Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Chaos Theory (Xbox, 2005)

This is offically the best Splinter Cell game ever created, beating out the first one "TOM CLANCY'S SPLINTER CELL", "PANDORA TOMORROW," and even "DOUBLE AGENT." While the newest release, "CONVICTION" for the XBOX 360, may best it in terms of gameplay and graphics, when you factor in the story and organization aspects, CHAOS THEORY ultimately comes out on top.
There are several reasons why this is the best. First, the story. Sam Fisher is still working for the US government by means of Third Echelon, the top-secret sub-branch of the NSA, fighting the crisis of information warfare worldwide. He has not become a double agent forced to kill his own friends yet, his daugher Sarah was not "killed in a drunk-driving accident" yet, and he has not struck out on his own yet.
Next, the organization. There are no two totally different versions of this game split between the sixth and seventh generations like in "DOUBLE AGENT." Therefore, you aren't left wondering what in the world is happening and why two totally different versions even exist.
Third, and perhaps the best reason, is the alarm system. The one thing that got under my skin in the previous two games was when you didn't hide the bodies in unlit places, the game would automatically sound an alarm. Three alarms and the mission's over. In this game, the bodies have to actually be discovered by a guard or a camera in order for an alarm to be triggered. Also, triggering alarms won't cause you to automatically fail your mission anymore, although enemies will put on armor, get better weapons, and hide at certain points to ambush you.
Lastly, the gameplay and graphics. This game is the first one that makes it possible to actually kill people, not just knock them out, without wasting any ammunition or gadgets. The combat knife is ultimately your most valuable tool; one swipe, no matter what side of an enemy you're on, and they're dead. You can choose to end an interrogation with lethal force (breaking their neck), or nonlethal force (knocking them out by choking them.) When you're hanging from pipes and an enemy walks under you, you can perform an inverted neck break. You can even knock people out if they're directly on the opposite side of a door by just bashing it in! On top of all this, the graphics are just absolutely incredible for an original XBOX, and they were already awesome even from the first game. You begin to forget that it's "just" a game.
There you have it. This is THE splinter cell game that no one should be without. If you're thinking about getting a splinter cell game, I advise you extremely high to consider getting this one. You will definitly never regret your decision.

The Good

* Gorgeous visuals, especially the lighting effects and the environments
* Improved, more open-ended single-player campaign
* Innovative multiplayer mode is interesting, though difficult to master
* New cooperative mode offers some unique thrills.


The Bad

* Campaign gameplay is retouched but pretty similar to the previous games
* Multiplayer caters to the hardcore--it's complicated and punishing to new players
* Feels like it was built by committee--there's a notable lack of cohesion.
The third iteration of the Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell stealth action franchise features the continuing adventures of Sam Fisher, a top secret agent who's sent in to accomplish the US government's dirty work when political situations go sour. It's also got a brand-new two-player cooperative mode in addition to an updated version of the innovative spies-versus-mercenaries competitive multiplayer mode introduced in the second Splinter Cell game. So there's a lot to it, and there's definitely a lot to like about it, especially for Splinter Cell fans who felt a little too restricted while playing as Fisher in the previous games. With that said, Chaos Theory sometimes has a designed-by-committee feel due to its many disparate parts, and despite the game's grittier new theme and its new "Mature" rating, it's going to offer a familiar experience to Splinter Cell veterans. But even if some of the changes are marginal, this is still the most entertaining, most well-rounded game in the series yet.

* Add Game
* Tag
* Print
* Email
* Facebook
* Digg

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Chaos Theory Review

It's got to be the most fully featured stealth action game to date, so if you like the idea of high-tech espionage, it's certainly going to have plenty to offer you.
The Video Review
Watch this video

How did Sam Fisher's third assignment shape up? GameSpot editor Greg Kasavin explains in our exclusive video review.
Watch It
The Good

* Gorgeous visuals, especially the lighting effects and the environments
* Improved, more open-ended single-player campaign
* Innovative multiplayer mode is interesting, though difficult to master
* New cooperative mode offers some unique thrills.

The Bad

* Campaign gameplay is retouched but pretty similar to the previous games
* Multiplayer caters to the hardcore--it's complicated and punishing to new players
* Feels like it was built by committee--there's a notable lack of cohesion.

