Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Chaos Theory

"The very best you're going to get!!!"

I still remember waiting for the first Splinter Cell to be released. I remembered savouring every single bit of information I could get my hungry paws on, and the intense excitement I felt prior to its release. Then the day came when I could finally slot the disc into my xbox...I was utterly blown away.
The year went by, and yet another incarnation of Splinter Cell was in stores. Before I could even finish the second one, Chaos Theory was announced. I thought that Ubisoft must have been milking the series, releasing just another rehash of the hit series. Boy, was I wrong... Splinter Cell Chaos Theory does everything right and makes things a whole lot better.

Gameplay:

You play as a splinter cell named Sam Fisher. Your missions require you to, mostly, gather information from high security facilities in order to prevent world war 3. Thats all I'm going to say about the story.
The name of the game is Stealth. Its always better to sneak past an enemy than take him on. Though the option of just mindless killing is available, stealthing through missions is much easier and abundantly more rewarding. Similar to the previous Cell's, Sam avoids detection by lurking in shadows and silently taking out guards. A new addition to the series, is the sound meter. Like the darkness meter, the sound meter keeps track on how much sound you are making. On the meter is a bar which signifies how much noise you can make before guards hear you. Cross the bar and guards know you're there, but keep within the bar, and you're as silent as the night.
Another new addition, is the multiple ways to perform activities. There is ALWAYS more than one way to do things in Chaos Theory. See a lock? You can either pick the lock slowly and more quietly, or just break it. See a retinal scanner? Either hack it, or get a guard to help you. Not to mention, levels are no more linear. There are multiple routes through a level, like a maze, though all routes bring you back to the same road.
The gadgets have also been increased, both in efficiency as well as quantity. You'll always be spoilt for choice on what to use, when to use. Akin to past Cell's, Chaos retains the tight gameplay exibited by the first two, and further adds more to the mix. Gameplay is perfect. 10/10

Graphics:

How should I put this nicely...IT LOOKS LIKE A NEXT GEN GAME!!! The graphics are that good. From the rain in the first level to the dilapitated streets near the end. They're all fantastic and a joy to look at. I have one gripe though, sometimes the shadows can appear VERY jagged. Though it does not take away from the gameplay, it can be quite irritating to look at. On a light side, the game maintains a very solid frame rate and never ever drops. 9/10

Sound/Music

The ambient sounds are very good and realistic. It really sucks you into the environment. It is absolutely amazing. The music is also top notch. There is music to fit every scenario and the game rarely gets the music wrong. Though the game sometimes pauses when changing soundtracks.
The voice acting is very convincing, and Michael Ironside returns once more to offer his dark humour to Sam Fisher. A match made in heaven, if I would say so myself. 10/10

Replayability

It all depends on the person playing. There is only one unlockable, and that can be unlocked very early in the game. However, if you're the kind of person who wants to perfect their games, getting 100 % in everything will take a lot of time. Not to mention, the three difficulties available.
If you've done all that, there's still co-op (splitscreen or LIVE) and multiplayer (LIVE) to content with.

Chaos Theory is a great game that deserves to be played by everyone.

BUY THIS!!!

9/10

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 04/30/05