The first images have appeared online, presumably of an early version of the remake. cell division. If the information is to be believed, Sam Fisher Returns fans will finally have a chance to see not the latest concept art, but straight-up recreations of the game’s locations.
The remake of the original Splinter Cell has officially been unveiled Ubisoft Back to 2021. Ubisoft Toronto is working on the project, and the game has been created almost from scratch using the modern Snowdrop engine. Although about five years have passed since the announcement, the developers are extremely reluctant to reveal details. In the interim, fans have been treated to mostly concept images and occasional comments about production progress.
At the same time, Ubisoft has stressed from the beginning that it won’t turn its classic stealth action game into just another open-world game. The basis of the remake should retain the linear structure of the original and the hidden passages, while modern technology will significantly improve the artificial intelligence of opponents, lighting, sound and animation.
Players now have a reason to discuss the direct representation of this concept in the game.
According to MP1st, several images were discovered in the portfolio of a developer who had previously been involved in the creation of the project. Presumably, these materials date back to at least 2024, so you shouldn’t consider them as a demonstration of the remake’s current state just yet.
In the footage, you can see Tbilisi, one of the key locations from the original Splinter Cell. Sam Fisher comes here to investigate the disappearance of two CIA employees. Judging from the released images, Ubisoft has taken great care in recreating the familiar atmosphere of this mission.
The streets are littered with courtyards, shops, graffiti, signs and political propaganda. The environments look more detailed than those in the 2002 game, but still retain the original’s recognizable architecture and political backdrop.
Interestingly, some of the lenses appear to be quite light. This may seem strange to fans of the series, as the original mission in Tbilisi was largely built around nighttime infiltration and using darkness as Sam’s primary tool. However, this is most likely not a full demo of the gameplay, but an image of the environmental technology produced during the development phase. Therefore, it’s too early to judge final coverage based on them.
The details sprinkled throughout the location look more interesting. Some of the posters appear to date from 2004, which would match the time period of the original Splinter Cell. Among other images, you can see promotional material related to Georgian President Kombain Nikoladze, the main antagonist of the first game.
Also surrounding were announcements about police reform and the fight against corruption. So it seems like Ubisoft isn’t just using the name of a familiar location, but is trying to preserve its political and story context.
There is also a small Easter egg in Russian in the material. Its content actually teases players, suggesting they stop looking for hidden meanings and keep playing. Details like this could indicate that the developers are adding new elements to the world without destroying the foundation of the original.
This may be the main reason for optimism. So far, there’s been no sign of a complete overhaul of the first Splinter Cell. In contrast, the earlier material shows familiar places, people, and political context, but with a modern level of detail.
For a series that has always relied on shadows, lights, gadgets, and clever level movement, this approach seems logical. Ubisoft has previously stated that stealth will remain one of the main tenets of the remake, so more detailed environments should not replace the old mode but rather expand its capabilities.
However, you should still handle leaks with caution. If these images were indeed created in 2024, development may have progressed significantly since then. Models, textures, lighting, animations, and even single level design elements may change.
Additionally, Ubisoft has yet to announce a release date for the remake. As such, the released footage merely provides a rare opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at the project, rather than allowing us to draw final conclusions about the quality of the future game.
However, after a few years of lull in near-complete information, even this early version of Tbilisi looks more meaningful than other concept art choices. If Ubisoft is serious about following through and modernizing Splinter Cell without destroying the functionality of the original, Sam Fisher’s return could be the moment fans of the remake have been waiting for.
