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

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

So what exactly is Tom Clancy’s uber-elite anti-terrorist squad doing in Vegas? Answer: They’re making a killing.

Please note: The PS2 and Xbox versions of Vegas have been cancelled. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas can not be seen three times daily at the Rio – although you can never tell these days what they might turn into a musical. But fear not, you don’t have to worry about being turned in a sissy boy, this game is loaded with all kinds of macho action – and no chorus lines. This is one performance where you will literally “murder ‘em.” All under the guise of national security of course.

Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas screenshot

Rainbow Six hasn’t gone James Bond on us with the Vegas location. There are no actual licensed casinos featured in this game so it’s just kind of a fantasy world. The Vegas portrayed in this game is really nothing more than a backdrop, albeit a glittery one. It’s just a nice change from rubble-strewn Afghanistan towns. Don’t worry, you don’t have to play blackjack or poker to win money to purchase new weapons or abilities. This is a class act all the way, and undoubtedly one of the best shooters on the Xbox 360. When you add up all of the modes including the various co-ops and the massive online multi-player mode that can accommodate 16 players, you’ve got a game that is worth every penny of the purchase price.

Rainbow Six Vegas is absolutely jam-packed with gameplay variety. There are many different real-time tactics and commands to implement. Expect lots of shooting with the use of other weapons such as grenades. Gadgets come in handy for situations which require recon and stealth. You will drop from choppers, repel down walls, use zip lines and employ obstacles in the environments to take cover behind. While hiding behind various surfaces such as concrete, wood and metal, you can also shoot your weapon from around them so as to minimize damage to your character. There are no health potions or med kits but if you do take some damage all you have to do is take cover for a short period and you will begin to regain your health. There are two other members of your elite squad who can be revived by an injection if you can get to them in time after they’ve been hit.

Your teammates are AI controlled. As Logan, you are the team leader. For the most part your teammates will be able to take care of themselves and you as well. Issuing commands is straightforward thanks to a context-sensitive menu system that gives you only the most obvious of choices. You’re not there to get tickets to Cirque de Solei, you are fighting terrorists that have taken their war from Mexico to Sin City where they threaten to unleash a deadly force that will kill millions. If anyone gets in your way, kill them.

Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas screenshot

When coming up to a room that you suspect is filled with bad guys it’s in your best interest to do some recon to find out how many there are inside, where they are located and what kinds of weapons they have. You can do this by hanging upside down outside of the building and peering into the window or you can place the flexible camera under the door. You can command your team to hold their position, follow you or to storm the room and take down the enemy. Different methods can be employed for virtually every situation. Often there are multiple exits and entrances that you can use, but it’s your head that you want to use first and foremost to think your strategy through before you launch into action.

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