Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Chaos Theory (PS2)

Welcome to 2007 and the end of the world. It is truly a frightening place where unseen tech terrorists are sending the US and North Korea headlong into WW3. Its a typically epic Clancy premise and best of all it plays out like a dark dream.

It wasn't always like this; when Pandora Tomorrow hit the shelves gamers felt more like victims of some great practical joke than omnipotent covert agents. There were high points; the jungles were cool and the online versus battles between spys and mercs were easily the best thing about the game, but otherwise the frustrations were too much for even the most avid gamer to persist. The checkpoint system was awful and combined with unforgiving pacing of crucial events led to spirit crushing replays of almost entire levels. The eye-wateringly miserly three strikes and your out set up made the situation worse, not helped by the frankly unrealistic discovery of any bodies left in anything other than total darkness. Then there was the problem of close combat; for a highly disciplined covert agent, living in and dispensing death from the shadows Fisher was surprisingly cack-handed when it came to close combat. Give him the element of surprise and a bag of flash bangs and he had a fighting chance. Surprise him and this honed and toned killing machine would perform the hand-to-hand ballet of death with all the finesse and focus of a headless chicken.

I suppose your wondering why i've bothered listing all the old Cell's flaws. Simple; because Chaos Theory has successfully addressed every one of these infuriating issues. Save points are now under your contol and the three strikes rule has been binned entirely. Also for the first time in the series how you go about your mission is entirely up to you with multiple routes through most levels.

Graphically this is a triple A title and no mistake. The quality and visual coherance will have sucked you in long before you bag your first terrorist. Even through the green of your nvgs the game looks shraper, more believable. Ambient lighting is beautiful and the effect on you suit's embedded light meter makes sense adding to your confidence in you tools of the trade.

In fact confidence in your tech is a gratifying theme that runs, quietly, throughout the game. The OCP device from the previous game that fritzed out cameras temporarily is now a much more accessible alternate function of the standard silenced pistol. Whats more it can now disrupt any electrical circuitry from lights to computers and laser beams. Combined with the new EEC equiped goggles that detect any elctrical cirtuits even those embedded in walls, the OCP pistol reveals a whole new layer of obstacles beyond the visible spectrum.

Sound now plays a key role with the addition of a sound meter similar to the light sensor. Keep Fisher's footfalls quieter than the ambient noise and you're ok. Similarly try snapping the shotgun module onto your amazingly adaptable SC-20K assault rifle in a darkened room and you may as well have flicked on the lights and started playing the banjo.

Thankfully controlling Fisher is a joy and it feels very much like the man more than the equipment that has evolved. For example the door move which makes sensible use of the controllers analogue sticks to ease open doors for a stealthy entry, and the alternate ability to boot the door open, knocking any guards on the other side flying. Add to this a new and exclusive to PS2 yank move which frees same to hang from ledges or hide in pools and pull unsuspecting goons to their death. The AI feels plausibly sharp without ever seeming unfair and whilst they do have more kit to detect you, you do always have the equipment to stay one step ahead. However whether you have the intelligence, ability and sheer cajones to use Fisher's gadgets correctly, quickly and appropriately is another matter and it's this evolving challenge that cranks the game into the stealth premier league.

Undeniably the most useful new piece of kit is the knife, which can be used to interrogate guards or to break locks on doors, or even better to react with speed and aggression to any guards who may suprise you.

The online spys v mercs battles are still present and have been beefed up with new maps to battle on. And thats not the end of Chaos Theory's multiplayer abilities. The brand new co-op mode is superb fun and the 18 or so missions blend wonderfully with the main storyline.

However when all is said and done there is only one thing you need to know - is Chaos Theory better than Metal Gear. You know what no it isn't but not for the reason you may think. Play the two games and you'll discover that they both do sneaking brilliantly but each brings totally different vibes to the silent snuffing party. If you want gargantuan, epic and slightly barking mad then Solid Snake is your man. However if you want you sneaking realistic, brutal and with a side order of cold, hard political intrigue, then Sam Fisher is where the juice is. Really if you love your games then you should really own both and as far as any stealth game goes there is no greater compliment than that.

