Sam Fisher's greatest adventure yet.
User Rating: 9 | Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory XBOX
This is now the third game in the Splinter Cell series in as many years. It has changed hands twice, being developed by seperate teams within Ubisoft. The original developers of the first Splinter Cell developed Chaos Theory, with the online component in the hands of Ubisoft Shanghai, who developed the brilliant online addition for Pandora Tomorrow. Coming up with 2 sequals in 2 years smells suspiciously like rehashing a winning formula in order to have a product ready for sale - without regards to fans who enjoyed the game in the first place. While that may be the case with other games, fear not; Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory is bigger and better than ever, and there is enough reason for fans of the series to pick up the latest iteration of Fisher's excellent stealth action. Chaos Theory takes place in a world on the brink of war - with Japan creating a Information Self Defence Force which is seen as a violation of their Constitution after ammendments made following WWII. Growing tensions between themselves and North Korea, as well as China have resulted in shipping blockades, effectively crippling the Japanese economy. As a result, Japan calls their American allie for support - however a rather small and seemingly unrelated incident is what starts Sam's latest adventure. A Mr Bruce Morgenholt has been kidnapped, and being one of the most intelligent men on Earth, Third Echelon want him back. After studying the kernals alongside Abrahim Zherkezi following the Georgian Information Crisis, (nice way to tie in the storyline from a previous game) - Morgenholt now works for a telecommunications company that has extensive contracts throughout the world - particularly in the South Pacific. However, this makes him a suitable target for information retrieval - and naturally, America doesn't want him to spill the beans. All this is just a small taste of a very well put together story that is not only well made, but well told. Fantastic cut-scenes which are directed with Hollywood flair and realistic emotion coming from all characters (with Michael Ironside returning as Sam Fisher) really make you sit up and take notice, with the many cutscenes fleshing out the story as well as Sam's supporting crew. You get a real feel for the people behind Sam, with friendly banter - both on topic and off coming up at random intervals. A main topic for discussion is Sam's age, and yes it is true, Sam is getting older. But this hasn't held him back - and this time he is more prepared and more violent than before - with even more moves to add to his already bulging reportoire. Chaos Theory has a more edgy and adult feel and series veterans will find themselves right at home - but be glad to see new options for taking on the ever increasing array of main and secondary objectives. As well, Sam has taken on a more user-friendly role, with more ways to attack and even take down the enemy. This will be welcome news to newcomers, however veterans may feel slightly cheapened. But there is 3 difficulty settings that easily ramp up the difficulty - so there is still a challenge for them. Forget the lighter adventures of the Sam of old, where he cared for the enemy's well-being and kills were kept to a minimum. The game is darker (unbelievable but true), and more violent. Another UbiSoft series went down this route, (Prince of Persia: Warrior Within), and while that may have been condemned by reviewers and fans who preferred the Prince's previous and more light-hearted adventure, the new feel of Chaos Theory actually enhances the gameplay, and may bring in new people who previously dismissed the series - especially for it's slower pace to other action titles. Being more action based though hasn't changed the formula too much. Before you "load out" for each mission you are given the choice of 3 equipment pre-sets. This doesn't affect your score for the mission, but will depict more how you play through the game than anything else. You can choose between stealth, action or a mix of the two. Veterans should be able to easily go through the missions, however, there are a few suprises and twists in the gameplay, and many hidden and secret paths that make the game feel a little more real - and slightly complex. You may find yourself lost on ocassion, and a little unsure of your bearings, however a very well implemented map feature will help whenever you are unsure of where to go next. New ways to take down enemy's is nice, but new ways to pass objectives is even better. With this in mind, players should be happy with the inclusion of the new Electronic Vision. Available in Pandora Tomorrow's multiplayer, it now allows you to remotely hack keycodes, and computers, uploading viruses and reading emails. There is also a secondary fire now available on your sidearm pistol, useful for knocking out electronic systems silently for a short period of time. This is explained to you well throughout the course of the game, and these new toys are not overused, and enhance the gameplay, adding more variety to the proceedings. However, regardless of the exciting and well put together campaign mode is, most people would probably be more interested in the brand new competitive play mode - and they wont come away disappointed. No minor addition, this is a well played out and great addition to the game. However, with only four maps, as well as a training map, it feels quite light. The map that is so useful in the single player is also removed, and there is no way to know where the other player is. This can make it frustrating if you dont have good contact and a good rapport with the other player, so it's best to play with a friend. But with all the new moves added, the idea to work in tandem with another player works really well. Things like using each other for a human ladder, or throwing each other across high walls not only looks great, but is integral to the gameplay. The missions are designed around working together, and this dynamic is fresh and new, and a whole lot of fun. The innovation continues with Chaos Theory's multiplayer mode. First showing up in Pandora Tomorrow, it was hailed for it's originality and well thought out gameplay, pitting 2 very different sides against one another. Both sides had their pros and cons, and the game really came down to the skill of the player. This has continued and evolved even better for Chaos Theory. While you are forced to complete a rather simple training mission, it's best that you familiarise some of the multiplayer maps first, as the brief training mission isn't very helpful, and some of the maps can be large and intimidating. Pandora Tomorrow players should feel right at home, with 12 maps on offer, about half of which are completely new. Others are updated versions of maps from the previous game, enhanced to make use of all the new gadgets and devices. The maps are now more story focussed, and each has very different objectives which makes them all feel unique. The interesting dynamic of having only four players works really well, but you or your team-mate can become a big liability if you haven't played the game enough. A high level of concentration may be required, and while games are short, they are exciting and tense. Don't expect a lot of running and gunning though, as the multiplayer plays very similar to Pandora Tomorrow. While the previous games have pushed graphics to new levels of excellence, Chaos Theory has gone overboard with just how gorgeous it looks. Excellent maps, well defined locales and areas that feel lived in are decidedly spooky, it doesn't feel made up - it feels real. Lighting and texture mapping are done here at their very best. Sam looks great, with new animations and even differing ones from previous games. Crouching, slinking and skulking never looked this good, and the environments look so real, many times you may just find yourself just looking around you - wondering at the detail. Sound is absolutely top notch - with a wonderful original soundtrack that blends well with the action. The music is very dramatic, with highs and lows, occasionally edgy and always classy. Amon Tobin is the man behind this, with a very electronic feel - which lends itself well to Sam's world of espionage. The music kicks up when the action's hot too, and slowly dies down as you get past the action. Background detail and noises are noticeable and appreciated as well. Main effects also all sound great, from the sound a aluminium can makes, to the crunching of gravel under Sam's feet. Distant gunfire and buzzing lights make you feel occasionaly panicky, but in a good way. Tension literally jumps off the screen in soundwaves. The voice work from the main cast - as well as a host of extras is terrific, with a good variety in voices, dialect and accent. Although all the cast still speak English, you will be listening to French, Japanese, Korean, English and a host of other nations - all selling the plausability of a International crisis - and all drawing you in to the conflict playing out. However, the plausibility of the games environments and effects have seen fit for UbiSoft to add a few too many in-game advertisements, which actually take you out of the experience, rather than enhance it. Loading times are incomprehensibly long as well, although the screens used usually have a looped video to at least keep you interested. Overall however small these negatives are, they dont conflict with the genuinally great game that Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory is. A well thought out story, played out well in a very playable campaign, as well as a compelling online mode, and a excellent new addition in the co-operative mode sums up the greatest Splinter Cell game yet. Get this - you won't be disappointed. 
