The story takes place in 2008, when the world is threatened by information warfare, and you once again take on the role of Sam Fisher, an agent of the Third Echelon organization, and travel to North Korea, where the attacks originate. During a secret and risky operation, you must penetrate deep into enemy territory and obtain important information there or neutralize opponents who pose a risk to national security. To do this, you will be helped by experimental prototypes of unusual weapon systems, a combat knife, and the ability to silently suffocate your victim, as you will fight them at greater proximity than ever before. The mission design will offer different paths to achieve the goal and optional side tasks that will guarantee replayability. At the same time, you will encounter a completely new artificial intelligence of enemies who behave naturally, while NPCs, or non-playable characters, will fear for their lives and remember previous events.