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Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 Review for Xbox 360 (X360)

Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 Review for Xbox 360 (X360)

Flash, boom, bang!

Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas 2; the name is nearly the same and so is the game. However, a few tweaks and additions here and there have slightly improved this tactical shooter. The intriguing level design, solid presentation, and killer online play have Rainbow Six Vegas 2 coming up sevens!

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 screenshot

Veterans of the series will be thrilled to know that well enough has been left alone. The same great gameplay we have come to love is fully intact. On the other hand, don’t expect a whole lot of innovation. In fact, Vegas 2 almost feels like a lengthy expansion to the original rather than a full fledged sequel. I’m sure that comment will have the accomplished folks at Ubisoft Montreal a bit miffed, but as a critic of the series I would be remiss if I didn’t point it out. However, as a fan I’m ecstatic with the feel of the game and the final result. It’s everything you’d expect from a Rainbow Six title. New additions to the game include such mundane things as new weapons, armor, and a sprint function in addition to more significant extras such as a unified campaign and online player-created identity, expanded online modes of play, seamless single-player to co-op campaigns, and an even richer advancement system.

The ability to create your own face via LIVE Vision or the PlayStation Eye and then rack up experience and upgrades that go with you in both single and multiplayer modes, is fantastic. There are eleven all-new, concentrated multiplayer maps and two new adversarial modes called Total Conquest and Team Leader. These new multiplayer modes really help to set Vegas 2 apart tactically from other multiplayer shooters, and the improved co-op mode allows players to join in with friends and online buddies mid-campaign. Being able to jump in and out of the co-op story is a great feature. Finally, the tiered advancement system is genius and feels very rewarding. Not only will you be rewarded with XP for your proficiency both off and online, but you will also be rewarded with A.C.E.S (Advanced Combat Enhancement Specialization) points for specific actions including long range kills, close combat, and getting around an enemy’s cover. Your XP and A.C.E.S. points will accumulate and you will be rewarded with weaponry, clothing, gadgets, and equipment to help further customize your character.

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 screenshot

As one would expect, the campaign is completely new though the story is yawningly standard. But who really cares right? What makes Vegas 2 so good is the engrossing level design. For those unfamiliar with the series, the linear feel of standard shooter campaigns is broken up in the Rainbow Six series by rooms with multiple entry points and cramped, obstacle-laden facilities that make you cover your six, constantly find protected areas, and methodically purge the complexes plagued by the terrorist threat. Tagging tangos with your snake cam before chucking in a flash bang is a must if you expect to survive in the “Realistic” difficulty level. The only problem with this methodical approach is that eventually it gets to feel routine rather than interesting. That being said, the attention to detail and uncanny realism poured into every level makes Vegas 2 feel more like an armed forces-developed tactical training simulator rather than a $60 toy for your living room.

The visuals are good if not quite as crisp as they could be. Fortunately, the frame rate is smooth and allows for truly engaging, glitch-free fun. As I previously mentioned, the environments are very realistic and help to bring the tactical shooter to life. I also really enjoyed the detailed equipment, clothing, accessories, and weapon choices. They are incredibly accurate and lifelike, and are a joy to unlock and wear as a badge of courage and skill in multiplayer frag-fests. Aurally, the game packs a wallop. The world of Vegas 2 sounds amazingly authentic, and the voiceover work really makes you feel like you’re part of a clandestine special forces unit. Details such as the chatter over the comms devices, the sickly gurgling of mortally wounded foes, and the unique report of the various weapons are great. I did have to turn down the sound effects and music however, in order to be able to hear the interactions between the intel sources and my squad.

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 screenshot

The game’s control scheme is perfect, really. Players can easily shoot their way through the corridors, crash through plate glass windows, and pop out from behind cover to snipe distant enemies. Taking your team through all the mayhem is another story. Dragging your A.I. teammates around the levels can be cumbersome until you come up to some doors.

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 screenshot

The actual mechanic for giving orders to your team couldn’t be simpler, but in the heat of battle it is very easy to forget it’s not just a one man show. Furthermore, sometimes the use of cover gets a bit janky during multiplayer battles. Often you’ll find your character looking over the wrong shoulder, and you’ll be unable to recover before bullets have already riddled your corpse. That’s really all just nitpicky stuff though. The controls, on the whole, are fantastic.

The initiated are absolutely going to love this title. It literally has everything you love about the original Vegas with a few added features, gameplay modes, and content for you to romp your way through. If you are expecting a totally revamped system chocked full of innovative content, then you’ll be disappointed.

Rainbow Six Vegas and Vegas 2 play like they are volumes in one complete set rather than completely distinct games. Newcomers to the series should definitely pick up the first edition on the cheap, hone their skills, and then grab the second part if they are still craving more. That being said, the new multiplayer modes and gameplay are phenomenal and the subtle refinements to the title do make Rainbow Six Vegas 2 superior to its predecessor. If you loved the first, don’t hesitate to pick up the second. Conversely, if you weren’t thrilled by Vegas know that Vegas 2 is better though it is basically the same game. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve still got a number of gadgets, side arms, shotguns, and assault rifles to unlock…

RATING OUT OF 5 RATING DESCRIPTION 4.4 Graphics
The frame rate is very smooth and the environments are very realistic. The detailed equipment, clothing, accessories, and weapon choices are incredibly accurate. 4.2 Control
All actions and commands are executed with ease. Sometimes the use of cover gets a bit janky during multiplayer battles, and dragging you’re A.I. teammates around the levels can be cumbersome until you come up to some doors. 4.5 Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
The weapons sound amazingly lifelike. The voiceover work really makes you feel like you’re part of a clandestine special forces unit. 4.3 Play Value
It’s everything you’d expect from a Rainbow Six title. My only gripes are that the squad-based techniques can feel routine over the course of the campaign, and there isn’t much innovation over its predecessor. 4.4 Overall Rating – Great
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

  • Ubisoft Montreal Returns – Rainbow Six Vegas 2 is back in the hands of Ubisoft’s Montreal studio, creators of the award-winning and highly acclaimed Rainbow Six Vegas, to ensure that ending to the Vegas story is one you’ll never forget.
  • More Vegas – Sin City is back and bigger than before. Explore all new Vegas hot spots as the environment changes from dusk to bright daylight to dawn, creating a visual experience that is as challenging as it is breathtaking.
  • More Multiplayer – The highly acclaimed multiplayer mode in Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas has been upgraded to include 11 new, smaller maps that force more intense face-offs, 2 new adversarial modes, more rewards, and easier access to matches using the improved and intuitive matchmaking system.
  • Unprecedented Customizable Experience – Create your own identity that stays the same in both single player and multiplayer modes and progresses as you do. Reap the benefits of your single player rewards in multiplayer and vice versa.
  • Vastly Improved Co-op mode – Turn single player mode into co-op mode at any time, just by jumping into the game. Now your friend can jump into your single player game and help you without any change to the story. Single player maps and storyline were created with co-op in mind, which means every map has multiple entry points and the story is the same.
  • Improved AI – AI is more challenging than ever. Now the terrorists are equipped with thermal vision, night vision, and shields – not to mention a multitude of varying reactions – all of which are guaranteed to give you a new playing experience every time you go into battle. As you progress within the game, you’ll only be able to outsmart your enemies by taking advantage of intel opportunities, such as thermal scanning, and tactical strategies, such as leapfrogging.
  • New Weapons and Armor – Take down the terrorists more effectively using 11 new weapons. New camouflage, clothing and gear allow you to take customization to the next level.

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