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. 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.
  2. zto101
    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.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
  3. 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    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 you need a pretty decent computer to enjoy the game in its full graphical glory. All in all, this game is a blast.    … Expand
  4. JacobH.
    May 9, 2005
    10
    It is a very good game
  5. 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.
  6. Higher_Standard
    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.
  7. KhorneFlakes
    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 $10Easily 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
  8. THE_COCONUT_MAN
    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!
  9. Mike_Morhaime
    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!
  10. captrvs21
    Nov 5, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Story 9.7
    Characters 9.7
    Coop 9.7
    Weapons and Gadgets 9.7
    Game-play 9.7
    AI Enemies 9.7    … Expand
  11. Trix122
    Feb 13, 2023
    9
    Best splinter cell by far. Along Metal gear solid, best stealth game ever.
    It was so ahead of it's time... released in 2005 and it has insane textures details and lightning/shadows. If it wasn't for the character models you would say this was released on ps3 gen.
  12. AZE_TUR_Gamer
    Apr 15, 2021
    10
    My Favourite stealth game :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D
  13. petrkozak13
    Dec 13, 2021
    9
    I played this game long time ago but I remember it as the best Splinter Cell game available.
  14. 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.
  15. 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 twoSimply 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
  16. 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!
  17. 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
  18. 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.
  19. 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 -_-.
  20. MattW
    Sep 5, 2009
    10
    This is one of the few games that makes you say wow that was awsome.
  21. 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!
  22. PatrickO.
    Mar 29, 2005
    10
    This game rocks!!!! Something for everyone!
  23. 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 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
  24. 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 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
  25. 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.
  26. [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.
  27. 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.
  28. 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 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
  29. Spartan111
    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 whenProbably 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
  30. RsinX
    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 tooSC 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
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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.
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  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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