MaximumPC 2005 05

Reviews

T

he original Splinter Cell rein-

vented the stealth shooter. Its

sequel Pandora Tomorrow deliv-

ered near-perfect objective-based

multiplayer. The latest installment to

the series, Chaos Theory, takes the best

from its two predecessors to deliver

a game that’s superior to both. With

an inspired single-player campaign,

more of the same spy-vs.-mercenary

multiplayer, and a brilliant co-op

mode, Chaos Theory delivers.

As always, you assume the role of

Sam Fisher through 10 single-player

missions. Settings range from NYC

during a blackout to Hokkaido,

Japan. We’re pleased to report that

the single-player portions of Chaos

Theory are much more forgiving than

in previous iterations. In addition to

allowing the player to save the game

anywhere, Chaos Theory objectives are

separated into three broad categories:

primary, secondary, and opportunity.

Fail a primary objective, and you fail

the mission; the remaining objectives

are optional. In fact, we accidentally

gave a friendly target a dirt nap and

still went on to complete the mission.

Not having to repeat large sections

of a mission because of one tiny fatal

blunder eliminates 90 percent of the

previous games’ tedium.

As always, you have an impressive

array of super-spy gizmos at your

disposal. In addition to such favorites

as the sticky camera and the smoke

grenades, you also have a K-Bar knife

and a pistol-mounted EMP weapon

that’s capable of taking out most elec-

tronics—including lights, TV sets, and

computers. The EMP pistol is the per-

fect diversionary tool: Enemy guards

almost always leave their patrol route

to investigate malfunctioning equip-

ment, giving you an opportunity to

either sneak by unseen or neutralize

the target while he’s distracted. The

knife also gives you a convenient way

to quickly dispatch any enemies that

might see you and set off an alarm.

When you finish each mission, the

game rates your performance based

on the number of times you were

detected, the number of people you

had to kill, and the objectives you

accomplished. To achieve a perfect

100 percent on a mission, the enemy

should never know you were there.

You need not achieve a high rating to

continue, but the new scoring system

adds much-needed replayability to

the single-player campaign.

The brand-spanking new two-

player co-op mode is exactly what

co-op should be. Instead of simply

chucking two people into a single-

player mission, Ubisoft Montreal

built four exquisite new missions

specifically designed for co-op play.

These missions are not to be missed.

Co-op mode demands teamwork—

you’ll need to assault several enemies

at the same time, and cooperation is

necessary to complete the missions.

Voice communications are crucial,

but keep ‘em quiet. If you talk too

loud, the enemies will hear you. Our

only complaint with co-op? Four

missions ain’t enough.

Chaos Theory’s final boffo feature

is its spy-vs.-merc, two-on-two mul-

tiplayer. One team consists of two

mercs, the other of two spies. As in

Pandora Tomorrow , each team has dif-

ferent weapons and vision modes—

the spies gravitate toward nonlethal

weapons, while the rent-a-cops tote

weapons with maximum kill power.

This small-scale, objective-based mul-

tiplayer action is a welcome diversion

from the massive battles we’ve come

to expect on the PC. We’re stoked that

the latest version of Splinter Cell ’s mul-

tiplayer features built-in voice comm,

but the quality is lacking, even over a

rock-solid connection.

Chaos Theory is the best install-

ment of Splinter Cell yet. No serious

gamer should miss it.

—WILL SMITH

Splinter Cell:

Chaos Theory

Quietly making noise

This guard’s about to have a very bad day. Whether you shoot him in the

back of the head, grab him from behind, or let him live is up to you.

Our favorite

gadget is the

sticky camera.

In addition

to peeking

around

corners, it

makes sounds

that lure

unsuspecting

guards into

gassing range.

Excellent single-player campaign, and co-op kicks

serious ass.

SPOOK

PINKERTON

Not enough co-op missions, and voice-comm

quality is so-so.

$50, http://www.splintercell.com, ESRB rating: M

MA XIMUMPCVERDICT 9

Hacking computers finally

requires some skill. Using your

PDA, you have to select the

correct key sequence to hack

doors and computers.

78 MA XIMUMPC MAY 2005