Graphics: 9 - Totally immersive, beautifull

Sound: 9 - Fantastic score and intelligent use of ambient noise

Gamepaly: 10 - Gripping, tense and often surprising

Lifespan: 10 - Mulitple routes, excellent co-op mode and you'll never tire of the online mode

Overall: 10/10 - A darker, more realistic experience than MGS3, Chaos Theory is everything that was good about the previous Splinter Cell plus so much more.

Anyone familiar with the Splinter Cell series knows one thing. Its a hardcore stealth game. Sometimes a little off putting but ultimately a great game and very rewarding.

Splinter Cell continues to follow the capers of Sam Fisher (cant spell his surname!)whilst he trys to stop a massive information war from breaking into world war 3.

The graphics for this game are incredible. The lighting is always dramatic and the enemies seem even more realistic than previous encounters. There are a wider range of locations, including a boat (reminiscent of Metal Gear Solid 2)a bank (where Sam steals 50,000,000 in bonds and then gets a 25 cent an hour raise!) however thats just a cover up for what he is really after.

The gameplay is what stands out. In the first two, the alarm system could be really annoying. Sometimes, bodies would be found even when hidden in total darkness. There is no more of this, 3 alarms and your out! Rather, instead, a load of enemies come after you. This is surprisingly, less annoying and far more enjoyable. Secondly, you can save anywhere in a level and start from that point if you die or want to restart. This saves having to redo entire sections in order to get to the difficult bit and die from the previous 2. Third is his close combat skills. Sam is now armed with a knife (you can chose either a fatal or a non-fatal attack depending on the level.) This means you no longer have to come up behind them or drop on them from above, but if you creep up to them in the dark, you can just attack from the front! Finally there are stealth ratings at the end of the level, and there are also secondary and opportunity objectives which are also added, a nice touch by ubi-soft.

Without a shadow of a doubt, Sams third game is by far his best. If you buy one game this year, make it this!

After finally purchasing this game, I was astounded at how addictive and atmospheric this game really was. You no longer 'Play as Sam Fisher' you are 'Sam Fisher' with a plethora of
new moves, this game takes stealth to a whole new level.

Waiting in the shadows, eying the situation from only a few centimetres away from what is to surely be your next victim. Each move has to be carefully calculated to ensure complete stealth and success of the mission. Your gun is your weakest weapon, stealth, shadows and your knife will become your new best friends.

There's no longer the threat of mission failed if you set off an alarm.. as said in the game 'This is no video game, Sam'. Sam has an array of new weaponry at his disposal, for instance the new add on for the pistol which allows you to disable electronic hardware such as but not limited to; hanging lamps and computers. This helps keeping hidden from the enemy.

This game now has a 2 player co-op mode which is simply fantastic, imagine real time communication, having another persons eyes and ears for backup, someone to revive you with
an injection of adrenaline if/when you go down in battle and someone to help you perform the array of breath taking moves co-operative play has to offer, for instance being thrown
into your opponent.

Then if that's not enough there's online play, very similar to 'Splinter Cell Pandoras Tomorrow' you either play as a mercenary or a shadownet operative. The aim of the mercenary is to hunt down the shadownet team members in 'First person view' and protect any cells you possess. If you're a shadownet operative the object is to retrieve or denonate these cells or neutralize the mercenaries. If you're a shadownet operative you play in 3rd person.

Overall if you loved the previous offerings Splinter Cell had to offer then you will undoubtly love this one even more. If you're new to Splinter Cell but love games which involve calculative moves, stealth and overall brain usage then you'll love this one too. This title has alot to offer and I'm sure anyone who is lucky enough to own it will tell you the same thing.

[Warning : Not suitable for those with a nervous disposition]
[Nerve stimulants sold seperately, counselling is also]