Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory improves greatly on the series, but it also leaves some things behind.
Why: Chaos Theory has perhaps the best features ever seen in a Splinter Cell game. The days of linear-feeling levels are long gone. Once again, you take control of Sam Fisher, Third Eschelon's Splinter Cell agent, and are immediately thrust into yet another investigation in which you must discover what is going on by sneaking around and gaining intel.
The level design is superb. Although you must always get from point A to point B, there are plenty of routes in most of the levels in which to get there. Some favor the stealthy approach while others favor a more direct one. The levels are designed in such a way that it is no longer impossible to get through an area without killing or subdue-ing a guard. You can sneak around and when a guard comes, you can hide in some alcove that is more realisticly placed then simply convenient. In fact, many of the levels have ways to elude the guards that you may not even have considered. Even then, after you find the new hiding place or route, it makes sense that it would be in the building or area you belong in. Rather than seeming as if you are the luckiest man in the world just to happen to be able to find all these conveniently placed stealthy paths, you feel as if you have the freedom to find your own way to elude the guards. This is one of the major problems that the original Splinter Cell had, and although Pandora Tomorrow improved on this a little, Chaos Theory takes the cake.
Another great improvement in Chaos Theory is the inclusion of a co-op mode in which two players can team up via split-screen or X-Box live and try their hand at various levels. The story is actually intertwined with the campaign in Splinter Cell which adds realism, but I was dissappointed with the level design. In fact, it seems more like the Co-op was designed with the original Splinter Cell in mind as the levels are as linear as can be. For example, in one level, the agents have to climb through a vent, which leads to an elevator shaft and then another vent, in order to get to their destination. The holes in the wall that lead to these vents are conveniently placed at the dead-end of the hallway and so you know that you must take this route in order to continue. Such linear-ness is frusterating. As is the fact that many tasks in co-op, can not be completed without there being two agents. How fortunate that Lambert sent two agents. I am convinced even Lambert could not have known that inside a vent there would be a wall that one agent needed to climb first, while the other agent climbed him, then the agent that made it up could pull the other agent up. It's just rediculous and insulting to think that this could possibly happen in real life. I know it's a game, but for a game that always tries to be realistic, they missed the mark pretty badly with this one.
Finally, another noted change is the removal of the laser sight from Sam's pistol. So, once again, you can look forward to shooting at something and hoping that you'll hit it, although I did find that it was easier to hit something than it was in Splinter Cell.
The game is overall very good but the removal of the laser sight is, in my opinion, a big blow. Pandora Tomorrow was better in this regard and it felt more cinematic. On the flip side, Chaos Theory feels more immersive and realistic which is always a good thing.
Graphics: 10
Why: Aside from tha fact that Sam Fisher looks like he's turning into a monkey, the graphics are the best I've seen in any splinter cell game, let alone any other game I've played.
Sound: 8
Why: I was never a fan of the Splinter Cell music all that much, but it isn't that bad if you don't take into account the Displace level, mute the tv for that one. As for the dialog, Micheal Ironside voices Sam Fisher once again, but Dennis Haysbert is no longer Lambert. I beleive they used the same Lambert that was from the original but I could be wrong.
Value: 9
Why: If you like any of the Splinter Cell games, this one is a definate pick-up. The co-op mode, though linear, is very fun and the campaign is replayable anytime.
Reviewer's Tilt: 8
Why: I just didn't feel that Chaos Theory matched Pandora Tomorrow. It improved on alot of things, but the removal of the laser sight and the addition of a linear-styled co-op mode keeps the game from reaching a higher score. I think the game would have been better off (in terms of score) if the co-op wasn't included then if it was simply because the quality isn't that good.