With more plot
twists and more pulse-pounding moments than an episode of 24, the
Splinter Cell games have been giving us fans of this stealth-action series
something to write home about and has made us eager to jump right back into the
stealthy shoes of Third Echelon operative Sam Fisher. While the series has made
quite an impression on the Xbox crowd, GameCube owners are just happy to get a
piece of the action and even more so now with its exclusive features. Splinter
Cell: Chaos Theory for the GameCube is finally here and trust me when I say
that this one should be among your gaming library.
At the start of
Chaos Theory’s main story mode – called Solo mode here – we watch as a
Japanese ship reaches a Chinese and North Korean blockade. It seems that Japan
has created quite a stir among these countries due to Japan’s creation of an
Information Self-Defense Force – an act deemed illegal by international law and
one that sparks the memory of the old Japanese Empire of World War II. To make
matters worse, there is a gifted computer programmer with the knowledge of an
algorithm that could damage the economy, blackout major cities and leave nations
defenseless against terrorist attacks. Once again, Third Echelon sends its best
man, Sam Fisher, into terrorist camps to keep the situation from becoming a
full-blown incident that could spiral out of control.
For the GameCube,
Chaos Theory obviously does not support the online multiplayer mode both
the Xbox and PS2 versions support, but on the bright side it does bring us the
game’s two-player Co-op Mode (more on that in a little while). There are also
some major differences in the game’s main mode, particularly when it comes to
the level design. Unlike the Xbox version, where the environments are more
expansive, the Cube version feels more restricted and thus makes the game feel a
lot more linear. Corridors that lead to other rooms are now just corridors that
will get you where you need to go. This isn’t necessarily bad but if you’re a
gamer who owns a Xbox and likes to explore then you’ll want to consider buying
the Xbox version. Still, all the major elements are intact and the missions are
just too good either way.
For one thing,
unlike Pandora Tomorrow, this one places more emphasis on action than
stealth. Stealth is still a wise approach but you’ll find plenty of moments when
you’ll be shooting or snapping necks. Fisher can now dangle from a pipe, wait
for an armed guard to walk close to you and then drop down to grab him and break
his neck. GameCube owners even get a stealth kill the Xbox version doesn’t get
where Fisher could strike from the water and pull enemies in for a gruesome
death. Here’s another exclusive; you can connect your Game Boy Advance to the
GameCube using the Nintendo GameCube Game Boy Advance cable. This allows you to
use your GBA to read OPSAT messages, monitor activity from the point of view of
a sticky camera or bring up a mini-map of the area. This feature actually works
wonderfully and the mini-map is certainly helpful.
The game
controls well enough that all Fisher’s basic moves and actions are performed
easily enough. Then again the GameCube’s controller might not be the best for a
game with a large number of little extras like the whistle and the weapon list
menu. To make Fisher do something as simple as whistle, you have to press the Z
button and then move the directional pad to the left. Other then that, though,
the gameplay is handled well and that’s a good thing since the game’s difficulty
level is pretty hard. The enemy AI is a lot smarter and they react a lot more
quickly than in the last game. They’ll actually duck for cover and move more
cautiously in dark areas.
There’s also a
multiplayer mode in the form of Co-op Mode. This mode allows you to play with a
friend in a split-screen mode that takes you through four missions. Together you
form a pair of spies in training as you work together to neutralize specific
threats but in order to do so you’ll have to use each another’s skills
throughout the missions. Teamwork here means you’ll have to call a friend over
to give them a boost or to rappel said friend Mission Impossible-style
down a shaft to reach a computer terminal. There are even times when opening a
single door requires both players to tap into the grid at the same time.
This is also one
seriously gorgeous GameCube game so expect all the usual visual detail that made
Pandora Tomorrow such a visual treat. Once again the lighting is the best
I’ve seen in a game and the particle effects are still as impressive as ever but
it’s the character design and environments that have been reworked. Fisher’s
moves are somehow more natural looking this time around and the rag-doll effects
allow enemies to slump over objects or tip over ledges.
Sound-wise, the
Tom Clancy franchise never fails to keep gamers enthralled with its detailed
surround sound, great score and excellent voice acting. Chaos Theory
continues the tradition with its great score that stays calm during calm moments
and then ups the tempo when enemies are combing the area looking for you. The
sound effects are heavily detailed enough that you can make out voices coming
from tents while crickets conceal your footsteps. The voice acting is, again,
top-notch and that includes everyone in the whole cast of characters introduced
throughout the game.
Splinter
Cell: Chaos Theory
just didn’t improve its gorgeous visual style but it also gives
us one genuinely enjoyable stealth-action game for the GameCube. Compared to the
Xbox version it might have cut the corners here and there in the level design,
but we’re still looking at a game with a great story, even greater visuals, a
much-appreciated Co-op mode and Cube exclusives. Really, if you don’t own a Xbox
this is still a game you should really consider buying right away.
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Gameplay: 8.5
The GameCube
controller isn’t the best controller for Splinter Cell and you’ll quickly
find this out when you’re fumbling to change your weapons. Still the basic moves
are handled nicely and the new moves – particularly the dangling-neck-snapping
move – is downright cool to pull off. The missions are bite-sized but still
challenging.
Graphics: 9.2
Consider this
one of the most impressive-looking GameCube games. There’s plenty of neat visual
effects and the lighting in the game is – bar none – the best ever seen. The
character models also look great and the rag doll physics is done to perfection.
Sound: 9.5
Who knew Sam
Fisher had a sense of humor? The dialogue is witty and thus makes the characters
in this one a lot less caricature-like. The music is nail-bitingly tense during
some tight spots and the sound effects are amazingly detailed to the point that
you’ll be turning up the volume on this one. Great work!
Difficulty:
Hard
Even in the
game’s medium difficulty setting this is one tough game. The reason is simple:
the enemy AI is sharp as a tack and Fisher, naturally, can’t take a lot of
damage. You’ll find the enemy lighting up lanterns or glow sticks in order to
catch a glimpse of you. Some even drop for cover and fire at your from behind
cover.
Concept: 9.0
Even on the
GameCube, Chaos Theory looks and plays well, but it’s the Game Boy
Advance connectivity features, exclusive stealth kill and Co-op mode make this a
game to get. The missions are fun and I see gamers playing this one again and
again.
Multiplayer:
8.5
While us
GameCube owners are seriously missing out on the great online multiplayer mode
of the other consoles, we do get a really good Co-op Mode with a number of neat
missions to complete together with a friend split-screen style.
Overall: 8.7
Loaded with
plenty of action and enough international intrigue too keep us hooked from start
to finish, Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory should be on the top of your Must
Buy list. While the GameCube version isn’t as complete as the Xbox version, the
overall quality of the gameplay is intact and the Cube exclusives are an
excellent touch and worth the price of admission.
