System: X360, PS3, PC
Dev: Ubisoft Montreal
Pub: Ubisoft
Release: Nov 2006
Players: 1 - multi
Review by Cole

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Review Rating Legend
1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid
2.0 - 2.4 = Poor
2.5 - 2.9 = Average
3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
3.5 - 3.9 = Good
4.0 - 4.4 = Great
4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
5.0 = The Best

Checkpoints may not be plentiful but they are located at the best areas, just before a big confrontation. If you get killed you don’t have to go through the level all over again. Health is easy enough to replenish by taking cover until such heavy battles but for those that want their experiences a little more “Rainbow Six realistic” there is a more difficult mode called Realistic in which you take on more damage faster and dying lots is a grim reality. Replaying the single-player story mode at this level will give you plenty of replay value, even before you get into the co-op and online modes.

Although this is a fictional depiction of Vegas it’s anything but generic. The battles will take you down the Strip, the world’s brightest street. You’ll enter into casinos where gunfire will erupt among the slot machines. There are grandiose penthouse suites which display an incredible view of the city. But you’ll also get your fair share of underground corridors and secret lairs. There is more of a high-tech look and feel to this game as the enemy is more sophisticated and has plenty of money with which to purchase various state-of-the-art security systems. This is actually the closest that the series has come to Splinter Cell – and that’s a good thing. On the default difficulty it’s a little easier than Splinter Cell for a number of reasons. You have an AI-controlled team that is effective at what they do. They don’t get lost and they don’t stand around waiting to get shot. You can sustain a lot of damage before you die and as varied as your missions are you have limited gadgets to deploy since the prime directive is to kill when necessary. Weapons include shotsguns, assault rifles, sniper rifles, machine guns and a variety of grenades such as flash, bang and smoke.

A two-player co-op mode can be accessed offline but oddly enough there is a four-player online co-op mode that features one more person on your team than in the single-player mode. These are excellent modes, unhampered by any slowdown or latency. The 16-player online mode features variations of the standard Deathmatch and Capture the Flag. You can customize some options such as respawning to get back in the game or no respawning to show that tough love and #*&!-you attitude. For added depth there are RPG elements in which you can acquire new weapons and armor upgrades which you can keep and continue to upgrade as long as you play the game. With various scopes, sights and other features you can customize weapons to suit your playing style. You can even scanning your face and have it placed on your character for the ultimate in customizing options.

The musical score is perfect as it toggles between suspense and full-out action with some military-themed interludes to drive home the importance of your duties. You’ll occasionally hear some ambient music from the casinos which includes pop, rock and cheesy lounge tunes. The voiceacting can get a little ham-fisted which is partly due to the script which is filled with cliché characters and sayings. The weapons are about as realistic sounding as they can get.

If you want a real winner for your Xbox 360 you’re guaranteed to hit the jackpot with Rainbow Six Vegas.

By Cole Smith
CCC Senior Writer

The Rainbow Six franchise is back in the hands of its mommy - Ubisoft Montreal - so let's hope it gets the TLC it's been in need of. by Vaughn Smith

May 8, 2006 - You can't argue with the fact that the Rainbow Six series exploded onto the gaming scene 8 years ago. Developed by Redstorm Entertainment which later became Ubisoft Montreal when it was purchased by the publisher, the series saw its share of expansions and sequels. I was a fan of the series on the PC and later became reacquainted with it on the Xbox. Certainly the series has taken a few blows to the head in recent years, but there's nothing like returning the creation to its creator for a welcome breath of fresh Vegas air.

Speaking of Vegas, the game takes place in Sin City which is being held under a terrorist seige. I've been to Vegas many times and I'm guessing the terrorists probably just lost it standing in line at one of those $1.99 All You Can Eat Buffets. I know I felt like blowing the place up simply because of the old people who WOULDN'T HURRY THE %$#@ UP! No need to tell the cashier your life story, just pay for your mountain of bacon and GO ALREADY! Whatever the reasoning, it will be your job to save the world's must corrupt, evil infested immoral city on the face of the earth from certain destruction...because that would be, um....a bad thing I guess?

In any event, I'm betting the mob craps their pants when they see Ding Chavez and his team crouching outside their casinos. But Ding and Co. better not rest on their laurels as Ubisoft Montreal has dedicated one team member to look entirely after the enemy AI. Other improvements include a third person perspective (ala Perfect Dark Zero) when taking cover and a more intuitive teammate command config. Ubisoft Montreal is also looking to up the emotional ante for players as they are hoping to create a gaming environment where protecting civilians is far more important than shooting the bad guys.

We're looking forward to the next gen Rainbow Six and should have some more info soon.

Press:

Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six makes its next-generation hardware debut in the most dramatic installment of the renowned first-person shooter franchise to date. Rainbow operatives take to the chaotic streets of Las Vegas as an escalating terrorist siege in “Sin City” threatens to take world terrorism to new, uncontrollable heights. The future of global security hangs in the balance as you battle to defend classic Vegas locations and environments like Fremont Street, the Strip and casinos. Experience Las Vegas like never before – through revolutionary next generation technology as you work against the clock to protect one of the world’s most recognizable cities from utter devastation.

Features:

• Ubisoft Montreal Returns – Rainbow Six is back in the hands of Ubisoft’s Montreal studio, creators of the award-winning and highly acclaimed Rainbow Six 3, promising traditional tactical gameplay.
  
• New Leader, New Team – Team Rainbow ushers in a new breed of heroes. With a new team, comes added responsibility. Tactics play a MAJOR role in your team’s success, as each member comes equipped with his own skill set.
  Logan Keller – Team leader and recon expert.
  Michael Walter – Heavy weapons and demolition expert.
  Jung Park – Long range and electronics specialist.
  
• Special Order Location – Experience a new level of squad-based realism as your teammates, Michael and Jung, offer you real-time tactical suggestions like busting through walls or hacking computers, all in a race against time to locate the heart of the terrorist cell.
  
• Observe - Plan - Assault – Use tactical planning to maneuver through multiple-path Vegas environments while utilizing high-tech equipment such as snake cams to strategically “tag” terrorist targets to your teammates, prior to entering a room.
  
• Real-Time Immersion – Prepare yourself for a new level of in-game immersion with real-time mission briefings, all in the midst of the most intense combat ever played.
  
• Advanced Gameplay Animations – Motion-captured assault and recon techniques such as fast roping, rappelling, window entry, blind-cover fire and more. All captured by an experienced Hollywood animation expert.
  
• Next-Generation Artificial Intelligence – Next-generation technology brings a higher level of artificial intelligence to Rainbow Six. As you get past the grunts and advance closer to the center of the terrorist cell, encounter deadlier, more skilled enemies who work together as a group to counter every move you make.
  
• Customizable Multiplayer Experience – Create your own multiplayer character that evolves as you play online, while unlocking new equipment and achievements as you go
  

By Vaughn Smith
CCC Site Director