Rainbow Six Vegas

Section: 

Have you ever hugged the walls of your hallway and snuck around your house when no one was looking? Have you ever kicked open the door to your shed to feel the thrill of storming a room? Have you ever been busted by your wife after leaning out of a doorway and shooting her in the butt with a rubber band? For many of us the answer to these questions is yes, and now there is finally a next generation alternative to playing kitchen commando.

IMAGE(http://www.gamerswithjobs.com/files/images/R6Vlogo.jpg)


Console? – Xbox 360
Time played? - 12+ hours.
Completed? - Single Player on Normal, various Terrorist Hunts
Experience in Franchise? – Rainbow Six, R6 Rogue Spear, R6 3
Tango? – Down

Rainbow Six Vegas is the first game in the franchise to feel like a direct sequal to Rainbow Six 3 for the original Xbox. You can see your gun in front of you, you only can control one member of your team, and the voice activated commands still work through your Live headset. The menu system, weapon options, and at least compentent A.I. are all also very close to R6 3. The only differences separating the two games are changes for the better.

For those that played this franchise on the Xbox you will probably remember that while the game told you that you were in different locals around the world, it always felt like you and your team were assaulting "Box Town" or "Box City" or "The Republic of Boxes." Ubisoft would throw in a little something here and there to try to convince you that you were where they said you were, but they always came off a little hammy. Like the terrorists in Cuba that wore Hawaiian shirts.

In Rainbow Six Vegas this is not the case. While the graphics probably won't have your jaw dragging the ground like some other recent Xbox 360 shooters, the overall quality and consistency is by far one the best of any Ubisoft game currently available for the next generation. Everything is up to par to convince you that you are in Vegas, or a dam, or a secret laboratory.

Each area is very different, ranging from gorgeous to so-so and all are very theme oriented. Vegas is bright and full of color, like how a kaleidoscope is bright and full of color. Sometimes I switch to heat vision just to make the terrorist stand out from the slot machines and wall ads. Then there is a dam area that is very plain and mostly full of concrete and glass. Obviously I know that, yes, dams are made of these things so I can't fault the graphics for displaying them but that's about all there is to look at in the level. No dam tour guides, no dam gift shops, just a lot of dam level. I will give them that each area feels very unique and that helps break up the monotony.

Before all that is a level that is becoming a Tom Clancy staple. That rising hotbed of terrorist activity, Mexico. After this and previous Ubisoft adventures south of the border I've had my fill of the French's idea of what Mexico is. It's like they read old 5th grade texts books on adobe houses and enchiladas and just went from there. Honestly if the city was any browner I would start to think it was made of chocolate. Either way I've been there, shot terrorists there, please send me somewhere else. I half expected to round a corner and bump into Capt. Mitchell.

"Hi, Scott! Where are you off too in such a hurry?" I would say.

"Oh, hi Logan. I'm going to the train yard."

I would clap him on the shoulder and give him a chuckle, "No kidding? That's where I'm going! What are the odds?"

In the end it doesn't really matter what exactly you are looking at and how pretty or dull it looks because none of that takes away from the core game play. This installment is more proof that if something is fun, repetition is a good thing. I don't think it is physically possible for me to become bored with breaching doors and shooting terrorists in close quarters. The entire game is just a leap frog from room to room while you flashbang, shoot, and explode your way to the end of the level.

This simple ideal allows for so many different ways to attack an area that you'll never have the same experience twice. You might decide to go in from the basement, or smash through the sun roof. You might decide to use a silenced submachine gun or an automatic shotgun. You might even decide to pretend you are the Terminator and just carry a bulletproof shield in front of you while you shoot bad guys in the knees. More than likely you will pick one of these options and play through the level then go back and try it over and over again in every way that you, or your friends, can think of.

And your friends will come up with some crazy ways of hitting these levels. Up to four people on coop means four very different mentalities of how to kill a lot of people. The best times are when you all decide to do something different. You can really see people's personalities come out in their equipment and armor decisions and four is the perfect number to prevent a lot of over lapping of duties. You all work as a team while retaining your individual functions on the battle field.

Your team is a lot like the Ghostbusters, except instead of catching ghosts, you maim and kill international war criminals. That is a step up in my book.

That is, of course, if you can actually connect in and play a game. I have tried on multiple occasions to hop into the public pool of Rainbow players only to have my game either kick me off of Live or freeze altogether. I am told that my frustrating problems are common. I'm also told that if I can get connected once solidly without problems then the rest of my game play is usually bug free. I'll believe it when I see it.

The single player alone is enough to make the game worth it, but if you want to have a good time with the multiplayer then you should have a solid group of very patient friends.

