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Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory
 Developer: Ubisoft
Publisher: Ubisoft
Category: stealth
Platform: X-Box with Live enabled
Might look like: Splinter Cell Pandora T
Date posted: 10 August 2005
Written By: Bjorn
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Sam is back ... bigger then before
I must admit, I'm not your average fanatic stealth gamer that you might wish before you read this review of 'another' stealth/combat/sneak game.
But nevertheless I do care a lot for the genre. At least if the developer added some new ideas to the game.
One game I played to death was the original first "Thief: The Dark Project" game, way back on PC. I adored it and at that time, those games were really my cup of tea. Starting in the evening to the early mornings, playing in a totally dark room with just one light source ... your monitor, it was highly entertaining and addictive. That was one of those games that you couldn't resist playing, wanting to progress everytime a bit further and further. Publisher "Eidos" and the developer "Looking Glass Studios" made history with that game and from that time, stealth games became more demanding.
And then later, came Splinter Cell. A totally new approach to the stealth genre with main character 'Sam Fisher', using high advanced technologies, either weapon based or stealth based, Sam Fisher was a verb. He was the man, the man that couldn't be beaten in the stealth genre.
After 2 rather succesfull games, Ubisoft's Montreal decides to get back into the development studios and re-created and re-invented the Splinter Cell game under an appropriate name: "Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory".
Games with 2 sequels or more (Tombraider, ...) are basically milked and nothing new has been added. Just another way to make some cash on behalf of gamers.
But with this new Splinter Cell game ... 3-in-a-row might be just what the doctor ordered.
In other words ... Splinter Cell can only be better ... and bigger.
Fixing the ...
This third installment of the Splinter Cell series is somehow special. Ubisoft's Montreal development team went straight back into the studio and re-created the entire game from scratch. Everything that gamers had been complaining about regarding the two previous games has been fixed or should be.
You can basically now play the game with as much stealth that you want. Or if you want direct action, shooting everything to pieces ... it's possible as well.
Starting from the end in Episode two, 'Pandora Tomorrow', it's again Sam Fisher who plays the leading role and once again, you must infiltrate into hostile territories. Making good use of your own advanced high-tech equipment and collect critical intelligence is again one of your top priorities.
Basically ... nothing new here under the hood.
But don't fear, stealth gamers, Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory has many issues fixed.
The biggest one is less trial-and-error. Hence, it doesn't exist at all. In the two previous games, which all looked amazing to me, one of its biggest flaws with that there was a lot of trail-and-error. If you haven't hide the body that you just killed into the darkest shadow or tripped an alarm, it was game-over and you had to restart.
I guess a lot of gamers have cursed that, especially since stealth games are progressing very very slowly.
Now in Chaos Theory even when you triggered an alarm or stumbled in front of a camera, the game moves on. You will still receive a penalty for triggering some alarms but the game is far more playable then ever.
And now your success in missions isn't depending anymore on your stealth skills. You have more freedom in how to approach a certain situation wether you want to go stealth or kill them one by one, it's really up to you. That adds a totally new area for the gameplay of the game.
  
Even alternate paths can be taken to your mission objective(s) so that you avoid any difficult situation. The game is far more replayable as well since like I said before, you can replay a level by playing through its several paths. Everytime you play the game it will be new and fresh.
A lot of improvement has also been made in designing the levels. Previous games were forcing you to go through the traps, alarms, cameras etc and it was up to you to figure out how to pass them. Now the levels are far better and with multiple paths, you aren't being forced anymore to go somewhere. Go where you want and see what happens.
More gameplay features
As always, Splinter Cell games features bunch of high tech equipment, advanced sneak approachings and lots more. Chaos Theory is not different. The game features even more special techniques and moves so you'll be busy for some time.
Sam has all the vision 'toys' we know such as night sight, thermal and of course EMF. He will also be happy if you slice an enemy's throat with his knife. Sam can also perform neck breaks on unsuspecting baddies.
Of course while this is still an action packed game, it's basically more stealth and sneaking then before. Gamers who are willing a shoot-to-kill game may not be interested in SC at all. For this game you need patience, sometimes a lot of patience and wait until you find the right moment to attack. And when you do, do it good without being noticed or trigger an alarm.
Yes sir, Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory is a game where you play, according to the situations you run into.
  
Graphics and Sound /FX
This third installment is by far the best one in terms of graphics and sound/effects.
Ubisoft Montreal has really outdone themselfes in creating this latest Splinter Cell game. Even when the game is mostly played in dark environments, the textures are still beautiful! Lights, candles and other light sources are always present and make the textures and other scenery worth looking at. It looks incredible on X-Box and it definitely the best version of all platforms.
Your main character, Sam Fisher is even better animated then before and every move he does is fluid. Enemies are realistic rendered, even when they are still alive or dead.
Graphically, this game sure beat most of the other stealth games that are now on todays game market for Microsoft's X-Box.
All of the Splinter Cell games were heavenly focused on sound and effects. Normal, since in a stealth game where sneaking around is your main task, sound and effects are very very important. Even when you hear some noise, it can be important in how your react to it.
All the dialogue and story scenes have full voice so you won't see any dialogue without hearing somebody speak!.
The soundtrack, which was done entirely by Amon Tobin rocks! It definitley fits the genre and it changes according to what is going on. Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory also features a "noise meter" which means if you are making too much noise (for example stepping into water) you could get busted! However since it also tracks environmental noise you can make noise as long as the environmental noise is high enough to hide yourself.
Whistle to lure an enemy into the shadows so that you can 'take' him out is a possibility and adds a great enhancement to the gameplay.
Multiplayer & Co-Op in Splinter Cell
Besides the amazing single-player experience, 'Splinter Cell Chaos Theory' also features excellent multiplayer modes.
One of them is the pretty good worked out 'Co-Op' mode where you and a mate play together in co-op on splitscreen, Xbox Live or just by system link.
Besides the single-player levels, Ubisoft Montreal also added specific Co-Op Multiplayer levels where teamwork is a necessity. You and your mate can perform special moves such as lowering your partner down on a rope, forming human ladders, etc. Controlling each other in Co-Op is fair simple. When you reach a point where Co-Op is needed, one player just needs to press the black button to start it while the other need to press the black button again to complete the Co-Op.
And yes, you don't have to sneak all the way ... playing it half as a Rambo-wannabee works too!
The other Multiplayer mode is the so called 'Spies Vs Mercenaries' from the "Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow" game. The MP mode everybody loved from Pandora Tomorrow is back in this installment with even bigger levels and more interactivity. New moves are included such as a spinning attack for the Mercenaries and an optical camouflage for the Spies. It's third person perspective multiplayer mode where you can play deathmatch, disk hunt and a story mode where only new sections of the map will open up once you have completed your objectives.
Ubisoft Montreal also made sure that you can only go LIVE "AFTER" you completed the full training mode. Without completing training you can't go online. This ensures that everyone that goes online for some Splinter Cell MP love will absolutely know what they are doing which makes it far more enjoyable.
Conclusion
While I'm not the biggest stealth/sneak fan out there, I must honestly admit that I enjoyed "Spinter Cell: Chaos Theory" a lot!
It's a different approach to playing a game while comparing it to action packed games and I enjoyed it.
Ubisoft Montreal pushed the graphics to its top since while the game is mostly set into dark environments, the textures are still beautiful rendered, with light sources and candles everywhere.
Soundtrack composed by Amon Tobin is top notch and so are the effects. Effects play a great role in getting the atmosphere right and Splinter Cell CT does it just ... right. Creating a terrific dark atmosphere where you'll sometimes just sit on the top of your seat in suspense is absolutely great.
Chaos Theory also features good multiplayer modes and especially with XBox Live enabled, you'll have plenty of fun with your mates.
Sam Fisher is back with his greatest and biggest adventure and everything that was broken in the two previous games has been fixed so ... stealth gamers ... this is YOUR game you've been waiting for!
-Bjorn
Ratings
Manual:
/ % |
Graphics:
93% |
Music & Sfx:
90% |
GamePlay:
92% |
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This game scores
 
on our 5-point Rating System
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