A truely great game that all fans need to own, despite some issues in the co-op mode.
Anyone who has seen Chaos Theory in action can attest to its visual masterpiece. Dynamic lighting is back in a big way. No longer are shadows blobby, elongated representations of the characters. Now we have shadows that are detailed and exact.
Another of the biggest renovations of the graphics is the amazing use of bump and normal mapping. Now when you are sulking around in the shadows of espionage Sam actually has a recognizable face, with expressions, and features that look real. Rather than the flat textured faces we have seen in the games previous.
Everything from the grenades, to gadgets can be seen on your uniform, dangling when you run and jump, and clattering all the way. My only disappointment in the visual presentation is the reused model for all of the enemies. I had no idea that there were only two Koreans and they happened to be cloned a million times over for their army.
Another thing that was somewhat of a down side was that the sound was great, but at the same time forgettable. Music that was not much altered from the first two makes its return to the scene, and while it is fitting for the game, I would have liked to see some variety.
Many would say in the domain of sound, it is more what you do not hear in a stealth action game, but Chaos Theory proves them wrong. Guards can be heard having conversations almost at all times, giving you that nervous feeling of danger right next to you. Cans clink, the equipment on an enemy jingles and clatters as they move.
The conversations you hear at random can be the most hilarious point in the game. One such talk between your enemies is about getting the new Prince of Persia and how that will get the Game of the Year award easy.
Funny Ubisoft, but not as funny as the hit they took on the Half-Life series. One such banter you will hear is when an argument is being had about opening a steel door. The question is asked, “Am I gonna need a crowbar?” Then the answer is supplied, “Naw. Crowbars are for stupid video game characters.”
It is tough to tell any of the stories without giving away the plot so here goes. It’s a great story and it involves a terrorist attempt to control the world.
In Chaos Theory you will sneak around corridors, shoot out lights, choke, whack, and shoot American-hating terrorists. But the beauty is how you go about achieving all of these objectives.
Again we have the multi-player seen in Pandora Tomorrow. The Mercs v. Spy games are an absolute blast to play through and thrive on skill and planning. An inclusion to Chaos Theory was the option of online co-op. In the co-op mode they have a few unique missions that you and a fellow spy can play through. This is my only big complaint; while being immensely fun the servers rarely worked. I tried for hours to play co-op and got through 2 missions.
All in all Ubisoft has struck gold again with Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory. I was surprised as I thought after the second one they were done, and the third would be a let down, but it is actually the best of the bunch. This is a recommendation to anyone who loves games, and if you are a stealth-action, or action fan, not owning this game is blasphemy.