Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory Table of Contents

Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory Guide
Intro and Gameplay Tips

Introduction

Welcome to Lunabean's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory Walkthrough and Strategy Guide. This guide is written for the PS2, Xbox, and Gamecube versions of the game. It will also help those playing the PC version of Chaos Theory, with the exception of a few control techniques noted in the introduction. It will take you through the single-player campaign.

The guide was written based on playing through the game on "Normal" difficulty. However, the goal of the guide is to get you through the game in the stealthiest manner possible, in order to earn a 100% rating on each level. That means that you rarely fire any bullets and you don't kill anyone. Obviously, you can get through the game by shooting and using your 5th Freedom (kill anybody you want). This is fun and the guide will help you if that's how you want to play, but the real skill comes into play when you try not be seen, don't have any guards' bodies found, don't set off any alarms, and generally get in and out without anybody knowing you were there. That's what this guide will teach you how to do. Because of this, the guide should greatly help anyone trying to get through the game on "Hard" and "Extreme" levels.

Differences between the levels have more to do with guard sensitivities than anything else. Guards in the "Extreme" difficulty seem to be sporting the "Whisper 2000", as the slightest movement can be heard by them. Also, guards are much harder to kill in higher difficulties, while a single shot can often take you down. For these reasons, it's best to play through on "Normal" or, at least, "Hard", before even attempting the "Extreme" difficulty level.

Gameplay Tips and FAQs

Back to Wall

You can place your back flat against a wall by pressing your "Zoom Button" (for Xbox, click down on left thumbstick). While you have your back pressed against a wall you can move left or right along the wall.

Dealing with Pipes

Constantly keep a lookout for pipes, both vertical and horizontal, that you can climb. While on a horizontal pipe you can pull your legs up to be more stealthy, you can hang down from your legs and grab enemies below (which does not count as a kill if you take the "Grab Character" option), you can drop down onto enemies, and you can pull out your gun and fire while hanging.

Switch Shoulder

New to Chaos Theory is the ability to switch which shoulder over which you are looking. This is helpful to get just the right aim at any time and is also fun as a change of pace. It will probably make some lefties feel more comfortable, too. To switch shoulders, click the "Zoom" button (for Xbox, click down on left thumbstick) when you have a weapon equipped (when you are in "Aim" mode).

Interaction Menu

In the upper right of your screen you'll see your Interaction System (menu). When you approach something that you can interact with, one or more options will become available to you. You can scroll through your interact options by holding down the "Interact Button" and using your control stick or D-Pad to scroll. This way you can choose, "Open door stealth," as opposed to "Open door". Speaking of things you can do from the interact menu...

Opening Doors

When you approach doors you'll have several options. You can look under the door with your Optic Cable to see if any enemies are nearby, you can open door, you can close door behind you, and you can Open Door Stealth. If you choose this option you can slowly open the door using your control stick. Another option that is new to Chaos Theory is "Bash Door". If you choose this option you will kick the door open meaning if anybody is on the other side of the door, he'll be knocked out. Keep in mind, though, that guards can do this to you, too.

Lock Picking

Another Interact item is Lock Picking. Picking locks is fairly easy. Simply move your control stick until you feel the controller vibrate. Keep it in that position until you hear a click and you see the pin move up. Usually locks have 3-5 pins that you need to pick depending on how secure the lock is. There is only one time, later in the game, where you have to pick hand cuffs. Here, you must rely completely on feel, as there is no visual to aid you.

Break Lock

Also new to Chaos Theory is Break Lock. Instead of wasting time picking locks you can simply break locks with your knife. This is fine to do in most cases but will get you caught if somebody hears you do it as it is louder than picking locks.

Use Computer

Another interact item is "Use Computer". This works for many desktops, laptops, and servers in the game. Often, objectives are found on computers. Sometimes a computer will have security access where you'll need to hack it.

Hacking Computers

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A very fun addition to Chaos Theory is computer Hacking. If you get the option to hack something, or if you can highlight "Secure Access" from a computer, then it's time for you to Hack. At first, this seems confusing, but is truly quite simple.

When you enter the Hacking Screen you'll see five numbers on the right (four look like an IP address, one has a lock over it). The four numbers will light up as the hacking tool does its thing and runs through the available numbers from the left. Ignore the list to the left, and remain focused on the four numbers to the right. "Lock In" any number that gets highlighted by quickly using your control stick to move the cursor to the highlighted number, then use the designated button ("X" on the Xbox) to actually lock it in. You'll see that when you lock in a number, it eliminates certain number combinations on the left. This is automatic. Keep locking in numbers and eventually, you'll discover the proper number on the left, as it will be the only one left highlighted. At this point, choose the number on the left using the designated "Accept" button ("A" on the Xbox).

