Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas (Xbox 360)

 

 

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This game is not what you might think - a sneaky "special forces take out a few terrorists" kind of romp. In the single player mode this is a fully fledged WAR pitting you and two AI team mates against literally hundreds of seemingly highly motivated opponents.

On the whole, this game gets rave reviews and it was on the strength of that plus some exotic screenshots that I bought it. On balance I'm glad I did, and I have spent (far too) many hours blasting the enemy. Unlike some shooters, the enemy in this one are very active and are always on your case, so chances to snipe them are fairly limited because as soon as you have them in your sights they can see you and will open fire. Also, take the boasts on the box with a pinch of salt... the ability to - "manoeuvre though multiple-path Vegas environments" is fairly short lived as you still end up at the same spot after a short distance. Also the "mastering techniques such as fast-roping, rappelling, window entry, etc." usually just involves pressing the 'A' key when the on-screen prompt appears, there's little finesse involved.

Pros
- Nice graphics, although a lot of the action takes place out of the great Vegas vista (e.g. in Mexico or inside buildings).
- Interesting choice of weaponry. No 'BFGs' here, just your regular military issue gear.
- Sensible ammo limits. If you have an itchy trigger finger then you'll soon be spent, leaving you to pick up weapons from fallen opponents or search endlessly for the next equipment box. Unlike some games you won't find boxes of bullets on every turn, so running out of ammo usually means you'll die fairly soon unless your AI mates can do the business.
- You can 'use' your AI team mates effectively to clear a small area and blast down doors, although be careful... (see Cons).
- Satisfying groans when you lob an incendiary grenade into the midst of your enemy (be careful though, they'll still fire back at you even when their eyes are streaming).
- Colourful language like "Would you like me to run into the bullets" when you are obviously wide of the mark. Yes there is some swearing but that's not going to worry you or your kids alongside the gratuitous killing that's going on!

Cons
- No option to save a game in progress, you have to wait until you either reach a checkpoint or the game itself decides to do a 'saving progress'. As a result you can spend half an hour carefully clearing a street of enemies, only to find you get sent right back to the start when you get killed. Also, when you 'Resume last checkpoint' you can lose saved progress. I quit for the day after one point where it said it saved my progress, only to find I had to start the whole stage again when I came back.
- Sometimes it's way too easy to die. From cover I unloaded eight or nine rounds into an opponent across a room, only to find he takes me out with a single shot. Or a grenade lands at your feet out of nowhere. Also, be careful about lobbing grenades - they can bounce back at you off plants or even empty space!
- Your AI team mates can sometimes be incredibly dumb, and if they die, you die.
- Glitches. Several times an opponent simply vanishes, only to reappear nearby whereupon you're shot dead.
- Lack of interaction with the environment. For the most part the scenery is just that... scenery. There are certain things you can shoot, like slot machines, light fittings & TV screens which is always fun.
- Unpredictable movement control. Sometimes your character can climb over a low wall, other times he can't even step over a small pile of rubbish. or a plank.

It was these mionor annoyances that kept me from giving the game a 5 out 5. For the most part the game is simply about shooting your way to the end of the next section, perhaps with some minor automated task at the end like getting your AI team to defuse a bomb or hack a computer. There are one or two touches like rescuing civilians or breaking into a room without getting hostages killed, but these are somewhat limited and a little bit more of this rather than who has got the superior firepower could have made the game more engaging.

Am I glad I bought the game? Yes! Despite the annoyances there is something that keeps you coming back for more, even if only to prove you can beat the damn thing. Would I recommend it to a friend? Probably yes. It's set to be a classic and despite a somewhat linear plot, it's a good test of your reflexes, patience and determination - just don't get too frustrated with the quirks along the way.

A very good game indeed. An excellent range to choose from in regards to weaponary. From sub-machine gun to pistol etc. A great online where you can have up to 16 players in one game session.
My only downside to this game is that you can't save it where or when you want. You have to complete the objectives given and get to a certain checkpoint before the game auto-saves.
Overall know, a must buy for any Tom Clancy/FPS fan!

