Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Chaos Theory

The world is in turmoil, as usual, but it doesn’t seem to faze the man in the skin-tight black stealth suit as he slides down a rusted metal pipe that leads to a battered lighthouse. He has a job to do and while it might not be pretty or even recognized by the very people he has sworn to protect, it is a job he does not fail to complete. And as he grabs a hold of a hired mercenary that smells of sweat, his knife’s blade resting across the terrorist’s soft neck, he comes to realize that if he fails his own country will feel the wrath of a very unique terrorist threat. The man’s name is Sam Fisher and this is Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory - the third game in the Splinter Cell saga.

We’ve seen Fisher in far worse situations before in the first game and then in Pandora Tomorrow, but in Chaos Theory he faces off against terrorist with a unique weapon of mass destruction. It seems that a brilliant computer programmer has disappeared and the bad news is that he holds the key to an algorithm that could pretty much cause massive blackouts of major cities, crash the stock markets with a single key stroke or even allow terrorists to control ballistic missiles. Worse yet, Japan creates an illegal Information Self-Defense Force that has China and North Korea quite nervous. Sensing a disastrous international incident, Third Echelon seasoned field operative Sam Fisher is sent to locate the programmer and put a stop to the terrorist threat.

As always, Fisher works solo and in the game’s main story mode  -called Solo - he begins his search in a terrorist encampment in Peru. Before each mission you can choose a list of high-tech weapons and gadgets depending on how you want to approach each mission. You can choose to enter a mission using silent weapons by choosing Stealth or choose more ammo and frag grenades if you choose Assault. There’s even a section called Redding’s Recommendations, which features Third Echelon member William Redding’s equipment and weapon suggestions for each specific mission scenario. All the usual Splinter Cell gadgets are back such as Fisher’s goggles, silenced pistol and gun that can shoot sticky cameras.

What has changed, though, is the game’s style. Leaning towards a more action-oriented game rather than the usual three-alarms-and-mission-over stealthy approach, Chaos Theory just feels more exciting. While stealth is still a major feature in the game, using stealth is more a suggestion rather than forced on the player. This doesn’t mean Sam Fisher will running and gunning his way through each mission, but you will encounter areas where bashing in a door and quickly eliminating a terrorist in the room is the best course of action before he has a chance to contact his brothers.

While the controls remain the same, Fisher have just a few new moves worthy of a mention. For instance, hanging from a pipe, our stealthy spy can grab a passing enemy and snap his neck like a twig. He can still dangle and aim his weapon but there’s just something about snatching a foe and breaking his neck silently that is just way cooler. He can also grab an enemy, kill him and then toss the body over a rail. In the ship level, Sam can toss bodies overboard so no passing guard could find the body. You’ll be grateful for these new moves since the enemy AI has become a lot smarter than the last two games.

If you’re looking for proof that the Xbox is capable of displaying some truly spectacular visuals that go well beyond the best-looking games on the console already available then Chaos Theory will make you kiss your system. While I’m more concerned over gameplay than graphics, it’s hard not to admire the incredibly detailed visuals this game throws at you. Everything from the characters to the environments has been reworked to look even more realistic. The lighting, once again, is perfect and so are the littlest visual effects, such as the wind making a piece of material flap or raindrops that roll off Sam Fisher’s stealth suit. Really, this is the Xbox graphics at its very best.

As for the game’s sound once again the series will not fail to amaze. With incredibly detailed direction sound effects you’ll practically be surrounded by sound whether it comes in the form of distant footsteps to the sounds of the rain pelting a tin roof. The score is, again, wonderfully dramatic in all the right moments and calm when you’re simply moving about silently. Even the spoken dialogue is top-notch with a script that’s both interesting and even funny. Hearing Fisher (voiced superbly, as usual, by Michael Ironside) crack a few good jokes makes him a better-rounded character than before.

The best new addition to the series, however, is the Co-op mode that puts you in the role of a spy in training. The best part about this is that you can play with a friend using a split-screen view. Together you go through a training exercise and then participate in four missions that require teamwork. This is a good place to introduce some new moves such as giving your partner a boost; rappelling or launching your partner like a human missile (also good for knocking out guards). These moves can also be used in the Xbox Live multiplayer mode introduced in Pandora Tomorrow. That’s right, the Spies verse Mercenaries mode is back and there are plenty of maps to play through. In short, this is the best online multiplayer mode since Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six 3 series.

Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory is quite possible the best installment of the series yet and with its fresh new modes, great story and missions that are more action than stealth, this is one that will make a fan out of you. It’s great to see a series evolve, but it's even better to see it make the leap from amazing to brilliant. If you like your spy games interesting and full of intrigue, Chaos Theory will not disappoint. 

Gameplay: 9.2
There are new interesting moves Sam Fisher can now execute, but the game still feels like past Splinter Cell games and that’s a very good thing. Chaos Theory also downplays the stealth for a more action-packed experience, so expect plenty of missions packed with nail-biting scenarios.

Graphics: 10
Just when we thought the series couldn’t possibly look any better, here comes Chaos Theory to make our jaws drop to the ground. Not only does Sam Fisher look amazing as he moves across the gorgeously lit and beautifully rendered environments, but the game throws in so much visual detail that you’ll stop the game to admire its overall beauty.

Sound: 10
Like all the Tom Clancy games available on the Xbox, the sounds in each of these games are just so incredibly detailed and this game in particular is not any different. Aside from the great directional sounds and great soundtrack, the voice acting and dialogue in this game are just too brilliant.  

Difficulty: Hard
Chaos Theory is also a somewhat hard game even in its medium difficulty setting. You’ll find that the enemy AI is a lot sharper this time around and responds a lot quicker than the last two games. The mission objectives will also have Fisher in the thick of some really difficult situations.

Concept: 9.5
The story, while a bit complex, is still well written and there’s plenty of twists and turns to make this one interesting nevertheless. The game throws new gameplay mechanics that actually work well and the mission scenarios are fun. Yet the highlight of this game is the Co-op and the online multiplayer mode.

Multiplayer: 10
Pandora Tomorrow introduced what is quite possible one of the best reasons to get a Xbox Live subscription. Once again you’ll find the same Spies verses Mercenaries matches, but there are more maps and newer moves. The game’s Co-op mode can be played online or offline, and adds some interesting missions to play through.

Overall: 9.7
Simply one of the best Splinter Cell games produced thus far, Chaos Theory is just one of those games Xbox owners should not do without. With gorgeous visuals, a great story and fantastic multiplayer modes, this one is a complete package worthy of our attention. Buy this one if you love your stealthy spy games with nail-biting action.