I remember playing this gem across multiple platforms, from the demo on original Xbox to the full release on Xbox, PS2 and most recently the PC port. Still one of the most fun stealth games, truly deserves preservation and TLC for running on modern hardware- Steam version (of course) requires following a guide or two to make it run/look/control as it should, bit of a mess.
That aside.
It's the way the game gives you quite a few tools to choose from and let's you find your own approach rather than holding your hand. You can completely ignore optional or secondary objectives, interrogate people for some hilarious interactions or choose not to, hack/eavsdrop with EEV or ignore the EEV and be more up close and personal. The friendships between everyone on the 3rd echelon team in this game lays the groundwork for later titles, everything felt more stoic in the first two titles whereas in this one you get the sense they've all known each other a long time and their friendships are a bit more personal than just colleagues.
I get the sense this game was a labor of love all-around, it is still one of the best titles ever developed by Ubisoft imo. I'm still upset we haven't gotten a new Splinter Cell in 12 years, though, if they do revive the franchise they need to bring back Michael Ironside as Sam..
Can't pull the wool over my own eyes (or ears i guess), it's not really Sam without Michael Ironside..