Well, with the release of Gears of War around the same time as Rainbow Six, this game has been hugly overlooked. Everyone I see preaches how brillient and beutiful Gears of War is, and yes, I would have to agree, but there is no denying this game is absolutly superb as well.

Graphics: 8/10
- Well, the graphics are very, very nice. Nicly detailed, good lighting and a nice sense of realisam about the whole thing. There are sometimes when the graphics are at fault though. When in a bar, I shot a bottle (don't ask why...) and it just disaperred, it didn't explode, break or even just roll around, it just disappered into thin air. Sometimes the textures arn't at their best, but other than these two problems, this games graphics are definatly good.

Sounds: 8/10
- Again, the sounds are pretty good on the game. Now, I don't have surrond sound, so I can't comment on what it sounds like fully, but the gun noises seem pretty realistic (to my own knowlage, which is hardly none), and orders given to your team mates is said in a nice, and cool fashion.

Gameplay: 10/10
- This is definatly a 10/10, its superb. A warning first though, this game is not for run and gun people, it is a heavily, cover orientated game. With that in mind, the cover system on this works really well, I love how you can peak out around a corner, then continue to peak the whole way into the room, behind the door. Shooting out of cover (like in GoW) isn't too bad, but I don't personally use it. Your team orders are quite limited (6, based on what RoE you are in), but very effective, if you tag your target, they will be killed first, as "high priotiy." The levels are very long, and without tactics in mind, you will most likly die quite a lot.

Overall: 9/10
- With good sounds, good graphics, great gameplay, and xbox 360 achivements that arn't all too hard to get, this is definatly a must buy.

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3.0 out of 5 stars Weekend rental game
The game doesn't shine, but the single player campaign is decent. I don't recommend it for more than a rental or used low price.

Published 2 months ago by Flavio Mauri

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best Xbox-360 shooters
Without a doubt, one of the best Xbox-360 shooters.. possibly even all time shooters. There is just something about it, makes you want to come back for more and more. Read more

Published 3 months ago by Stephen

3.0 out of 5 stars Not for me - times have changed!
If you are an old school gamer, which doesnt mind games which lack FPS and don't mind not having the aspect of CoD or games alike, then this game will suit your needs, but like... Read more

Published 6 months ago by Aaron Richard Howells

4.0 out of 5 stars My opinions
It's a good game nice and easy to play but if im honest I prefer the sequal

Published on 14 Jan 2010 by Christopher Milligan

4.0 out of 5 stars Intense
I found this intense on realistic mode - take a couple of shots and there is no way to heal yourself and you are dead; and you have to reply the mission from your last point... Read more

Published on 11 Jan 2010 by Tellen

5.0 out of 5 stars Supurb in Every Way
To put this in perspective I Completed Rainbow Six Vegas in a few weeks and then instead of playing some of the other games i had bought at the same time I started it again. Read more

Published on 24 Dec 2009 by R. Dowling

4.0 out of 5 stars Nightvision a necessity
I took bad with this game having converted from COD4. It is very good but very different.

A tactical FPS, you also command a small squad that you move to your... Read more

Published on 1 July 2009 by Duncan McDonald

4.0 out of 5 stars ?
I MEANT TO BUY RAINBOW SIX VEGAS 2, BUT I BOUGHT THIS ONE INSTEAD. IN COMPARISON THE ONLINE MULTIPLAYER IS TERRIBLE BUT THE CAMPAIGN IS QUITE GOOD, ESPECIALLY ON COOP.

Published on 7 Jun 2009 by Debbie Beckett

3.0 out of 5 stars Decent
Good game, good story. Good features. I have been told by lots of people and experienced the fact that its VERY hard. Read more

Published on 11 Dec 2008 by L. Windsor

2.0 out of 5 stars Just annoying in single player.
Checkpoints, what checkpoints? This game is NO FUN in single player. As someone else said "You'll find it stops being challenging and just becomes a frustrating repetitive chore. Read more

Published on 21 Nov 2008 by Benito

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