User Score
8.6 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 153 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 9 out of 153

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  1. Sep 20, 2012
    10
    First, straight off the bat, I'd like to say, GREATEST Splinter Cell game in the entire series. I mean, bravo, 2 thumbs up. Gameplay is very organized and not too tweaked around like the later games. Story line was exceptional. Running on a very good computer, this game rarely has any glitches or bugs, so, good job Ubisoft. The co-op portion is possibly the best part about Chaos Theory. If you love taking out bad guys in stealth over lan or online, this is probably the best game to do it in. Very, very fun game. I prefer it highly over Double Agent in my opinion. 10/10 Expand
  2. MikeIm
    Apr 2, 2005
    10
    The best of the series so far. All three parts (Single Player, Cooperative, Spies vs Mercenaries) could have been their own game - they are all that good. This is a MUST HAVE game.
  3. Chimp
    Jun 7, 2005
    10
    Simply amazing. the single player graphics are incredible, and the loading times are about 5 seconds. the single player is better too, not just because of the graphics, it has been improved in almost every way, definitely gameplay wise too. one particular feature i like is the native tongue voices. in pandora tomorrow every guard has the same exact voice(i think, there may be one or two variations but its all basically the same), in this thehy speak their real language and when its in english they say more realistic things too. there are some new moves, and multiple paths through levels. the dialogue is better, and they have removed the most annoying thing about the previous SC games..the 3 alarm game over system! also i get an amazing framerate with everything maxed except shader on 1.1(everything else maxed, 4xAA). the multiplayer is really good too, even though it is very similar to pandora tomorrows(in case you didnt know the graphics in multiplayer are much worse than the single player graphics, but the games are usually lag free and never have framerate issues). my only complaint is that i havent been able to play co-op yet, i cant join any games but i havent really looked into this and im sure i can figure it out. also the in game advertising......wtf? it was pretty ridiculous with the sony erricson phones in pandora but every computers screensaver is for the movie war of the worlds(sigh.....) but that is very minor and doesnt get in the way of anything. the best game so far this year. Expand
  4. KarlD.
    Mar 30, 2005
    10
    Absolutely brilliant! The best of the series yet. Great solo mode and multiplayer is simply awesomeand addictive. This game looks just great and the new gameplay tweaks makes it a lot more fun to play. Full marks!
  5. HellO.
    Apr 10, 2005
    6
    Ok. I bought this for it's multiplayer part and what do I get? A slightly updated version of Pandora Tomorrows multiplayer (with the exact same engine even) and a coop that doesn't work for more than 2 minutes at a time. Single player looks good but bores me to death, jut as I predicted.
  6. NateB.
    Apr 2, 2005
    0
    This is ridiculous. How was ubisoft able to release such a broken product? For about 70% of all people who buy this game, the Co-op simply does not work, and for those that it will work for you can expect to get kicked off every 2 minutes (or less). I highly suggest reading the forums on Splinter Cell's homepage (www.splintercell.com). In order to play online, you have to open all these ports, which is something most people do not to do. But that's only if you get past the bug where this game also has a problem with CD-RWs and DVD-Rs. So if you buy this game, there's a possibility you computer cannot read the disks. Also, some of the cd keys for a LEGAL copy do not work either. I could go on and on about the problems. All I'm interested in is the Co Op and multiplayer modes, and they just don't work. I also forgot, if you have problems and report them to Ubisoft, as kind as you are, they WILL NOT respond or help you in any way. Never buy ubi products, ever (especially this game). All you're doing is giving money to people who release unfinished products. Expand
  7. VoidMain
    Apr 2, 2005
    10
    This game is the best game I have ever played. I know it's sounds cliched but it's true, although I don't have a good enoug internet connection for the multiplayer :( the single player is enough to keep a player going. I give it 1000/10
  8. SparH.
    Jun 29, 2005
    9
    Sure there is some bugs in it, what software doesn't have bugs? It is a great game though, one definitely worth buying, the most important part of course is great gameplay single and multi player, a shame about a biggish patch though.
  9. ChrisB.
    Jul 5, 2005
    8
    I love the single player, but i cant get the bloody coop and mulitplayer to work because it wont accept my cd key -_-.
  10. GuessWho?
    May 9, 2006
    9
    Everyone, Please ignore this "Ryan J." He apparently has a bad taste for good games (no offense "Ryan"), but then again I suppose you cant make everyone happy these days.

