Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory

 PC
User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 607 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 527 out of 607
  2. Mixed: 60 out of 607
  3. Negative: 20 out of 607
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  1. danield80
    Dec 21, 2021
    6
    Splinter Cell is a self-proclaimed "Stealth Action Redefined" and Chaos Theory is arguably its best entry.
    Well, it's a pretty bold statement for a game that's solely based on the contrast of light and darkness. So, stay in the shadows and you literally do not exist for the guards. Naturally, you have to make the levels so dark in order to have somewhere to hide. This game is even darker    Splinter Cell is a self-proclaimed "Stealth Action Redefined" and Chaos Theory is arguably its best entry.
    Well, it's a pretty bold statement for a game that's solely based on the contrast of light and darkness. So, stay in the shadows and you literally do not exist for the guards. Naturally, you have to make the levels so dark in order to have somewhere to hide. This game is even darker than "Layers of Fear". Luckily, you have night vision goggles which glitch sometimes when entering a new area. Just amazing. Simply restart the level. It's nothing out of the ordinary since you've been constantly reloading saves for every missed shot since the aiming is like a lottery.
    The enemies are so big bren they find a restroom with turned off lights and nobody in it suspicious. So, now we have guards that know which specific room should be lit and which doors closed in the whole building but can't see a guy with three shining bulbs on his head in the shadows. Unbelievable.
    This game is praised for its excellent graphics yet the guards' faces look like foching goblins!
    The sound in this game is imbalanced. Sometimes you can't hear conversations that happen right in front of your nose. And the music is terrible as well. Rumbling af even if there's no threat anymore.

    Chaos Theory offers a coop multiplayer. The levels are more interesting than the single player campaign's levels. That's pathetic. The relation crashes whenever your wifi goes weak for a second. The coop is full of glitches (even game-breaking). This makes playing it a painful experience.

    As a whole, Splinter Cell is just a glorified Xbox franchise and feels like a cheap Android knock-off of Metal Gear Solid, a much better franchise. Which is predominantly a PS franchise. But don't worry, some are available on Xbox as well.    … Expand
  2. 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.
  3. StevenB.
    Apr 2, 2005
    6
    Good game but not many improvements over the last instalemnt.
  4. 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.    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
  5. Budget_Security
    Jul 5, 2014
    5
    Played in 2014, so I may be a bit harsh:
    Solid but average (for me). It looks like DeusEx:HumanRevolution imitated much of this game. Gameplay is solid and tactical, but I found it a bit too linear and scripted. The controls also feel a bit clunky, especially if you have to start shooting. I had a few minor issues with light detection. Calling this game average may be a bit harsh (I can    Played in 2014, so I may be a bit harsh:
    Solid but average (for me). It looks like DeusEx:HumanRevolution imitated much of this game. Gameplay is solid and tactical, but I found it a bit too linear and scripted. The controls also feel a bit clunky, especially if you have to start shooting. I had a few minor issues with light detection. Calling this game average may be a bit harsh (I can see why most people loved it), but that's how I feel. Most graphics are average, but some details were really good, like a floor cleaner really making the part he cleans with his mop more reflective as he goes! Maybe worth getting in a steam sale. Fortunately no Uplay account required.
    Essential PC tip: go to pcgamingwiki for easy instructions on how to increase the FOV, which is too low.    … Expand
  6. Basem101
    Aug 20, 2013
    6
    i decided to give splinter cell another shot with this one but still i can't seem to love it at all am not saying that the game is bad but somehow i didn't like it
  7. Gorbunov2004
    Mar 25, 2021
    6
    Игра не рыба ни мясо прикольные спец-агентские гаджеты но стрельба просто ужасна сюжет средний!
  8. nazarkin123
    Mar 12, 2021
    7
    My first and maybe the best stealth-action games. Not that cool story but the gameplay was really interesting.

Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Best PC Game of 2005
17
#17 Most Discussed PC Game of 2005
14
#14 Most Shared PC Game of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
92

Universal acclaim - based on 36 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 36 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 36
  3. Negative: 0 out of 36
  1. Game Informer
    98
    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. IGN
    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.
    Read full review
  3. Worth Playing
    96
    A serious improvement in any way you care to name, from gameplay to its newly, eerily realistic graphics.
    Read full review
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