot in the first quarter of 2010. The recession and recent console price drops have both impacted the marketplace, and publishers are hoping that the latter will have a positive effect going into the new year. But even with that extra help, Ubisoft's head expects that some games my drift further into the future.

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A disappointing loss for the holiday season: "Splinter Cell: Conviction," Ubisoft's 360-exclusive revival of the "Splinter Cell" franchise, has been officially delayed to 2010. Also delayed to that time period is "Red Steel 2," the sword-fighting, gun-slinging sequel to the Wii launch title.

I just got off the phone with an Ubisoft rep who confirmed that both titles have been delayed to Ubisoft's fiscal Q4, which begins in January and ends in March of next year. Here's the reason they're giving for the delay: "We strongly feel that the extra time will make it possible to present fans with a level of polish that will live up to our ambitions and their expectations." In short, it ain't ready yet.

No word yet on any other delays, but I'll keep you posted.

I first saw "Splinter Cell: Conviction" in 2007. Back then it was a pretty radical departure for the franchise, placing super spy Sam Fisher out in the open, requiring him to use crowds and chaos to take control of a situation. If that sounds familiar, you probably played "Assassins Creed," and you probably understand why "Splinter Cell: Conviction" left the public eye for two years. Thankfully E3 2009 saw the return of ol' Sam, and my time with his new adventure left me desperately wanting more. In fact, it was my game of the show.

"Splinter Cell: Conviction" is set around the events after Sam Fisher's daughter is killed in a suspicious car crash. Sam is rightfully pretty pissed about the whole thing and basically goes on a bloody quest to take down the folks responsible. The game still has a big focus on stealth, requiring you to use guerrilla tactics to get the jump on your foes, but Sam has a lot more tools in his belt.

What It's Doing Right

Speedy Sam
Although Sam has always been deadly, when it came to moving about his world, he was pretty slow and plodding. In "Conviction," he moves much faster, with a smoothness that you'd expect to see from a trained spec-ops ninja. He can slide along walls, run while crouched and leap into open windows with the grace of Altair, and such fleet-footedness makes getting out of sticky situations much more natural.

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