Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Chaos Theory®

So a few things. The game is incredible and its stood up to time just like how I remembered it back in the day. Super immersive, awesome mechanics and the environment and audio is just amazing even compared to todays standards honestly. Sam Fishers character is so iconic and in Chaos Theory they really peaked the franchise with him. If you never played it back in the day, dont worry about trying it now, it runs great on my computer no issues. Before you launch just go on pcgamerwiki and download the widescreen fix and the patches, no issues once you do that. Im on 4k 32", had issues and did that all fixed.

Legendary game

Really really good. As far as the stealth genre go, I'm pretty sure this is the chicken before the egg kind of thing. So much better than it's predecessor, I'm having a blast replaying this gem so far. Higly recommend it, even if you're not a fan of the serie. Chaos Theory might be the best of the Splinter Cell saga, period.

Final Rating: 100%, expert difficulty

GoTY 2005

Chaos Theory is the first stealth game I ever played. I played this on the PS2 as a kid and was addicted. It was the coolest game I ever saw. I played it again recently and it still is the coolest game I ever played. I was addicted

As a PS2 game on the Deck, it is a bit power-hungry. Pulling 15W at 90fps is a LOT for a PS2 game, especially when I pull 15W or less in modern AAAs. I managed to drop it down to 6W-7W with 'PowerTools' and frame caps

There is no built in controller support for this game, but it does has custom control setup for the Deck by default! The controls were also confusing. It took me a few hours to get the hang of it. There were no proper tutorials or guides/hints

No achievements, unfotunately. I'd love to add this to my completionist showcase

No cloud save, either. So once you uninstall, your save file goes with it. Unless you manually save it. Which IDC enough to. I took screenshots for my proof of completion

I want to play more Splinter Cell games so badly, but modern Ubisoft games don't exist on PC. I won't make some random account or download some random spyware launcher. The only reason I actually bought Chaos Theory is bcuz I didn't need some account or download some useless bloatware/spyware launcher

A brilliant stealth game. Yes, you can play some missions in full assault mode, but where's the fun in that?

It reminds me of simpler times, when UbiSoft was full of talented people like Patrice Désilets and Clint Hocking and was making innovative titles, back when Ubisoft wasn't a parody of a company managed by PR peoples and releasing mediocre, generic, bland and waterered down follow ups of their flag franchise every couple of months, recycling a formula they forgot how and why they invented inn the first place

I'm pretty sure this game is going to be delisted from the store soon

Campaign isn't really long, but this game is the embodiment of stealth. It's a true stealth experience. Sound meter, hiding in the shadows, doing these moves that aren't possible in other stealth games, killing someone through a wall, slow walking behind someone. One of the best stealth games.

Sweet game. This was the only game in the series I never got around to playing. I wish I would have played when it released. If you like the classic splinter cell or stealth games in general, this one is good to go.

genuinely just so much fun.

I have played this on gamecube when I was a kiddo. Good times. Playing it on pc is a bit different without the sensitivity a stick allowing for slow walking. might want to have a plan for that. The games a classic!

some bomb ass gameplay

One of the best stealth games I've ever played and it has a great soundtrack 9,5/10

Unfortunately the game doesn't work on windows 10/11. Which is a massive pity, as this was one of my favorite games on the Xbox. There is no sound, and the triggers dont work. Also the disclaimer on the game's page that this game was not designed to work with controllers is kinda funny/ ridiculous.

good game, good music background

Worst controls of any game I have ever played in my entire life. To put it in perspective, in order to move faster/slower you have to use the scroll wheel. If you try to customize the keybinds (whether using keyboard OR controller) there are so many buttons for so many different outputs that you might as well just learn how to use the default. This game really hasn't aged well at all and hasn't really been modernized in any way. I played for about an hour in a half and no combination of keybinds made any sense to my brain at all, and I'm someone that has played several thousand video games and can usually adapt to controls instantly. This game was great and critically acclaimed at the time, but I do not recommended this for casual fans of the series. IMO Metal Gear Solid has aged significantly better than the early Splinter Cell games.

Purely brilliant! Been a fan of the SC series since they came out. Still playing them through from time to time in nostalgia, just like Max Payne, Age of Empires, etc.

