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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Chaos Theory
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 29 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 21 votes
Read user comments
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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: GameSpot Hands-On IGN Preview 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...
GameSpy
The game's surfaces all look picture perfect thanks to a new technology called GeoTexturing, and the lighting engine has improved greatly since the last time. All of the characters models and animations are fluid, especially when it comes to controlling Sam.
Read Full Review >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 >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 >Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
Patience, careful planning, and a certain tolerance for trial and error are far more important than quick reflexes and an itchy trigger finger, which means it's not really for everyone. But if you're willing to put forth the effort, you're in for a supremely satisfying time.
Read Full Review >Gaming Age
Without a doubt the best the stealth genre can offer... One of the best games I have ever played.
Read Full Review >PSM Magazine
Challenging, gratifying, and revolutionary all at once, there's simply nothing out there remotely like [the new co-op mode]. [May 2005, p.68]
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]
Gamers' Temple
The online mode is not something for the casual player, but if you take the time to learn to play the game right and to study the layout of the maps it can be an exciting experience.
Read Full Review >Game Chronicles
It doesn’t get much better than this folks. Regardless of whether or not the online is just a rehash of the last, or that the levels aren’t quite as large as the Xbox’s title, and even if the co-op is only split-screen – Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory is the best of the best on the PS2.
Read Full Review >Game Informer
Play it on Xbox if you can, but if you can't, don't miss out on what is arguably the best spy-themed video game to date. [May 2005, p.114]
Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK
Top stealth adventure, travelling the world to surprise terrorists. [Jan 2007, p.106]
AceGamez
Three brilliant games rolled into one that could all easily be sold separately. The single player is incredibly satisfying while the co-op is one of a kind, adding a fresh and very addicting face to the co-op genre.
Read Full Review >1UP
Every item that was shiny on the Xbox looks dull on the PS2. Still, relative to other PS2 games, it looks great.
Read Full Review >GameZone
The story for Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory feels like it was taken directly out of one of Tom Clancy’s novels.
Read Full Review >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 >Armchair Empire
If the first two games left you in the dark with the heavy emphasis on stealth, then Chaos Theory will certainly intrigue you as there’s the option to play it like an action game.
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 >Worth Playing
I found Chaos Theory to be much more experimental in nature, given the unbelievably stronger focus on stealth gameplay, made tangible by the sound meters and the knifeplay.
Read Full Review >IGN
Like the other games in the series, Chaos Theory will wow you with its visuals and technical bravado, but lacks the depth of the other high-end PS2 stealth-action game, "Snake Eater."
Read Full Review >GamingTrend
Visually spectacular and open on the Xbox and PC, but very dark and claustrophobic on the PS2.
Read Full Review >Inside Gamer Online
The PlayStation 2 version isn’t bad, but it’s lack of technical godliness is a relative hindrance, and the online mode is a little less fleshed out than that of the Xbox and PC versions.
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]
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]
Gamestyle
Matches the high intrigue of previous releases, and even throws a few new tricks into the rucksack.
Read Full Review >Gamenikki
I just be hating on certain aspects of Splinter Cell’s gameplay formula, and I think it’s about time someone threw a contrary opinion into the ring.
Read Full Review >Game Revolution
Sadly, the PS2 version of Chaos Theory is very dark and not handsome at all. The animations are a little choppy, the framerate isn't completely solid, and since things are so dim, you'll probably spend most of your time looking at the environments through night-vision, which is kind of murky and green.
Read Full Review >GameSpot
Strictly on its own merits, this version is a good but unimpressive action adventure that still smacks of being a watered-down port of a technically superior game.
Read Full Review >DarkStation
Just an average stealth game on the PS2. It suffers from frame rate problems and just doesn't offer as much as we all would have hoped.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this game is 8.7 (out of 10) based on 21 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Carlos L. gave it an8:
THIS GAME IS JUST PLAIN FUN. This game has the best coop ever me and my friends spend hours just sneaking around knocking guys out. The single player though has one problem some maps are so huge you get lost (Second level on the boat couldn't find Hugo) this is the best in the series so far not counting DOuble Agent. They lost the stupid 3 alarms mission over so u can go around killing everybody and setting off alarms but that makes the game harder. The last level is a bitch. The only drawback are the graphics are not up to par with the other versions.
Steve S. gave it an8:
The Xbox version was amazing, but unfortunately the same can't be said about the PS2 one. Certain aspects of the Xbox version were far more superior, including the mulitplayer mode. However the gameplay was still good as were the graphics, resulting in a pretty good game.
Tony B. gave it a9:
This is by far the best splinter cell game in the series. the new moves the co-op everything about it is great. a little like metal gear but i think its a lot better because its realistic no godlike characters with special powers and people die with a few shots. very good game deffinatly worth a purchase if u like stealth or the previous splinter cells or even metal gear.
Super King gave it a6:
A pretty average game that impresses at first with a few genuinely neat touches. Graphics are hit and miss and the script is appaling but the multiplayer is probably worth the price of admission or at least a rental.
Robert G. gave it an8:
Awsome in both ways. 2 players are short.
Y U gave it a10:
It is teh best tom clancy game ever.
John T. gave it a7:
The last two Splinter cells were execllent but this one they added too much coarse language and wrecked the game, too bad.
