Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory

Like the previous titles, Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory has you stealing items, assassinating important folk and gathering information while avoiding or neutralising your enemies.

Most of us are familiar with the Splinter Cell series of games. You play the role of Sam Fisher, whose job it is to creep around in places he's not supposed to be and do things he's not supposed to do, all in the interests of world peace.

Like the previous titles, Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory has you, Sam Fisher, stealing items, assassinating important folk and gathering information, and the crux of the game is avoiding or neutralising your enemies while you complete these tasks -- all with the assistance of cool gadgets.

For starters, the game is graphically excellent. A great amount of detail has gone into Sam, his enemies and the level design, right down to accurate lip-synching during interrogations. Of course, interrogating isn't the only thing you can do -- captured enemies can be used to activate retinal scanners or be wielded as a human shield. The option to just dispatch them is also available and, if you want to play nice, you can simply knock them out.

Sam also has some new toys. The commando knife allows combatants to be killed up close, as opposed to merely knocked out. In a pinch, the knife can also be used to break through locks quickly instead of taking the time to pick them, however a broken lock will be spotted by guards. His also pistol now has the ability to disable cameras electronically. The rifle has various attachments including a fore-grip for more accurate firing and a sniper modification. Also back is the classic launcher, which fires remote cameras and various non-lethal projectiles.

Hacking provides a new form of puzzle. It plays like a modified version of Mastermind, and you have to sift through numbers trying to find the right combination before the time runs out. If necessary, you can even hack a computer from a distance, as long as you can handle having less time to work with. By making use of the same device that lets you perform remote hacking, you can scan various objects, this being a regular mission goal.

Like Pandora Tomorrow, Chaos Theory also supports co-op multiplayer and versus modes, so if you feel like taking a friend along on your shadowy escapades, or maybe just kicking his arse, then Chaos Theory is your game.
Unfortunately, like the last two games, Chaos Theory is dark. As atmospheric as it may be to crawl around in inky blackness, when it's overdone it's just annoying. Also, apart from the new gadgets and other small additions, it's still the same Splinter Cell.

So does it live up to it predecessors? We're glad to say it does. Chaos Theory is well-polished and solid, and fans from the previous titles won't be disappointed.