    Anyways, on to my review. :)

    The gameplay is pretty good, though it seems to start slow in the beginning. The levels were taken good care of in the design/layout department. The graphics are really good, though y
    ou need a pretty decent computer to enjoy the game in its full graphical glory. All in all, this game is a blast. Expand
  11. SeanN
    Aug 29, 2009
    0
    Yet another broken Ubisoft game converted to PC. I bought both Chaos Theory and Double Agent for pc through Steam. Both games have MAJORE problems. Chaos Theory wont load multiplayer or coop at all. I already tried running it in compatibility mode with another OS. Im running Windows 7. I have a 4870x2 Graphics card. The single player runs perfect no problems but i didnt buy the game for single player i bought it for multiplayer... Double agent crashes randomly, freezes randomly, wont load levels 9/10 times, and is obviously incomplete... Such a waist on Ubisofts part. Such a waist. If it meant me spending another 20 dollars for them to do this right i really would have... Expand
  12. MattW
    Sep 5, 2009
    10
    This is one of the few games that makes you say wow that was awsome.
  13. ChrisS
    Jan 4, 2010
    10
    Truly one of the greatest games ever made. Six years after its release, people are still spy vs. merc'ing!
  14. PatrickO.
    Mar 29, 2005
    10
    This game rocks!!!! Something for everyone!
  15. RyanJ
    Apr 12, 2005
    0
    This is ridiculous. To get the multiplayer to work I found out from UbiSoft that you must open up a whole bunch of ports (something the average gamer does not know how to do) and also UNINSTALL your anti-virus software. Unbelieveable. This game should not have been released, it is absurdly false advertising. The co-op and the versus simply do not work. I have played at least 10 PC games online in both co-op and versus modes, and none of them have ever had issues like this, including Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow. Do not buy this game, teach UbiSoft a lesson. Expand
  16. StevenB.
    Apr 2, 2005
    6
    Good game but not many improvements over the last instalemnt.
  17. JohnS.
    Apr 20, 2005
    9
    Having only played the single player i can only comment on that. Basically if you liked the first SC formula then this game is for you. Not a great deal is different but everything is better. Better graphics, sound, dialogue and less linearity in missions. Bigger mission maps also. If it aint broke dont fix it. Yes occasioanl bug appears but nothing critical. The Game absolutely drips quality. Anything which the multiplayer section adds i regard as a bonus. Top marks all round for the best stealth pc game on the market. Expand
  18. RyanJ.
    May 15, 2005
    0
    Die! This is crap. My initial post got deleted because you thought I was someone else who didn't enjoy this "game". Loser. Whats to stop Matthieu R. (worst spelling of the name Matthew ever by the way) and Jacob H. from being the same person? They both gave it tens, they could just as easily be the same person as myself and Nate B. (who is not me). Oh, editor? Just because somebody says we're the same person, doesn't make it true. If you knew anything about technology you would have IP logging which would show you that we are, in fact, not the same person. Rot. Oh, just to make this something about the game, it was horrible. Expand
  19. JacobH.
    May 9, 2005
    10
    It is a very good game
  20. JosephP.
    Oct 27, 2009
    10
    One of the best Splinter Cell games in the franchise. The graphics are unbelievable, the voice acting is quite good and humorous, and the gameplay is flawless. Overall, due to the game being on Steam without having to worry about a scratched a corrupt disc, makes this game the best of all.
  21. MatthieuR.
    Apr 24, 2005
    10
    Hey whoever is writing the reviews as Ryan J. and Nate B.: you are entitled to voice your opinion, but only once, so enough of the double posting. [Ed: 2nd post deleted....] This game is phenomenal. I can see why the attention deficit crowd would call this boring, since this game requires patience and skill. Well worth your money.
  22. DaleF.
    Apr 27, 2005
    8
    AWESOME single player, one of the best single player games ever. Versus, while updated SLIGHTLY in technical aspects, is actually a bit lacking in gameplay compared to Pandora Tomorrow. Alot of the new additions end up taking away from the fun, and the maps just don't do it for me. Coop just plain doesn't work. I've been waiting for a patch, and one finally came out claiming to fix coop... Still doesn't work. But the single player is worth your money alone, so go buy it. Expand
  23. RyanJ
    May 12, 2005
    0
    This game is terrible, it doesn't work at all on multiplayer. Why was my comment taken down? Is it that far fetched that two different people have the same problem with this crappy game? Anyone who gave this a decent score deserves to be shot because they're just saying it's okay for game companies to release half completed projects and charge $50 for them. [Ed: Sorry about deleting your original post.] Expand
  24. PrestonJ.
    Feb 12, 2007
    10
    Stellar graphics, amazing coop, fun and replayable single player, spy vs merc online great with a good team, great gameplay mechanics.
  25. [anonymous]
    Aug 29, 2009
    10
    one of the best games :-). you can play in so many ways and i played them all and i loved it.
  26. BFH
    Dec 23, 2009
    10
    Gameplay was solid and AI was nice but somewhat predictable. I must say though the multiplayer is AMAZING, though sadly it is only limited to 4 players max. But the fact that you can pit 2 spies (3rd person) against 2 mercenaries (1st person) yet have it balance out very evenly is facinating and fun :D Hope Conviction brings the same multiplayer.
  27. MKokkalis
    Dec 26, 2009
    10
    WoW ! For a game that came out in 2005, it beats the hell out of some new ones in 2009. The graphics are awesome, same with the animation. The environment is awesome ! You can shoot out any light you please, making the stealth factor go way up. The ability to use your knife to cut a hole in a tent and enter through it so you can sneak up on someone is amazing. You use your mouse wheel to increase or decrease your movement speed, which results in quieter or louder movement noise. All in all i'm very pleased with the game, and especially at such a cheat price of $5.00 ! Expand
  28. Aug 17, 2010
    10
    I own this game for both pc and xbox. The multilayer concept and style of gameplay will keep this game among my few favorites. Sadly conviction was overseen by a baboon and the series has ended with a big fat epic fail. There will never be another game like this.
  29. gas
    Aug 6, 2012
    7
    Actually is 2012, i got this game from a Steam summer sale at like 2 euros, i was curious to check it without too many expectations.
    The game in my opinion is very good, it offers a gameplay heavily stealth based, at start controls and the slow gameplay are not very intuitive/modern in my opinion, but after some time the controls end to be just a matter of practice and the game is solid.

