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Sam Fisher returns for his third installment. Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory, the third game in the acclaimed Splinter Cell series, manages to improve the game’s visuals, make the gameplay a bit more nonlinear, and add some new gameplay modes to the already exhaustive Splinter Cell brand. Unfortunately, the Gamecube version received the least amount of love from Ubisoft Montreal. Instead of attempting a direct Gamecube port, the company simply ported over the watered-down PS2 version of the game, removing the key multiplayer mode while doing so.
The game’s single-player mode has Sam Fisher visiting various locations in Japan, North Korea and in the United States as he attempts to get some information for the NSA. Of course, this involves infiltrating many locations and using occasional force with some unhelpful subjects. The game’s plot is told through a mix of cutscenes, pre-mission bits of information, and verbal exchanges with Fisher and the rest of the NSA. As always, the verbal exchanges are quite priceless, and considerably help the story.
In terms of gameplay mechanics, the single player mode has received some enhancements. The missions are a bit less trial-and-error and more open-ended, with larger levels to boot. For example, the game doesn’t place such a big emphasis on keeping alarms in check or hiding bodies. You’re also given some additional objectives to complete if you wish, and multiple paths to get to the desired location. Also new is a knife, as shown in the game’s box art and predominantly featured in Ubisoft advertising. Fisher can threaten enemies with this knife, in a sort of chokehold, though splitting their throat is out of the question. Nonetheless, the game doesn’t stray too far from the typical Splinter Cell formula of shooting out the lights, using one of the nifty vision goggles, and sneaking up behind the guards. All in all, you’ll find around ten hours of gameplay in Chaos Theory’s single player mode. The game’s increased openness makes replaying it a viable option, but single player is hardly all that Chaos Theory has to offer.
Continuing the series tradition of adding a new game mode per iteration, Chaos Theory introduces a cooperative mode. There are only five missions, but they work pretty well. You need to make sure you keep close with your partner, though, as there is no map. That said, playing with a teammate allows you to use the other spy as a ladder to get over high walls, for example. The additions are certainly nifty, and this is definitely a feature Ubisoft Montreal can expand on in the future. On Gamecube, the cooperative mode is only available via splitscreen.
Removed completely from the Gamecube version of Chaos Theory is the much-praised spies vs. mercenaries multiplayer mode introduced in Pandora Tomorrow. The mode was also removed from the Gamecube version of Pandora Tomorrow.
The series’ visuals have always been outstanding. Chaos Theory on Gamecube looks pretty good, but it hardly pushes the Gamecube. As I mentioned above, Ubisoft Montreal simply ported over the PS2 version of the game. Nonetheless, Fisher’s character model is incredible; the others don’t fare quite as well but are still in the “good” category. The animations are on-point. The incredibly-detailed environments once again return and they look great. However, they are broken down into smaller chunks, as notable when compared to the Xbox and PC versions. The Gamecube version also has noticeably blurrier textures ands simpler architecture. The real star is the game’s lighting system, the best on PS2. The console struggles a bit to keep up with the game (much to my confusion), and as a result, the framerate falters here and there. The game does manage to look a little sharper than the PS2 version, and the framerate stutters are a bit less frequent.
The game’s audio performs just as well. The dynamic soundtrack from Amon Tobin sounds great, and definitely fits into the Splinter Cell universe. You’ll hear the music pick up when you mess up, and fade back out when trouble is done. The sound effects are stunning, as expected. They accurately relay where the guards are, especially if you’re running surround sound. The game’s voice acting is acceptable, certainly adequate, but nothing out of the ordinary.
The only real gripe against the game is that the control isn’t as intuitive as it can be. There are many options in a given situation, and the game still relies on the same context-sensitive menu system, which is a bit cumbersome. Additionally, the Gamecube controller’s lack of buttons forces some trickery with the Z-trigger to get some moves to work. If you played the previous Splinter Cell games, you’ll be right at home. Nonetheless, it is a bit more annoying than the other versions.
Splinter Cell Chaos Theory is a great stealth action game. The game’s tweaks, graphics update, and gameplay mode additions make it one of the better games in the “bang for your buck” category. The Gamecube version is noticeable inferior to the other versions of the game, however, so those versions are recommended. If you solely own a Gamecube though, Chaos Theory is still a worthwhile, if limited, purchase. -- Jose Liz, PGNx Media
---- Apr 6, 2005
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