Introducing The Basics to Tom Clancey's Splinter Cell Chaos Theory
Splinter Cell Chaos Theory is the third installment in Tom Clancey's Splinter Cell series of games, and is available on PC as well as all major consoles. The hints and tips you will learn in this guide are simply the basics of getting through the single player campaign easily, and are based on my experiences with the game on the Xbox. For this guide we will focus only on the single player mode and will be spoiler-free. While the tips I describe here are geared more towards the Xbox version of the game, they can be applied to just about any version and still work quite well, as they are, in affect, the vital elements to success in your missions.
It is important to note that there are some significant changes in this latest installment of Splinter Cell; in addition to a few new moves, and the coop portion of the game on the Xbox and PC, the game itself is more forgiving than its previously released versions Splinter Cell and Splinter Cell Pandora Tomorrow. Specifically, the 'Mission Failed' message will appear less often, as you now have more of a grace period during the missions to be seen, and still continue. (Without throwing a controller across the room.)
The Most Important Aspect of the Game - Stealth!
If there is one thing, and one thing only that you gain by reading this, it should be the fact that Splinter Cell Chaos Theory is a stealth shooter, so laying low, sneaking around, and breaking necks unnoticed will play a key role in your success. As I have mentioned, this version is a bit more forgiving, but if you try to go in like Rambo guns blazing, you'll be flat on your back before you see the fifth enemy. So be sure to use caution, deliberate yet careful movements, and if you decide to use a weapon, be as accurate as possible.
Some Finer Points About Stealth - and Detection
Several factors come into play when navigating Sam Fisher around the missions, and each and every one of them will be a determining factor of the enemies detecting you in their areas. Here are some of the most important ones to keep in mind:
- Light - but not just Light Bulbs and Streetlights
The affect of light on Sam is the most obvious indicator of how well he can be seen by others. Fortunately for you and me, his suit has a sensor on it which lets you know the current light level on his body, and is displayed by an indicator on the bottom right of the screen (this is very useful when on night-vision, or heat-vision). Taking out lights with a silenced weapon will alert the guards that something is up, but they'll normally just consider it a blown bulb. One thing to keep in mind even while in a dark and seemingly safe location, is the careful use of your weapons, as the guards will see and detect the flash of your rifle firing, which brings us right to the next most important aspect to stealth.
- Sound - Opening Doors, Walking, and Landing Quietly is Important
Its not hard to understand that if you fire a weapon the guards and nearby enemies will hear you, but the game is much more sensitive to sound than ever before. Guards will hear you if you quickly open a door, shoot a light out, walk too quickly, or drop off a ledge without using what is known as a soft landing. For this reason, you must be extra careful with the sounds you make.
On the Xbox version of the game online, the voice communications between teammates even becomes a factor, talk too loud, and the guards will hear you. Opening doors slowly, via the 'open stealthy' mode will minimize the chances of being heard, as will walking slowly, and deactivating lights without shooting them. Sound can also work in your favor, tossing a bottle or can in the opposite direction creates a perfect diversion for you to either sneak by, or creep up on a guard who has gone to investigate the noise.
- Environmental Factors - Something to Keep In Mind
I have almost covered the basics of the environment above, referring to the streetlights, doors, etc.; but to truly use it to your advantage and go unnoticed there are a couple of things you can do. First off, use stealth mode to open any doors, after you have looked under it with the optical camera, and then close the door behind you. Just like a guard will notice a broken light bulb, they will also notice a door that you have left open. The same goes for light switches and computers, try to leave every area is it was when you entered it, to avoid detection.