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Features:::…
This
game will be released on the PC, Gamecube, Playstation 2
and the Xbox.
It’s
set to be released this coming March.
Engine
The
game is the same as previous Spintercell games in that it
uses the the Unreal engine though it has been tweaked to
support the latest in hardware. You
can find support for Shader model 1.1 and 3.0, strangely
enough no support for Shader model 2.0.
Shader
model 1.1 offers nice and simple per pixel shading, while
Shader model 3.0 reveals support for HDR rendering with
or without tone mapping, parallax mapping (virtual displacement
mapping) and high quality soft shadows.
Also
the shadow mapping can be supported through hardware.
The
havoc engine is also incorporated to support gravitational
effect in the game.
Sound
Almost
all unreal based games have support for Dolby or EAX and
this game is no exception.
The
game will detect which support you have and enable it where
possible.
In
the options menu there aren’t much choices, except from
changing the volume.
I
didn’t see any option to enable or disable EAX or Dolby
manually; maybe this will change in the final release.
Multiplayer
The
demo shows an interesting multiplayer option, available
in the full game when it’s released; the versus mode.
From
the looks of it, it seems to be much like Counterstrike,
with spies on one side and the mercenaries on the other.
Sadly
this demo only covered the single player portion of the
game and showed a video of the multiplayer option.
This
prospect is very exciting though.
Gameplay
The
demo only features one level, but it’s very nice to play.
Looking
at the inventory menu, it’s been tweaked and ia a lot sleeker
than previous releases.
The
controls are the same as previous Splintercell games, so
those of you who have played the game before will know how
to use the controls.
Once
again you can choose by yourself which approach will best
get you the set mission goals. Either
use stealth or brute force to get past your enemies; though
brute force will not be easy on you as you do not have many
bullets or weapons to your disposal.
You
have to be careful and plan your way through enemy camps
and that basically comes down to stealth and more than a
touch of strategy.
++
This
demo nicely shows off some new features and new graphical
upgrade. The
environment looks amazing with high textures and a lot of
shadows.
It’s
almost too bad you have to use the infra red or thermal
goggles to spot your enemies., but
it does help to set the atmosphere and give you that chill
as you hide in the dark, waiting for just that one guard
to turn away.
Playing
a more prominent role this time around is the knife. You
can cut open a side of a tent to gain entry.
Also
grabbing an enemy, to interrogate or knock out, will show
the blade across their neck to help supply the necessary
"persuasion" they might need to play ball.
The
mobile generators that supply power to the lights; can now
be sabotaged with the knife, letting the fuel leak away
through a punctured tank.
Of
course you can also switch off the generator or shoot it
with your gun; the choice is yours, it all depends on how
quiet or hidden you want to remain.
This
brings to light the scope on your head, which now has an
extra mode next to night and heat vision mode known as sniper
mode.
It
will allow you to zoom in on enemies and take them out if
necessary, if that doesn’t cause too many problems of its
own course.
One
thing I did notice is that if you turn on tone mapping with
HDR rendering, the performance drops, that’s logical, but
it didn’t work that well. It
makes the characters look like they have been drawn up using
cel shading or they look like psychedelic creatures with
certain artifacts.
Perhaps
that could be solved in future drivers or in the final game.
An
explanation of HDR or tone mapping, please look at the glossary
at the end of this preview.
From
what I can see so far, the game looks very promising.
Usually
a sequel to a game should have new features and improved
graphics, and Splintercell: Chaos theory promises just that.
It
still has the same charm as the first part in the series,
while still finding new features and new moves to add and
keep the game fresh and exciting.
The
excitement and thrill that you get when playing this demo
certainly leaves you wanting for more, but I guess we have
to wait until it arrives in the stores near you.
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