Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Chaos Theory
- February 28, 2005 14:21 PM PST
- Email this!
Can Sam Fisher continue his reign in the shadows?
The Splinter Cell games are already a part of what is perhaps the best Tom Clancy series on console systems--so what's left to do that hasn't been done? A little polish here and some small additions there--that's what. While it may not sound like much, little things add up quickly; and it's apparent that with Splinter Cell Chaos Theory, Ubisoft is continuing to build toward the creative sky.A Lethal Dose of Stealth
In a near-complete build of Chaos Theory, all signs already point to impressive. To start, the single-player game offers much more gameplay flexibility than those in previous Splinter Cell games. Levels are now designed in a nonlinear fashion, meaning you can tackle each mission in several different ways. You'll know from the start where your objectives are located, but it's up to you to choose the path to complete them. Additionally, at the beginning of each mission, you'll be given a choice of how to confront your enemies: You can opt to go in stealthily, equipped with only nonlethal weaponry; you can enter the level hot with weapons that permanently "liberate" the mercenaries; or you can entertain a little bit of both.
Outdoing Pandora Tomorrow's multiplayer game is a hard feat, but it looks like Ubisoft is up to the challenge. In Chaos Theory's new co-op mode, you and a friend must work together to complete any of the four unique levels. You have to rely on each other to give cover, watch for patrols, and even hoist the other one up onto ledges. The versus game (Spies vs. Mercenaries) has been improved, too. There's a host of new equipment and moves for each side, plus the game features a whopping 11 maps, six of which are brand new.
Renewed Light in the Shadows
The most striking feature of Chaos Theory, however, isn't its refined gameplay. Do you remember the first time you saw the original Splinter Cell on the Xbox? It was truly amazing--but the PlayStation 2 version of Chaos Theory already looks just as good. Ubisoft has created a brand-new visual engine that makes Chaos Theory run super smooth in all of its beautifully detailed environments. The GameCube version is sure to wow you, too.
It's certainly exciting to watch a favorite series evolve into something even better. Here's hoping this new Splinter Cell can achieve the recognition that it is poised to receive.
