Games

Best of 2009 | 08 |07 | 06 | 05
Advanced Search

Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Chaos Theory

EMAIL PRINT pc

7.8 User Score:

Universal acclaim

Based on 36 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 45 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game >

Game Info

Publisher: Ubisoft

Developer: Ubisoft Montreal

Genre(s): Action, Adventure

Players: 4

ESRB Rating: M (Mature)

Release Date: March 29, 2005

Summary

The year is 2008. Information Warfare has evolved into the most dangerous threat to global stability. You are Sam Fisher, Third Echelon's most skilled Splinter Cell operative. You are assigned to execute a hazardous series of operations to investigate and eliminate a new source of information attacks, originating in North Korea. To succeed, you will employ a host of unconventional counterintelligence activities to gather intel, disrupt enemy operations and neutralize adversary targets. As Information Warfare evolves, so must the Splinter Cell. You must penetrate deeper into hostile territory and operate undetected, closer to the enemy than ever before. At your disposal is a lethal array of tactics ranging from Combat Knife techniques, experimental prototype weapons skills, and more radical hand-to-hand techniques such as the Inverted Chokehold. Experience the thrill of acting as a lone operative fighting tomorrow's threats in the field, and of cooperating online with a partner to accomplish crucial missions. Die in action, and the free world dies with you. Never-before-seen graphics technology offers the best visuals ever to appear on any platform. Advanced physics engine allows rag doll physics, particle effects and perfect interaction with the environment. The most complete arsenal of weapons and gadgets, from the combat knife to experimental prototype combat systems. Totally open level design with multipaths and optional secondary objectives. [Ubisoft]

Also On Metacritic

MUSIC: Amon Tobin: Chaos Theory: Splinter Cell 3 [Soundtrack]

GAMES: Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Double Agent Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central

Also On The Web: ActionTrip Preview Boomtown Preview EuroGamer Preview Game Revolution Preview GameSpot Impressions Official Game Site

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Maxim Online

No longer is there just one way to solve a treacherous night mission before the enemy picks up your audio signature: stealth will pay off just as well as good old-fashioned ultraviolence.

Read Full Review >

100

Pelaaja (Finland)

Sam Fisher, the western equivalent of Solid Snake, shines brightly in his third game as did his Japanese counterpart in his third game. As a whole, Chaos Theory is by far the best instalment in the Splinter Cell -series. The game does more than just recycle old ideas. [May 2005, p.60]

100

G4 TV

And the co-op means that, like the previous two games, Chaos Theory is as close to an essential buy as we can imagine.

Read Full Review >

100

1UP

The relaxed pace of the co-op gameplay lends itself better to a console controller, but beyond that the PC version holds up admirably to the Xbox one. It's the prettiest of the bunch.

Read Full Review >

100

Computer Games Magazine

So good, it makes the rest of the series look downright mediocre. [July 2005, p.52]

100

Computer Gaming World

More so than any other stealth-action game, Chaos Theory really makes you feel like a spy.

Read Full Review >

Game Informer

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]

IGN

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.

Read Full Review >

Worth Playing

A serious improvement in any way you care to name, from gameplay to its newly, eerily realistic graphics.

Read Full Review >

Gaming Nexus

Splinter Cell is such a departure from the humdrum that I can’t help but get sucked into it. It’s a meaty game with a LOT of content, and all of it has a sense of realism that is unmatched.

Read Full Review >

Play Magazine

In all things small and epic, from the palpable graininess of the game's predominantly poorly lit environments, to the endlessly thrilling second installment of the spies vs. mercenaries online competitions, Theory does not disappoint. [May 2005, p.44]

PGNx Media

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.

Read Full Review >

PC Gameworld

A truly great game that all fans need to own, despite some issues in the co-op mode.

Read Full Review >

Game Over Online

On the basis of single-player alone, Chaos Theory earns a high recommendation. If you can conquer Versus or find a buddy for co-op, it could be a Game of the Year contender.

Read Full Review >

2404.org

Chaos Theory's fluid gameplay and intuitive control scheme firmly demonstrates to others in the genre exactly how a stealth game should play and feel.

Read Full Review >

Game Chronicles

Chaos Theory has perhaps brought the series to its finest point, with improved graphics, A.I., more open-ended gameplay and a host of multiplayer additions.

Read Full Review >

FiringSquad

Yes, there are only four levels of co-op and we're tempted to tear into Ubi for not including more, but on the other hand the mere inclusion of co-op play is already a major achievement. If only the development team would be so nice as to release some level design tools.