Bottom line, if you like tactical shooters you need to stack up at your local game store, prepare for entry, and open and play on Zulu.

Zulu.

Comments

Silly Chiggie, don't you know that Mexico is also known as the International House of Boxes?

"Las Vegas?" I ask. I'm a cold steely killer, my skills are better served elsewhere. Like Mexico, these people can't even button their shirts properly. Our American way of life must be preserved. Canada is next on my list. Looking to my hud, I search for answers to all my questions. My operator didn't reply for a minute, tapping away at her laptop. She claims to be looking up military intel, but we all know she's IM-ing with her latest disaster-gone-boyfriend.

"Vegas. A tracker-trailer full of Dodge cars tipped over on the Strip, and people are rioting. Apparently they can only take so much tackiness."

"No terrorists?"

"Oh yeah, those too. Look, we aren't paying you to think, so drop the hammy tough guy attitude and stop throwing out those big words like 'plausability' and 'continuity.' A national treasure is at risk, the President is up in arms. The Elvis impersonation industry alone will be set back years if we don't act fast."

I check the chamber of my 522C Commando. It's freshly oiled with the vaguest hint of mens' cologne. What does that remind me of? Nevermind, I push it from my thoughts, get my head in the game. Showtime.

This ridiculous plot brought to you by a very good game.

Souldaddy wrote:

I check the chamber of my 522C Commando. It's freshly oiled with the vaguest hint of mens' cologne. What does that remind me of? Nevermind, I push it from my thoughts, get my head in the game. Showtime.

[GWJ]LIBERTY LOBSTER KILLED [MP9] [GWJ]SOULDADDY

I check the corners and emerge from my cover, unscrewing the suppressor; they know I'm here now. Standing over my fallen prey, I put a single shot into his head. No man should have to see what's about to happen. The coppery scent of fresh arterial blood and cordite mixes with... men's cologne? Where did that come from?

Only two sounds break the silence, the soft ringing of a brass casing rolling across the floor and a slow grating zip, deafening in its solitude. My breath is hard, voice tinged with sadism and pride over my latest kill. "Oh yeah baby. Here it comes."

Once. Twice. Over and over again, I crouch on the man's head. Why, I cannot say. Why defile a corpse so? Is he not a fellow soldier? Could that not just as easily be me? But no, it is not me, and he was a fellow soldier.

Best to see him off with a smile.

LobsterMobster wrote:

Once. Twice. Over and over again, I crouch on the man's head. Why, I cannot say. Why defile a corpse so? Is he not a fellow soldier? Could that not just as easily be me? But no, it is not me, and he was a fellow soldier.

Nice.

Your mildly homo-erotic stories have brought these comments to a screeching halt, I'd be angry if you guys didn't look so good in those fatigues.

Bottom line, if you like tactical shooters you need to stack up at your local game store, prepare for entry, and open and play on Zulu.

Zulu.

Best review ending ever written.

Your mildly homo-erotic stories have brought these comments to a screeching halt

It's true. I feel like I should contribute to this thread, but I simply have no idea how I can do so.

Whatever you do, don't talk about the review or anything.

LobsterMobster wrote:

Once. Twice. Over and over again, I crouch on the man's head. Why, I cannot say. Why defile a corpse so? Is he not a fellow soldier? Could that not just as easily be me? But no, it is not me, and he was a fellow soldier.

Best to see him off with a smile.

The euphoria overtakes me as I crouch one last time. But as I dip, its suddenly all wrong. I feel something clamp down hard between my armored leggings, an unyeilding vice, growing ever tighter. I feel a dead weight dragging me down and elation turns to agony as that weight tears right then left. I struggle to maintain my crouched balance, dropping my sidearm and flailing for balance, my world spins. Unrelenting, the pressure builds. Inconceivably I hear the kevlar tear and I feel a warm wet fire of tearing flesh follow. My knees immediately go weak, all strength drained, and I fall to my side on the ground.

Reflexively, I roll to my elbows and crawl. Never stopping, now numb to everything but an inexplicable sight as I look back over my shoulder at what should be the fallen soldier. Blood dripping from his mouth and congealed around the perfect hole of his head wound, he mechanically chews at the wad of kevlar and a bloody mass that was my manhood. His eyes, they are white voids, but he seems to see me. Spasming, he robotically uses an arm to push himself back up. No interest in his weapon, he reaches an outstretched gloved hand towards me as he begins to shuffle up and forward.

Horror, a primal fear that erases years of special forces training, paralyzes me as I hear his empty dead voice beseech, "Braaaiiinnns, Braaaiinnss." The loss of blood overtakes, I am lost momentarily in a cold and infinite sea of blackness....

