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.
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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.