Metal Gear but for straight people.

It is Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory. It is the stealth game of 2005. This is before Ubisoft went full french mode. Pretty good game. 9/10

Sam looks so funny.
I dunno why.
Also great stealth game.

Definitely best splinter cell game

Its a good game but its so bad at introducing the mechanics. Unlike 1 where you go to retraining and get to familiarize with the controls and all your gadgets here you are given a video tutorials on how things work. i find hacking hard the first time as it wasn't explain I had to learn it by trial and error how it works, and lockpicking is dumb easy you wont even fail.

I like the improvements in graphics and QOL I will give it that.
Some parts of missions are so hard to understand on what to to or where to go I have to open up walkthrough.

On late missions you will face enemies same as you which are very frustrating to fight as they seem to know where you are at all times and have more accuracy.
Also also I hate how guns work in this game a little walk or arm movement and your accuracy just expands so big you cant hit enemies even though they are right in the center of your crosshair. Hope sequels remove this artificial difficulty nonsense in gunplay.
On last mission something bug out on me and I was wandering for almost an hour and have to look for guide only to find out I did all things right but I have to reuse the computer again to open a certain door even though its already shown in game that I activate it but didn't work the first time.
Also I got stuck in a red hall in final mission cause I always get caught, turns out my pistol has special feature that disable electronics and I didn't even know it exist until the Final mission that is how bad the game is in explaining basic things.

The best stealth game I've ever played from the best stealth series to have come out of gaming. I recommend this game as well as the series as a whole. Don't waste time reading this review, just buy it and you'll understand.

A proper Splinter Cell game! Not like Conviction and Blacklist which are pieces of trash. one of the top stealth games out there, even to this day. And back when Ubisoft actually cared about what they released.

I will always favor the Thief series for the theme, world, story, and voice acting/dialog (and some of the levels are the best gaming has to offer), but Chaos Theory, in terms of stealth mechanics and sound design, is a technical masterpiece.

Game is the pinnacle of save scumming. Played this on Expert difficulty where one or two shots means you're dead. I can now confidently say I have beaten the game without taking damage once and possibly have the capability to now be Sam Fisher in real life and take out anybody without suffering real life consequences.

The bomb defusal part sucked though, I have played that shit so many times I can replicate Shetland's speech word for word.

Great game with great stealth mechanics

Pinnacle of the series, and the best stealth game I've ever played.

9/10.

The game would not launch, very disappointing.

Deft & Refined // Recommended as a significant step up for the series

+ Gameplay feels much, much more polished compared to its predecessors
+ Gunplay feels equally improved
+ Love the noise meter
+ Sneaking up on victims is so much better in this installment
+ Introduces a lot of new gameplay mechanics, all of which added to the experience instead of feeling like a cheap gimmick
+ Feels much less linear than its predecessors
+ Strong environmental design

+/- There are some odd tonal shifts, the game seemingly shooting for a grittier feel, but with a lot of little jokes thrown in throughout

- Multiplayer elements are dead

Chaos Theory is a masterpiece. Pure and simple. No, seriously. It is that brilliant. I highly doubt I'll ever love a stealth game as much as CT. The stealth mechanics, which have you using light and sound (or lack thereof) to your advantage, are implemented so well that sneaking past guards never ceases to create a rush. This game has extensive replay value. Playing the game for the sixth time still game me adrenaline rushes, and every time I replay each level I notice more depth to the ingenious level design than I did my previous attempts.

The level design is simply unbeatable for a stealth game. Everything feels intentional. Every object, switch, or corner feels like it serves a purpose. While the game is linear, going generally from point A to point B, there are multiple paths from A to B. making a truly unique stealth game which is almost nonlinear in its linearity,.

The controls are fluid and intuitive, and you're given a wealth of resources to aid you in the field, further improving the beauty of sneaking in the dark. But your enemies are sharp. One wrong move and they'll be onto you, creating an addicting sense of suspense.

And the soundtrack. One of my all time favourites. So atmospheric and tonally consistent with your environments.