This sounds more complicated than it is. Another way to think of it is to move your control stick left and right to lock in the highlighted numbers on the right, thus eliminating the wrong number combos on the left. When you think you have it, you can move your control stick up and down to select the proper number on the left.

Keep in mind that you have a limited amount of time to hack. Note the timing bar above the right side numbers. If it gets down too far, simply abort the hack and try again by hitting the designated button to back out. Also, that fifth number on the right side, with the lock over it, has a purpose. It represents the number of "lock in" attempts you have. Usually this is not a problem, but as the game progresses you may only be able to lock in one, two, or three numbers, thus leaving you to figure out the rest. If this is the case, simply watch the numbers get tried and note when one is correct. Remember it, and you can figure out which number from the left to choose. You will rarely have to do this, and by the time you do need to, you will be a pro at hacking and will have already figured out how to choose the proper number, even if you don't have all the numbers on the right locked in.

Hacking is useful if you don't have the keycode to a door, don't have a guard to use on a retinal scanner, or to discover secret information on computers (many Bonus Objectives rely on this). Also, there are times when you can remotely scan a computer using your EEV, although it is more difficult to hack remotely.

EEV (Electronically Enhanced Vision)

The EEV should be looked at as advanced binoculars. You always have this tool at your disposal and can pull it out at anytime using the Camera Control Button (for the Xbox, click down on right thumb stick). While looking through the EEV you'll see certain items/objects that are scannable. These usually include computers, cameras, etc. The EEV will tell you if you can zap the item/object with your Pistol's OCP (Optically Channeled Potentiator). The EEV also serves as your Laser Mic. You can Zoom In with your EEV by pressing the "Zoom Button" (for the Xbox, click down on left thumbstick). This is useful for the few times that you are required to record conversations. In addition to those items, the EEV will also tell you if you can Hack Remotely, if an object is an explosive danger, or if you can remotely access a computer/object. Please note that sometimes you can scan the computer monitor with no luck but if you aim at the actual computer (the computer case) you will get access.

OCP (Optically Channeled Potentiator)

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Your Pistol now has a neat and functional feature called the OCP. You use this with your "Secondary Fire Button" when your Pistol is equipped. The OCP is used to jam items/objects such as cameras, lights, and generators. It only works for a limited amount of time. You can tell if something is OCP-able by using your EEV. Your EEV will scan most electronic items. If you can use your OCP on the item, you will get an "OCP affected" icon when then scan is complete. If you use your OCP and miss the target, a red light will appear on your Pistol. If you are successful with your OCP usage, the light will glow green. The OCP also works on Chromatic Windows which you'll discover in the Displace level. If you aim at the window the OCP will toggle the window to be transparent or opaque.

Mantling, Climbing Ledges

If you are having trouble climbing up ledges, make sure you are pressing forward on the control stick and pressing your "Jump" button when attempting to climb.

Lethal vs. Non-Lethal

You can go through this entire game without killing anybody (well, you may have to kill one or two people, but I won't ruin anything). If you're going for 100% completion scores you don't want to kill anybody. There are several ways you can take out guards without killing them.

If you are sneaking up behind guards and grabbing them, you can either knock them out (sleeper hold) using your "Secondary Fire Button" or you can kill them using the "Primary Fire Button". Your SC-20K is also quite useful for non-lethal kills. You have at your disposal Sticky Shockers, Airfoil Rounds, Gas Grenades, and Sticky Cameras, all of which will take out out guards without hurting them.

Throughout this guide I rarely recommend you fire any bullets or kill any guards, although you are definitely free to do so if you want, you just won't get your 100% rating.

100% Rating

To get a 100% rating you have to make sure to complete all objectives (including any available Bonus Objectives), you cannot kill anybody, you have to hide bodies in places where they won't be found, you cannot be identified as an intruder, nor can you set off any alarms. This guide was written to get you a 100% rating on each level.

Hiding Bodies

Although I don't tell you specifically to hide each and every body you take out in the game, as a general rule, be sure to hide any bodies in dark areas or out of the main path of any potential guards.