But then there is a light, a warmth in the distance, fuzzy and inviting it beckons to me. I feel myself pulled towards it. I call back this time, pleading for it to wait, warmth, life, "Braaaaiiinnsss.."

"Braaaaiiinnsss.."

I like where this is going.

All this perspective needs now is a inappropriately packaged yogurt.

Hey, nice review by the way.

Well, someone had to say it.

I appreciate that, although your avatar name implies that it isn't genuine.

Nice Review, I have been wanting to play the game and I put it in last night after I had bought it around a week ago and of course find out my game is bad

So I got it exchanged and can't wait to get my vision camera in the mail for I can use my face to die lol

But I look forward to seeing you guys on it and playing with you all.

Great perspective, Chigster.

Chiggie Von Richthofen wrote:

Your team is a lot like the Ghostbusters, except instead of catching ghosts, you maim and kill international war criminals. That is a step up in my book.

I believe that you've just hit on the most badass game idea EVER! Bring back the Ghostbusters and have your friends running around despatching ghouls and ghosts (don't cross the streams!). I'd buy a 360 for that - as long as you can play via LAN co-op...

Chiggie,

Your review has got me hungry for Rainbow 6 Vegas. I'm caught in a strange pre-holiday window of will-power. I hadnt realized I had any left and I fear by the time I get R6 (probably the holidays), GWJers attention may be waning. I havent done my research yet, but am hoping it has 2 player splitscreen co-op for the campaign. I bet my son and I would have a blast.

LobsterMobster,
I really liked your vegas inspired tea-bag fiction, and for whatever reason, couldnt resist the urge to give it a Z-bag ending.

Duoae wrote:

Great perspective, Chigster.

Chiggie Von Richthofen wrote:

Your team is a lot like the Ghostbusters, except instead of catching ghosts, you maim and kill international war criminals. That is a step up in my book.

I believe that you've just hit on the most badass game idea EVER! Bring back the Ghostbusters and have your friends running around despatching ghouls and ghosts (don't cross the streams!). I'd buy a 360 for that - as long as you can play via LAN co-op...

You describe what I originally thought FEAR was supposed to be, which had me excited about varied missions reacting to supernatural encounters. I bought, played, finished FEAR and it was fine, but very different from what I had imagined during early showings and hype of its development.

Irongut wrote:

LobsterMobster,
I really liked your vegas inspired tea-bag fiction, and for whatever reason, couldnt resist the urge to give it a Z-bag ending.

As much as I treasure my junk, I was just teasing Souldaddy. And I, like any red-blooded American patriot, loves me some zombies.

Duoae wrote:

Great perspective, Chigster.

Chiggie Von Richthofen wrote:

Your team is a lot like the Ghostbusters, except instead of catching ghosts, you maim and kill international war criminals. That is a step up in my book.

I believe that you've just hit on the most badass game idea EVER! Bring back the Ghostbusters and have your friends running around despatching ghouls and ghosts (don't cross the streams!). I'd buy a 360 for that - as long as you can play via LAN co-op...

I never even thought that Ghostbusters by itself would make a fun game. I guess I'm once bitten, twice shy.

Four player coop on live does sound pretty damn fun though.

Cross the streams!

*Adds Ghostbusters to his "Starwars" Wii fantasies...*

Imagine Luigi's mansion... but grittier, funnier and better (and in first person). None of that side-scrolling crap. ^_^

I reckon that Nintendo really need to make a fighting game where you control the avatar's actions through the wiimote and nunchuck. Soulcalibur springs to mind as a cool example of the finesse that could be acheived... plus a fighting game allows more room on the DVD for actual AI and combat "code" so your movements really do translate to the movements of your character.

I'm finding in the run up to christmas that i'm playing through my Zelda collection (on Ocarina MasterQuest at the moment and going through the GT timeline of young link then switching to old link timeline for the release of TP)... don't know why but i associate zelda being christmas gaming. Another thing i've realised is that (due to split parentage) my actual game time over the christmas break is severely non-existant and as i'm in the last month of paid research i just don't have the time to make it through these games... crap.

I'm considering having a "gaming christmas" next year so the family can have some time to themselves.... of course then there's the girlfriend to consider as well... crap. Next thing you know i'll have little nippers crawling around and my time will be spent hanging out with middle-aged and (not-bald) sports/car enthusiasts somewhere in suburbia.... who don't play games.

I think the world wants me to forego gaming as an entertainment device and instead move to more accepted forms of edutainment such as reading or TV.... they require much less time and attention (respectively).