The third iteration of the Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell stealth action franchise features the continuing adventures of Sam Fisher, a top secret agent who's sent in to accomplish the US government's dirty work when political situations go sour. It's also got a brand-new two-player cooperative mode in addition to an updated version of the innovative spies-versus-mercenaries competitive multiplayer mode introduced in the second Splinter Cell game. So there's a lot to it, and there's definitely a lot to like about it, especially for Splinter Cell fans who felt a little too restricted while playing as Fisher in the previous games. With that said, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v​=vosG1HnKVUc&feature=chann​el_page

The third installment of the famous Splinter Cell games, Chaos Theory is truly the best. The story line inthe single player mode is just like being in a real live action movie. Your plunged into stopping the North Koreans, who provoke the Japanese into starting a war.

New this time around is a co-op mode in which you and a friend play through a 4 level exiting side story to the single player. This mode features an abundance of co-op moves that will make your eyes pop out there sockets.(Including a move where you can launch your team mate into a guards behind and knock him out.)

Also, back from the previous installment (Pandora Tomorrow)is the adrenaline pumped Online multiplayer mode. In this mode you can log on via Xbox Live and play a 2 Spys .vs. 2 Mercenaries mode. You can grab the mercenaries from behind and either knock them out or take them of your hands permanatley. Also, in your arsenal of moves, the ability to jump on top of the mercs head and instantly takeing him out, or maybe you want to pull him over a railing and have him land in some hurtful ways. It's really up to you.

Now I know your asked to say what you think bad about this game when you get to writing the review screen, so I spent countless nights when I couldn't sleep and finally found something wrong with this game. You can't use the game box as a door stopper. It's just not heavy enough. I give this game 5 stars. *****

The Single player is basically what you'd expect by now of the Splinter Cell Series. Get briefed on the bad guys by your pal Lambert and move in. If you've read my past reviews, you'll probably guess where I'm going with this. The levels were fun enough, but some how just not any more so than the last two games. Despite the repetition, you'll want to keep going.

Even on the aging Xbox, the graphics still impress. Shadows look awesome, water looks exactly like water and the character movement capture is near perfect. I still don't know why they took out the S.W.A.T. turn maneuver from Pandora Tomorrow. That was the best. It's a welcomed feature used in Gears of War on the 360, can't imagine playing without it. Again the storyline wasn't very compelling, but it was still enough to keep me going.

The real kicker for this game is the online Multiplayer mode. It's unrivaled in multiplayer terms and just pure fun to play. Sure you have to deal with the occasional foul mouthed jerk(s), but when you can play with people like yourself, it's a sublime experience. I've made so many great friends over Xbox Live. I think its because of the level of intimacy between two players who have to work together in order to win. Unlike other games where you're thrown into a battlefield with 12-24 other players just doing their own thing. This isn't your typical Run 'n Gun. There's just more strategy that way. Online consists of Spies versus the Mercs. Whether you're a spy or merc, playing as a team is important. Constant communication is necessary.

I noticed the wins are more satisfying when it's done on this level of gameplay. Unlike games such as Halo, where winning is based on the few hard core guys that carry the team to victory. You play a huge part or none at all.

This game is a great addition to the splinter cell saga. With new features such as area kills and advanced AI, Chaos Theory delivers a fantastic all around game play. The largest improvement from Pandora Tomorrow is the new co-op mode. This new feature has a different story line yet it links up with the main story on certain occasions. The new maps in Chaos Theory are far more extensive and complex than its prequel. Because the maps is so large, it offers tons of replay value as one could do each mission several times and never take the exact same path. The advanced AI has fixed the problem from Pandora Tomorrow by causing npcs to be suspicious instead of automatically raising the alarm. Two new weapons have been added to the game, a sniper and a shotgun. The sniper is relatively practical while the shotgun is used only in the rarest scenarios. One addition has been made to the HUD which is the sound meter. This will tell you how much noise you are making and also how much noise is being made around you. This gives players fairer game play. Overall, Chaos Theory has satisfied my expectations and is a great game for those who have played or are interested in the Splinter Cell series. IGN gives this game a 9.6 rating.