Grabbing Enemies

Most of this guide is based upon sneaking up behind enemies and grabbing them silently. To do so you need to crouch and slowly move in behind an enemy. When you are close enough you'll get a "Grab Character" option in your Interact Menu. At this point, press your "Interact Button" to grab him. To make things easier, as your nearing an enemy from behind, just start tapping the "Interact Button". That way, as soon as the option becomes available, you'll grab the enemy.

Interrogation

After you grab an enemy you will often have the option to "Interrogate" them. You can learn valuable information such as enemy placement, door codes, or even bonus objective information by doing this. Be sure to interrogate the guard by continuing to press "Fwd. Communication" until you get the "Interrogate" option again. This means you have received all available information from him. Also, be aware that if the interrogation yielded any truly valuable information, your "Note" or "Goals" icons will be flashing. After interrogating enemies, knock them out then hide their bodies.

Picking Up Objects

Throughout the game there are many items that you can pick up and throw to distract guards. Usually it is an empty soda can or some such piece of trash. If you do pick up an item, you can simply drop it again by pressing your "Primary Fire Button". If you want to actually throw the item, treat it as a weapon you want to fire. Simply "Aim" and "Fire" to throw it.

Shooting Lights

There are certain times when you do not want to use your OCP to disable lights temporarily, as you might want them out for good, which means shooting them out. Anytime that I tell you to shoot out a light in this walkthrough I want you to do it with your Pistol, not your SC-20K. The Pistol is silent (mostly) and will not draw attention. However, missing the light, even with your Pistol, can draw unwanted attention. So aim carefully to remain unnoticed.

Saving

As opposed to earlier Splinter Cells, in Chaos Theory you can save at any time by simply going into your "Start" menu and selecting "Save". There is also a "Quick Save" feature which simply saves over the same save slot over and over and over again, allowing you to get back to your game faster.

Load Outs

Load outs refer to the package of weapons you start out with on any particular mission. You have an Assault package, a Stealth package, and Redding's Recommendations. For the purpose of this guide I always chose Redding's Recommendations, which provides a nice balance of lethal and non-lethal ammo. If you are truly going for 100% Stealth, it's best to choose the Stealth package, as you will get more Sticky Shockers and Airfoil Rings (a splinter cell's best friend). We went with Redding's Recommendations for more of a challenge.

Timing

For the purpose of following this guide, move through the game at a steady pace. Doing so will, most likely, ensure that guards are in the positions that are specifically referred to in the guide. If you go too slow or too fast you may find different patterns to the guards. This isn't a problem as, more often than not, the guards will return to their normal paths. However, keep in mind that my timing may be different from your timing. Don't let this frustrate you. Simply read the entire section on which you are stuck, and you will soon observe guard patterns that are noted in the guide. It should also be noted that guards who hear movement or shots can change their pattern of movement completely.

Wall Mines

To disable Wall Mines, crouch and slowly move toward a Wall Mine until you get the "Disable Wall Mine" option. Press it and you'll disable and grab the Wall Mine. In previous Splinter Cells you had to make sure to hit "Disable Wall Mine" while the mine was glowing green. If you did it while it was glowing red, you would blow up. This isn't the case for "Normal" difficulty in Chaos Theory. However, if you're blowing up while playing a harder difficulty, you now know why

Switching your SC-20K Attachment

Your SC-20K has four different attachment options, although there are usually only two available per level. The Launcher Attachment is always available and is always equipped by default. This is the attachment which allows you to launch various stealthy devices, including the Sticky Shocker (easily knocks out any guard in one shot), the Airfoil Ring (also knocks out guards, but requires more precision), the Gas Grenade (gasses those not wearing masks), and the Sticky Camera (used primarily to view and gas guards). Launch these devices by using your "Fire Secondary" button (pull the left trigger).

You can change your attachment by equipping your SC-20K, then hitting the "Quick Inventory Button". Sam will unscrew the current attachment and then screw in the other attachment. Other attachments include the Fore-Grip (which steadies your aim), the Shotgun and the Sniper. These are also utilized by pressing the "Fire Secondary" button.

Controls

For controls specific to your gaming platform, go to your Start Menu and select "Options", then "Controls". To play with your invert options, hit "Select" while viewing your Controls, and go from there. Because this guide was written for all consoles, it refers to button actions rather than specific button names.

Updates

If I failed to cover something above please visit the LB "Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory" Update Page to see if it has been added. If you find something that you think should be added please email Lunabean using the Contact Form.


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