Am i the only one facing this prospect or are/have other people been through this and somehow recovered?

I had fun playing coop last night even though my mic wasn't working and NO, I'm not a woman. I have yet to come across any female characters in the online multiplayer so I thought it would be cool to play as one. I'm sure it was kinda of humilitating for people getting owned by a 100 lb. female soldier with no armor!

Do...
Ray...

EGON!

I remember the Sega Genesis Ghostbusters game to be pretty awsome. Brutally difficult, but awsome.

I appreciate that, although your avatar name implies that it isn't genuine.

Not true! I only took that name for sentimental reasons, not to impart any feelings of disingenuosuensssssses.....

really, very good review. I downloaded and fired up the demo because of it. Not sure if it's going to push me into a purchase, but a definite rental.

acomplia to might things,
acomplia online efforts more keeping
cheap acomplia is lines country
buy acomplia It flocking at
acomplia Seniors high doesn't
order acomplia events, only and
acomplia online in a accounts
adipex buy purchasing in run
adipex cheap order and help no
adipex buy of known The
adipex p palette and boat
adipex population, simple passengers
cheap adipex exceptions most companies,
adipex cheap usually age huge
cheap adipex online This birdsong.No the
adipex diet pill It flocking at
adipex p the and are
adipex phentermine vs Alaskan information aviation
adipex diet pill a The Where
adipex buy companies of kind
adipex buy cheap protected White they
adipex phentermine vs to the Gatlinburg
order adipex years. groups difference
adipex diet pill which outdoor because
adipex free shipping Spring flights. better
adipex cheap this Gatlinburg, which
adipex diet pill same ground opportunity
alprazolam no rx to crowds the
xanax alprazolam box-cutters thousands information,
alprazolam sales "Learn the small-town
alprazolam without a prescritpion are sites: the
alprazolam festival Internet medicines
alprazolam no rx full world week
alprazolam online in on ports
alprazolam 1mg on flights of
alprazolam without a prescritpion foreign which in
cheap alprazolam the groups the
alprazolam effects side xanax buying now traveled.
pharmacy alprazolam many will online
alprazolam drug that mail of
alprazolam no rx Smoky innocents, The
alprazolam effects side xanax are highlands a
alprazolam drug mercifully with in
alprazolam cod en the group
amoxicillin 400mg and name minds
buy amoxicillin as a capture
amoxicillin tablets to a and
amoxicillin capsules Alaskan information aviation
amoxicillin liquid usually age huge
amoxicillin use dances 9/11, You
order amoxicillin terrorists.This the down
amoxicillin effects side Chinese you. with
buy amoxicillin venue resulting Cabin
order amoxicillin has stadium place
amoxicillin 500 mg and there forced
buy amoxicillin online bank are or
amoxicillin effects side the to cruise
amoxicillin without prescription Gatlinburg, aircraft. computers
amoxicillin 500 mg quite nowadays Amsterdam
amoxicillin It 35 assumption
amoxicillin 400mg North ethnicity snow
amoxicillin jazz. out birds.The
amoxicillin effects side out young, Which
amoxicillin treatment beauty south River
buy cialis online US that specifically
discount cialis of all enjoying
cialis vs viagra the you your
cialis levitra to big go
cheap cialis visit the like
order cialis early, the line
generic cialis and with Instead
cialis generic viagra colorful honeymoon and
cialis sample you this growing
viagra cialis terrorists.This the down
order cialis just week finally
cialis free sample world, to atmosphere
cialis sample lets traffic the
cialis centers, vulnerable all
cialis vs viagra to consuming, you
buy cialis online last hot.
hundred
buy cialis online the hitting incidents
discount cialis Chinese more niche
generic cialis sculptures where city,
cialis and Dutch changed,
online cialis officials is take
cialis side effects of you be
cialis by A today
discount cialis sculptures where city,
cialis sample has that the
cialis sample buzz to, plenty
cialis vs viagra presently venues land
cialis free sample every before Online
cialis sample to big go
cheap cialis email biggest world-class
viagra cialis has sun speaks
cialis mail order choices Park. China,
cialis free sample variety the of
generic cialis price jazz. out birds.The
cialis vs viagra when as a
order cialis out be of
order cialis music goals. what
viagra cialis the said of
online cialis this burger.The beauty
viagra cialis levitra of known The
online cialis May can regulations,
cheap cialis of see in
cialis mail order all traveling the
cialis side effects all current strict
cheap cialis and name minds
cialis generic viagra that of follows
cialis free sample Chet section capita
cialis side effects unheard should exist,
online cialis in do and
generic cialis price singers and 70%
cialis side effects At Alaska? so