Read Full Review >

Jolt Online Gaming UK

On a pure bang to buck ratio Chaos Theory comes out tops, but as we’re all too aware, there’s no accounting for taste. On the PC version, only online lag issues mar an otherwise excellent experience.

Read Full Review >

Pelit (Finland)

Offers more of the same great stealth action as the two previous instalments. This time it is smoother and even more playable than before, but the story is still virtually non-existent. The co-op mode is a great addition, it just needs more missions. [Apr. 05]

GameZone

Great game and with it being as challenging as it is, I can’t see this title becoming shelf material anytime soon.

Read Full Review >

Computer and Video Games

The presentation is also seriously top-drawer. You can see the standard of the graphics with your own eyes, but what you can't see is the triple-A voice-acting and the dirty, groove-laden soundtrack delivered by Amon Tobin. [PC Zone]

Read Full Review >

Game Revolution

If you're a PC gamer who likes hard games and brutal competition, Chaos Theory is a must-have. Don't let it out of your sight.

Read Full Review >

PC Gamer

To say that Chaos Theory is a tension-packed ride would be a vast understatement. This is easily one of my favorite franchises, and I'm already hungry for the next installment. [May 2005, p.74]

GameSpy

Mostly a joy to look at and play. It's a shame that the PC's co-op mode is so problematic, but it's a small complaint in the grand scheme of things: the solo campaign alone is worth the price of admission, and the versus mode is delicious icing on the cake.

Read Full Review >

Gamer's Hell

I would have liked to see a lot more made of the morality and revolutionary talk Doug Shetland brought up in the sole scene he and Sam confront each other with, because his character was really destroyed quite fast in a way that doesn't represent what he was to the series.

Read Full Review >

Loaded Inc

This is, by far, the most fun and accessible Splinter Cell title to date.

Read Full Review >

Computer Games Online RO

A stunning game. It's not original nor it does feature innovative ideas, but it managed to push this type of gameplay to heights we've never imagined before.

Read Full Review >

PC Format

Cool, dark and calculating, Splinter Cell finally plays as stylishly as it looks. [May 2005, p.100]

Inside Gamer Online

The weather effects are noticeably impressive in Chaos Theory, and for something so trivial, you’d be surprised just how striking they really are.

Read Full Review >

My Gamer

A mild revolution. It brings freshness to the series without making a great deal of changes. Only calculated risks where taken here.

Read Full Review >

GameSpot

Chaos Theory sometimes has a designed-by-committee feel due to its many disparate parts, and despite the game's grittier new theme and its new "Mature" rating, it's going to offer a familiar experience to Splinter Cell veterans. But even if some of the changes are marginal, this is still the most entertaining, most well-rounded game in the series yet.

Read Full Review >

The New York Times

Perhaps Sam is just getting older, perfecting his skills while losing some feistiness. His games are following the same path, with increasingly sophisticated, deep gameplay but a little less flair.

Read Full Review >

Eurogamer

The bottom line for us is that it has morphed into a dumbed-down experience that is no longer anywhere near as gripping and compelling as it once was, and while the multiplayer does bail out the overall value of the package to a large extent, it can't mask the decline elsewhere.

Read Full Review >

Edge Magazine

Chaos Theory is the game that the original Splinter Cell was meant to deliver: a tight play experience within a trusty framework, one more of enjoyment than irritation, and a game that’s no longer exclusively for fans of repeated reloading. [Apr 2005, p.97]

Thunderbolt

On it’s own, it’s the best stealth game on the PC by a good distance, with "Thief 3’s" lack of features trailing some way behind. But as a sequel, it’s painfully under-developed.

Read Full Review >

games(TM)

Despite the inclusion of new gadgets and stunning visuals, the series is starting to decompose; playing the same thing over and over is beginning to wear a little thin. It’s a good job the multiplayer experience continues to blossom. [Apr 2005, p.90]

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 7.8 (out of 10) based on 45 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Chris S gave it a10:
Truly one of the greatest games ever made. Six years after its release, people are still spy vs. merc'ing!

M Kokkalis gave it a10:
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 !

BFH gave it a10:
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.

Joseph P. gave it a10:
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.

Matt W gave it a10:
This is one of the few games that makes you say wow that was awsome.

[anonymous] gave it a10:
one of the best games :-). you can play in so many ways and i played them all and i loved it.

Sean N gave it a0:
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...

Games

Sony

Microsoft

Nintendo

Other Platforms

Upcoming &Recent Releases

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Chaos Theory

Game Info

Summary

Also On Metacritic

What The Critics Said

What Our Users Said

Upcoming &
Recent Releases