The Splinter Cell series debut was spectacular. The first title was exceptional for the timeframe it was launched and so, success was imminent. Time passed and the second title showed up. I personally had negatively criticized it, but that's all history now. Let's talk about the present. I was skeptical concerning this third installment, because I've never liked sequels too much. Fortunately, I was happy to discover a new game, a game that only coincidentally resembles the first two. It is clear to me now that Ubisoft took their time to rethink the game and implement some new ideas. Most of you probably think that Splinter Cell Chaos Theory is just Pandora Tomorrow with the latest eye-candy. I can assure you that it’s not the case. It all depends on how you look at it. Sam Fisher does what he does best, so from this point of view, you'll get the same type of gameplay, with the same features you've already encountered in the previous titles, but this doesn't mean that you won't experience the new ideas and possibilities the producers have thrown in.

     This time, the official conflict takes place in Asia and includes the Japanese, the Chinese and the Koreans. It seems though as a hidden mastermind is orchestrating the events from the shadows, so it's up to Sam Fisher to uncover this conspiracy and probably stop the Third World War. You'll find out all these by watching the cinematic sequences between the missions and by carefully following the dialogue between Fisher and the other NSA agents. The main objectives of any mission remain pretty much the same. You have to steal something, annihilate someone or even find out some useful information or gather evidence. What's interesting is that your objectives may change as the real field situation can change no matter what you do. For example, the person you have to kidnap is killed and there's nothing you can do to prevent it. Besides your main objectives, you're given secondary ones, but these don't influence the events, just the statistics.
     Each mission takes place in a certain location like Peru, Japan or North Korea. What you'll notice right from the start is that the level design is totally changed. In the beginning of each mission, you have three options regarding the arsenal you'll carry with you: Redding’s Recommendation, Stealth and Assault. It's best if you choose the recommended one, but in case one of the other two suits your gaming style better, go for it. I’m telling you this because you can now plan your strategy and accomplish the missions as you like it. If you fancy a stealth gameplay, go with stealth, if you want fast-paced action go with assault and if you favor a balanced gameplay, go with the recommended arsenal. There's always a possibility to sneak behind someone. If you don't see it, it doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Sometimes I would discover the opportunity of going stealth when it was too late as those guys were already cold.