Splinter Cell Fee-Based Video Tutorial Launched

The walkthrough experts at Prima have added Splinter Cell Double Agent to the list of games getting the video tutorial treatment on the Xbox Live Marketplace.  The video costs 100 Microsoft points and takes you through the Ellsworth level of SCDA, from beginning to end.

Having already completed the level, I downloaded the video to get a sense of what is being offered for $1.25.  As it turns out, the walkthrough is well narrated and fairly detailed.  If you're into the walkthrough thing, you can't beat seeing a full screen video of the action.

I don't see, though, why you couldn't just get this information from a friend or the internet.  I happen not to be a great stealth player, and i completed the Ellsworth level without too much heartache.  Splinter Cell games can be notoriously frustrating, until you understand the "right" way to complete a mission, but it is satisfying to learn as you go, and the skills you pick up in learning the game can make later levels easier to complete.  I would imagine using too many walkthroughs would take some of the fun out of the game and make you dependent on them as the game gets tougher.

I suppose an occasional hint for a level you can't figure out can make the game more fun than painful, but I think there are better ways to get help than to pay $1.25 per chapter.