Splinter Cell Chaos Theory: Hands-On

We go hands-on with the latest demonstration build of easily the most exciting Splinter Cell game to date. All-new gameplay video and latest trailer inside.

One of the highlights of Game Stars Live was getting a chance to play a recent demo build of Splinter Cell Chaos Theory on Xbox. According to a Ubisoft representative at the booth, the code was delivered fresh from the company's Montreal studio early last week specifically for the show. The demo on the floor was comprised of just one section of one mission, thus giving only the slightest of glimpses into what we can expect from the final product. Already, though, it's clear that Chaos Theory will provide, in addition to the trademark stealth gameplay, one of the best graphical experiences of this generation.

The demo takes place in a Japanese bathhouse, which provides a good locale for the main graphical attraction: water. Whether it's wet floors that shimmer and accurately reflect light or Sam Fisher's glistening stealth outfit, water is an integral visual component. It doesn't change gameplay though, at least not yet. But it does provide an opportunity to showcase how much is still left to squeeze out of current generation hardware.

Complementing this is the outstanding shadow mapping. Everything in the game world casts an accurate shadow, and the levels are littered with items seemingly placed solely to show off the engine. One part of the demo sees you enter an indoor poolroom under repair. The scaffolding scattered around the room reacts completely realistically with the high-intensity construction lights.

These lights, coincidentally, are about the only items in the demo that Sam can't either interact with or destroy. Almost every other light serves as a pinpoint accurate light source that can be taken out, plunging the level and any enemies into inky blackness. Sam can also slice through hanging plastic sheets to sneak into areas and break glass and mirrors in a satisfying eruption of shards.

Getting to grips with the controls is a cinch for players of previous series instalments. The complete repertoire of moves has not yet been implemented - some of the stealthier are missing - but everything animates silkily. Sam's arsenal is severely limited in the demo, however, providing access to only one automatic assault rifle, a silenced pistol, grenades, and some of the returning gadgets (like the sticky camera). His ambidextrousness does add greatly to the experience, though, easing the task of taking out enemy guards.

Enemy AI is already looking good. Guards don't just blindly follow scripted responses but act in varying manners from situation to situation. Sometimes they'll take an aggressive approach, coming straight for you, while others they'll hang back, drawing you out into the open to get in a better shot. They're acutely aware of your presence and will respond immediately to you, your shadow or even your reflection.

Apart from the outstanding presentation, there's currently little in Splinter Cell Chaos Theory that hasn't been seen in the series already. The game currently feels like a highly polished version of previous iterations, which will be just the thing for most people. The limited demo does not, unfortunately, give enough space to try out the new gameplay innovations touted in Ubisoft's PR material, like the cooperative multiplayer, but with the release date inching ever closer, we can expect to see much along those lines soon.

Splinter Cell Chaos Theory will be released for Xbox and PC in the fourth quarter and early 2005 for other platforms.

Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo Games