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. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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.
  5. NateB.
    Apr 2, 2005
    0
    This is ridiculous. How was ubisoft able to release such a broken product? For about 70% of all people who buy this game, the Co-op simply does not work, and for those that it will work for you can expect to get kicked off every 2 minutes (or less). I highly suggest reading the forums on Splinter Cell's homepage (www.splintercell.com). In order to play online, you have to open all This is ridiculous. How was ubisoft able to release such a broken product? For about 70% of all people who buy this game, the Co-op simply does not work, and for those that it will work for you can expect to get kicked off every 2 minutes (or less). I highly suggest reading the forums on Splinter Cell's homepage (www.splintercell.com). In order to play online, you have to open all these ports, which is something most people do not to do. But that's only if you get past the bug where this game also has a problem with CD-RWs and DVD-Rs. So if you buy this game, there's a possibility you computer cannot read the disks. Also, some of the cd keys for a LEGAL copy do not work either. I could go on and on about the problems. All I'm interested in is the Co Op and multiplayer modes, and they just don't work. I also forgot, if you have problems and report them to Ubisoft, as kind as you are, they WILL NOT respond or help you in any way. Never buy ubi products, ever (especially this game). All you're doing is giving money to people who release unfinished products.… Expand
  6. 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
  7. SeanN
    Aug 29, 2009
    0
    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 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...… Expand
  8. RyanJ
    Apr 12, 2005
    0
    This is ridiculous. To get the multiplayer to work I found out from UbiSoft that you must open up a whole bunch of ports (something the average gamer does not know how to do) and also UNINSTALL your anti-virus software. Unbelieveable. This game should not have been released, it is absurdly false advertising. The co-op and the versus simply do not work. I have played at least 10 PCThis is ridiculous. To get the multiplayer to work I found out from UbiSoft that you must open up a whole bunch of ports (something the average gamer does not know how to do) and also UNINSTALL your anti-virus software. Unbelieveable. This game should not have been released, it is absurdly false advertising. The co-op and the versus simply do not work. I have played at least 10 PC games online in both co-op and versus modes, and none of them have ever had issues like this, including Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow. Do not buy this game, teach UbiSoft a lesson.… Expand
  9. StevenB.
    Apr 2, 2005
    6
    Good game but not many improvements over the last instalemnt.
  10. RyanJ.
    May 15, 2005
    0
    Die! This is crap. My initial post got deleted because you thought I was someone else who didn't enjoy this "game". Loser. Whats to stop Matthieu R. (worst spelling of the name Matthew ever by the way) and Jacob H. from being the same person? They both gave it tens, they could just as easily be the same person as myself and Nate B. (who is not me). Oh, editor? Just because somebody Die! This is crap. My initial post got deleted because you thought I was someone else who didn't enjoy this "game". Loser. Whats to stop Matthieu R. (worst spelling of the name Matthew ever by the way) and Jacob H. from being the same person? They both gave it tens, they could just as easily be the same person as myself and Nate B. (who is not me). Oh, editor? Just because somebody says we're the same person, doesn't make it true. If you knew anything about technology you would have IP logging which would show you that we are, in fact, not the same person. Rot. Oh, just to make this something about the game, it was horrible.… Expand
  11. JacobH.
    May 9, 2005
    10
    It is a very good game
  12. 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.
  13. RyanJ
    May 12, 2005
    0
    This game is terrible, it doesn't work at all on multiplayer. Why was my comment taken down? Is it that far fetched that two different people have the same problem with this crappy game? Anyone who gave this a decent score deserves to be shot because they're just saying it's okay for game companies to release half completed projects and charge $50 for them. [Ed: Sorry aboutThis game is terrible, it doesn't work at all on multiplayer. Why was my comment taken down? Is it that far fetched that two different people have the same problem with this crappy game? Anyone who gave this a decent score deserves to be shot because they're just saying it's okay for game companies to release half completed projects and charge $50 for them. [Ed: Sorry about deleting your original post.]… Expand
  14. 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.
  15. 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
  16. 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!
  17. GolovA
    Jul 7, 2013
    3
    Was completely unplayable for me due to the TERRIBLE CAMERA ANGLES. When making a third person game, it is of the paramount importance to adjust the camera. Didn't look like a good job in this case: when the game starts, i can't see where i am going inside the cave, most of the time i cannot even see myself so, how can i move anywhere? When aiming using a piston half of the screen isWas completely unplayable for me due to the TERRIBLE CAMERA ANGLES. When making a third person game, it is of the paramount importance to adjust the camera. Didn't look like a good job in this case: when the game starts, i can't see where i am going inside the cave, most of the time i cannot even see myself so, how can i move anywhere? When aiming using a piston half of the screen is blocked by my own arm! What?! Seeing all the good reviews, knowing Tom Clancy's titles, i hope the aforementioned problems are local to my PC only. Can't give more than a three, since i was not able to play the game, due to its disastrous flying camera.… Expand
  18. 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!
  19. WestLil0
    Nov 7, 2014
    2
    Maybe for 2005 this game was acceptable, but frankly the PC controls are horrible. The objectives and action are so basic it's way too slow and boring. I made the mistake of playing Splinter Cell Blacklist first and I liked it much more than I thought, so what the heck, figured I would try Chaos. I should have known there would be a major difference in playability and graphics. Not worthMaybe for 2005 this game was acceptable, but frankly the PC controls are horrible. The objectives and action are so basic it's way too slow and boring. I made the mistake of playing Splinter Cell Blacklist first and I liked it much more than I thought, so what the heck, figured I would try Chaos. I should have known there would be a major difference in playability and graphics. Not worth it in my opinion, even for just $9… Expand
  20. 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
  21. 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.
  22. AZE_TUR_Gamer
    Apr 15, 2021
    10
    My Favourite stealth game :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D
  23. petrkozak13
    Dec 13, 2021
    9
    I played this game long time ago but I remember it as the best Splinter Cell game available.
  24. 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.
  25. 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
  26. 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!
  27. 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
  28. 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.
  29. 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 -_-.
  30. MattW
    Sep 5, 2009
    10
    This is one of the few games that makes you say wow that was awsome.
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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.
    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
See all critic reviews »