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SPLINTER CELL HAS BEEN one of the better stealth-action franchises on consoles recently, both for solo and multiplayer gaming, so a shift to a handheld Nintendo DS version comes as a welcome one. Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory is soon to be released, providing a number of stealthy missions to play both alone and with friends.

Players take the role of Sam Fisher, the most elite black-ops agent of the National Security Agency (NSA). To accomplish the missions, Sam will need to kill from close range, attack with the combat knife, shoot with the prototype Land Warrior rifle, and use radical suppression techniques such as the inverted neck-break. The unique abilities of the Nintendo DS should offer Ubisoft ample opportunity to make Chaos Theory stand out. The touch screen should offer the greatest scope for this, enabling players to:

• Detect Traps and Guards: by keeping an eye on the radar where he can detect dangers surrounding him

• Manoeuvre the Camera: this feature will enable Sam to have a 360 degree vision of the environment and discover hidden paths but also aim at enemies and targets when he is equipped with a sidearm

• Manage the Inventory: the touch screen will also display the inventory to be managed by a simple touch

• Access a Sub Menu: this includes a brief of the objectives, the summary of the notes collected by Sam, all the emails sent by Sam's contacts and the configuration options

• Choose a Vision Modes: will allow the player to toggle between the different vision modes

• Interact in Mini Games: such as lock picking and hacking.

The Nintendo DS's wireless capabilities will also be put to good use with the addtion of both cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes.

The cooperative mode lets you play with a partner in exclusive missions. Both Shadownet spies will have to work together to succeed. Each player can choose between 2 Shadownet expertises, either Assault or Hacker. Shadownet Assault experts are equipped with firearm weapons and can kill enemies. They can also hack electric panels to unlock doors or disable electronic devices. Meanwhile the Shadownet Hacker is equipped with the Sticky Shocker and some types of grenades. They are able to disable electronic devices (camera, lasers, etc.) by shooting at them with an electric shot and can also hack computers to disable security systems or unlock doors.

The Versus mode puts players in a war of Shodownet spies against Argus mercenaries. While spies try to hack computer devices to steal important information, mercenaries must patrol and guard these stations. Spies only have to hack a certain number of computers to succeed the mission. Mercenaries will win if the spies cannot hack the specified number of computers before the time limit is reached.

Key Features

• Three different gameplay modes:

1. Single player mode includes a tutorial to get started and an 8 level campaign.
2. Cooperative mode for 2 players with 5 levels to explore. Each player can choose between 2 Shadownet expertises: Assault or Hacker.
3. Versus mode for 2 to 4 players with 7 maps to battle it out on.

• Character's impressive new moves and stealth skills, cutting-edge weaponry: from the basic moves to advanced moves (swat turn, bash door), the player will have complete skills to progress in the shadows.
• Touch screen: offers a diversified gameplay, from managing the inventory to choosing between 3 vision modes and manoeuvring the camera to interact in mini games (hacking and lock picking).