Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory (GameCube) Preview

In 2007 valuable information has been leaked and one individual is in position of it, so CIA sends in the Splinter Cell, Sam Fisher, to retrieve it. However little does Sam know this code can be used to steal missiles, destroy the stock markets and plunge the world in a eternal black out. Looks like Sam has to go and save the world again. The levels within Chaos Theory will as usual, alter between different countries and environments, however this time there are not simply more pathways in each level, there are constant variables that change depending on what you do. Objectives alter on your actions, and some can be missed out entirely while others will lead to sub missions, such as killing a guard who you needed to interrogate will result in you needing to find a computer terminal to get the information from that the guard would have provided you.

Splinter Cell games have always had a metre to show how exposed by light you are, but now there is a sound metre to add even more realism to the game. Enemies will now react to sound, so footsteps and creaks will all provoke reactions, and Sam's one liners will probably arouse suspicion as well. However the metre also marks with a white line to show the ambient sound of each area, so if you make sure the metre is always under this level you will not be heard.

The single player mode looks to be expansive enough, but although no online mode will be present in the GameCube version Chaos Theory, a split screen cooperative mode will be included. The cooperative mode will include five missions specifically designed for cooperative play; one tutorial and four actual missions that run in tandem with the actual storyline. When working together with another Splinter Cell you can give each other leg ups to reach higher places, toss each other across gaps, Aragorn and Gimli style, throw each other into enemies, use your partner as a ladder, and aid each other as you rappel downwards.

Objectives also require each players to do puzzles together, such as cutting wires to a bomb at the same time or using gadgets together; like jamming an electronic, while the other acts as a target to be a distraction. The AI has also been improved drastically, so luring guards out using bait is the best way to secure rooms, and attacks coordinated between each player will result in success.