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.  

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.