    The game is very slow peaced, and imo it lacks a bit of tactics and/or different things to do to keep the player interested in going on, in example i would loved to have the possibility to choose different gear and tools setup to start missions, and more ways to pass some situations.
    This game will not appeal surely the cod generation ppl (hoping they will return on consoles to save pc gamers from modern crapz), as stealth fps is very good, and easily found at very low prices.
    I didnt try the multiplayer and co op so i cant tell nothing about that, even if as idea seems interesting.
    Expand
  30. Aug 4, 2011
    9
    Probably the best stealth game i have ever played and this is 6 years after the games release. The game looks great but where this game stands out is in the game play, it allows one to play the game the way one wants to and allows one to choose different options to get objectives done and send people into the next dimension or just knock them out, although this game is most rewarding when you stick to being stealthy.The game also has quite a bit of humor and will keep you grinning at certain points in the game("Did you hear about the new Prince of Persia..."). The downside of the game is quite simply the music which was nothing special and the story while being epic had a very un-epic ending. Overall a really good quality lengthy game.8.8/10. Expand
  31. May 12, 2011
    8
    SC Chaos Theory is Great in almost every way! The Graphics/effects are good enough for me, and performance is perfect on a E6600 + 9600GT. I really can't think of any big problems with this one, just that sometimes the Enemy AI can get a little glitchy and the enemies taunts(talking) can get sort of annoying and kinda' foolish... also an enemy's head's turning-angle can turn around too much, sort of like an owls head, LOL... Despite the imperfections, this is my favorite of all of the SC games so far!! I just wish UBI would have designed SC-Conviction more like Chaos Theory, especially the controls and overall gameplay. Expand
  32. Apr 13, 2011
    10
    Easily the best installment of the Splinter Cell series, the game play is stealthy, tactical, and just plain satisfying. This isn't a mindless, fast paced stealth action game like Conviction, Chaos Theory is the very essence of the Splinter Cell franchise. Even if your having problems with multiplayer, the single player experience is still easily worth the money, which currently costs $10 on Steam. Easily the greatest stealth game ever created! Expand
  33. Aug 20, 2011
    9
    I missed the boat when this game first came out, but i recently picked it up for the PC and i was absolutely stunned by how great it looked. Game play is solid when the AI isnt being brainless or clairvoyant. Story is what you'd expect from Clancy. Other than that highly recommended!
  34. Sep 22, 2011
    10
    What can I say, I've got a hardon for this particular brand of realistic gameplay. Also why I find Counter-Strike such a disappointing and disgusting phenomenon. Ah well, back to Sam Fisher. Splinter Cell was one of the greats, and Chaos Theory, the third one in the series, just takes everything from Splinter Cell and makes it better. Better weapon mechanics, better graphics, better lighting, better enemy AI, better level design, and holy **** they added a knife for Sam! Truly, the most important addition to any series, ever. Slicing someone's throat open from the side with it is one of the most satisfying moves in gaming. Chaos Theory is also superior in its addition of a fantastic co-op mode online. Instead of sneaking around by yourself, you could actually sneak around and perform stealth knockouts with a teammate. While limited to four levels, it was not a thoughtless addition and provided some genuinely exciting and tense action. While not anywhere near as cinematic or annoyingly labored with its storytelling as the Metal Gear Series, Splinter Cell is the superior stealth genre series in my humble opinion. PS: don't get SC Double Agent, it's a buggy mess on the PC. Expand
  35. Mar 12, 2012
    10
    an absolutely fantastic game.levels are well designed.i have played this game thrice and havent got bored of it.this game is best of the series.if you like stealth game then try this and thief series.both are epic.
  36. Jan 29, 2013
    8
    El multijugador mejora bastante desde PT, y el apartado técnico en general ha sido muy pulido. La historia también ha mejorado mucho, y ahora si se siente como un juego completo.
  37. Jun 23, 2012
    10
    absolutley wonderful