The story probably isn't particularly memorable. In fact, I found it to be perhaps a little too convoluted for its own good. I personally don't mind, since I play games mainly for game play, not story line. Besides, it may not be brilliant, but its certainly not bad either (feels almost like an episode of '24' when it was still good). It does also accomplish what I think a story line for a video game should really only aspire to be: a way of justifying why you're doing the things you're doing and giving direction to the game. Also, it has great voice acting. Michael Ironside is phenomenal as Sam Fisher, giving him a sharp charisma and an almost infectious wit. Fisher's snarky conversations with his superiors and allies in intelligence live rent-free in my head. The other characters are awesome too. The authoritative but well-meaning Irving Lambert. The laconic and friendly computer nerd William Redding. And I especially like Grimm. Her and Sam share an almost father-daughter relationship which I absolutely adore. *SPOILER ALERT:* the main antagonist of the game, Doug Shetland, is a chilling megalomaniac who wishes to bring about global war. He truly believes what he's doing is for the greater good, and all collateral damage will pave the way to a better future and is therefore a small price to pay. He is truly a disturbing character, mainly since history is absolutely full of sick individuals like him. And him and Fisher have a stand-off in the penultimate mission which is easily my favourite showdown in any video game thus far. *END OF SPOILERS*.

This game has aged well. Too well, in fact. The plot revolves around many issues of global concern, mainly cyber warfare, surveillance states, and WWIII, all of which, needless to say, have become all the more relevant in the almost-20 years since this game graced consoles and PC's for the first time in 2005. The story involves countries around the world in heightened states of tension and on the brink of all-out war. Of course, playing this game in 2024, its hard not to see parallels between the plot of CT and the issues we currently face in the world.

The only time the game truly falters is in its second-last mission, which features an abysmal sequence where you must sneak past two groups of N.P.C's having a gunfight, and its completely up to chance whether or not they see you. It feels like an absolute betrayal of what made the game great elsewhere. Also, the penultimate mission and final mission should have been interchanged, since the former is clearly the designated "shit hits the fan" mission which should come last. However, these flaws are the only ones I can think of, even if I try really hard to name another.

Overall: 10/10. My favourite stealth game ever. I don't think any will top it. The only one I have faith in is Metal Gear Solid V, but I'm not sure. I'll have to wait until I play MGS V before I can say. But I think deep down I know Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory will always be my favourite stealth game. Because honestly I just don't think stealth game play gets any better than this.

Quality dip at the end aside, I think this is a pretty good stealth game with some impeccable atmosphere. Using the middle mouse button to control movement speed is actually quite mindblowing, given most stealth games only have a running and walking speed.

people who say the mgs games are the only worthwile stealth games from that area are smoking, this game might be the best non-open world stealth game i have ever played. absolutely masterful level design, great exhaustion of the mechanics and criminally underrated overall. dont be dumb and play this asap

an improvement over the original in every way, more levels, more gadgets and more level variety, you will have to get a fps fix in the game's ini files because the single player campaign is locked at 30fps by default. This has set a high bar for stealth games, definitely one of the best out there. Similar to the first game there is still some jank, there times you will randomly clip and stick to objects in the environment forcing you to reload your last quicksave, or sometimes where enemy ai will be unfairly alerted to your exact position when you are in maximum darkness, far away and shooting at a light. The level design does get confusing at times, trying to figure out where to go to next since levels are lot bigger and spacious than the first. Not perfect, but an excellent game

I enjoy the first game and this one improves everything from it. The game run really well on steam deck I didn't need to change controller layout like the previous game.

The best game in the Splinter Cell series, and quite possibly one of the best stealth games of all time.

There is nothing I can say that has not already been said. I've finished this game at least once a year since 2014, it's a masterpiece in every sense of the word and one of the finest stealth games ever made.

Game is almost 20 years old and looks better than most modern games. It has better stealth mechanics than even Metal Gear Solid 5.

So fun in co-op. What an incredible series.

I wanted to play this for so long as a kid but it was M.

Sam Fisher had a knife, I just thought it looked so cool. And it still is.

Being able to play this game, from my childhood, has been one of the best experiences ever. While it has those Xbox 360 old school vibes, its still such a good game, runs well, and its still just as addictive.