I take my statement back.
Let's just say that seeing "choice" mentioned with the first 2 Splinter Cell games gave me a fit over how gamers nowadays are satisfied with so on-rails-like, scripted and cornered games. Granted, the Splinter Cell games were enjoyble, sort of a movie-like experience. I didn't however like the forced restrictions of alarms, the obstacle courses titled levels, etc; SC and PT "featured". For godsakes look at precursor stealth games; Thief, Deus Ex, Metal Gear, Tenchu, and how they handled choice and freedom.