    a+ for graphical settings

    still pretty +shadows work at the bat, no tweaking needed

    fun fun fun fun funfun best best best splinter cell
  38. Jul 30, 2012
    10
    Great Game, great story and great graphics. This game together with Hitman is one of the BEST single player games of its Era. Much like Half life, it changed alot of things on the Market, a Modern Tomb Raider if you will. +10!
  39. Apr 8, 2013
    9
    The original Splinter Cell is a good game. Ubisoft has managed to turn it into a great game in this second installment. I played only the single player and enjoyed every moment. The mechanics are great, the story and voice acting are quite good this time and the humor is awesome. The graphics, especially when pushed to their limit are incredible for the 2005 release. The one issue is the near clairvoyant ability of the AI. I would do and change NOTHING and slip past a guard and they would look at the door I just closed and say "somethings wrong here...." and go on alert. Other than that this is a very solid game 8 years after its original release. Expand
Metascore

Universal acclaim - based on 36 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 36 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 36
  3. Negative: 0 out of 36
  1. Writing in video games is a subject that doesn't get a lot of attention, but Chaos Theory features a simply great script. Not only is it complex and deep, it's also surprisingly funny. [Apr 2005, p.112]
  2. 96
    When combined with the excellent animations, the game feels incredibly cinematic, and on a high-end graphics card the game is stunning. Each level is a grand set piece in which players stylishly accomplish their goals.
  3. A serious improvement in any way you care to name, from gameplay to its newly, eerily realistic graphics.