I finished Chaos Theory a few days ago. Overall I'd say it was a highly polished version of the Splinter Cell formula, that played it safe, but well. I really enjoyed it despite it being typically linear. It was surprisingly goofy too!
The game has you battling a lot of North Korean soldiers and they are made to sound like 12 year old menstruating girls. The voice acting is really bad, in a deliberate and funny way. Some of the North Koreans will shout stuff like,"MOMMMYYYYYYYY"... "You are FRIGHTENING MEEEEEE.".... Yes these are trained soldiers.
One of the funniest things I've seen in a game is in Splinter Cell 2: Pandora Tomorrow. The whole game was serious like the original, without a hint of humor. In one scene I was at the Chinese embassy when the alarm was raised and a cut scene followed showing two soldiers running across a hall. It all seemed like typically serious Splinter Cell stuff, when out of the blue for no reason one of the soldiers just tripped, fell on his face, and then instantly got back up and started running. It was so simple, yet in the middle of a very moody game it was hilarious.
Back to Chaos Theory; I'd say it was the best of the first three, but I found myself more excited by the first. I think the only fault with Chaos Theory was that it played it too safe. The visuals though, were stellar even by today's standards. Great game. If I had to rate it, I'd rate this 92%, especially with the multiplayer being so amazing. The first I'd give 94% because it felt very new and different, while the second I'd give 85%.
I had one minor complaint though. I think the game should have ended at the second last level after you kill your friend. That was awesome, and it would have been the perfect ending. The final mission felt a bit anti climatic.
I leave you all with one final screenie. The following is part of the most badass gaming moment known to man... now I miss playing Chaos Theory: