Splinter Cell Chaos Theory Preview

Back with a flashbang Sam Fisher returns as the no nonsense, highly flexible, multiple lung endowed, pistol wielding hero. The third offering from the creators of such global hits like Splinter cell and Pandora Tomorrow return with their butterfly wing flapping wreaking havoc in Texas inspired title Chaos Theory.

Releasing soon in India for the PC, Xbox and PS2, Chaos theory comes packed with a horde of new features and tech updates from its predecessor, Pandora Tomorrow.

Splinter Cell Chaos Theory demo starts off with the crouched silhouette of Sam, night vision gogs pecked above his head, in stark contrast to an overcast sky pregnant with lightning. The sky rolls distant thunders below its spitfire tongue, pressing a key and seeing movement on the screen is what jolts you back. The feeling of awe that this is actually in game.

In the dark

The story starts of in the year 2007; Japan s creation of an Information Self Defense Force is deemed a violation of international law and of their own Constitution and ignites rising tensions between Japan, China and North Korea. Facing North Korean and Chinese blockades of shipping across the Korea Strait, Japan requests US assistance in accordance with American obligations under Article 9 of the Japanese Post War Constitution.

Mounting evidence gathered by the I-SDF indicates that the devastation of the Japanese economy on the now infamous ‘Black Gold Day’ may have been caused by intentional Information Warfare attacks.

As nations begin to mobilize and the United States activates the USS Clarence E Walsh, the world’s premiere Electronic and Information Warfare platform and dispatches her to the region, Third Echelon gets wind of a small and seemingly unrelated incident that may end up having global repercussions…

Dark and vicious

As always, Developers Ubisoft, have removed all stops in developing one of the most robust graphics engine you will see around. Replete with life, the game immerses you in the characteristic splinter cell atmosphere of gloom, darkness and a figure in the shadows.

Advanced physics modelling including rag doll physics, particle effects and seamlessly rendered environments that allow you to traverse from over terra to another without a load, have been included.

Michael Ironside returns as the voice of Sam Fisher. Amon Tobin provides the soundtrack for the game, with cinematicc created by Andy Davis, director of The Fugitive, Under Seige and Collateral Damage.

Ubisoft’s contribution to the word open end, involves having more options to choose from how to finish your missions. There are multiple pathways to choose from. The way you go about the game determines which parts of it will be unlocked for you. If you happen to plug a bullet in to an informative nugget of AI, you could rely on tapping into the appropriate computer for accessing the same information. On the other hand, if you happen to take the course that requires you to access the computer, you might not even require having a rendezvous with the information carrier.

My little buddies

Fisher’s arsenal has been perked up this time around too. Featuring the customizable SC - 20k modular weapons platform, you can also introduce your fuzzy friends to the shiny new combat knife, available in varying shades of black. He gets an upgrade in the moves department too with a few new stealth manoeuvres under his sleeve, a few snazzy snaps with the knife, the pythonic crusher and a few muscle pulling assault moves that you could try at home.

In the shadows all my lifeeee

The multiplayer mode gives you two options to choose from, the Cooperative Stealth mode and the award winning Versus mode.

In the cooperate mode, you can team up with other mates to coordinate infiltration missions against the A.I. online. As in Pandora Tomorrow, the multiplayer of Chaos Theory, will be something to look forward too. The various complexities with regards to strategies will definitely extend the horizons of multiplayer joy. The popular Spies vs Mercenaries mode from Pandora Tomorrow returns with new gadgets, cooperative moves, humiliation moves and new multiplayer modes. You can, in coordination with your team mate, do various tricks such as boosting each other, using the other as a ladder or flinging the other across over a barrier and onto the back of an unsuspecting mercenary.

Splinter Cell: Chaos theory with its resplendent graphics, tense plot and thrilling gameplay is something that a lot of fans of the franchise and casual gamers alike will be looking forward to when it releases sometime during this month. Watch this space for a full review soon.

Sameer H. Pitalwalla