Extreme Gamer Canada - Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas PS3 Review.

Last years Xbox 360 and PC version of Rainbow Six: Vegas finally repels onto the black surface of the Playstation 3. If you haven’t had the pleasure of experiencing Ubisoft's tactical shooter, now’s the chance to spring into action as part of Team Rainbow. The PS3 version of Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas at its core remains almost identical to its previous releases. The main difference here is that Ubisoft has squeezed some new content onto the Blu-ray disc that was avaliable for download if you have a Xbox 360. If you already have played through Rainbow Six Vegas there isn’t enough weight to make you purchase the PS3 version, however if you’re new to the series and have a PS3, Rainbow Six: Vegas is worth a look if you're a fan of precision shooting and hunting down terrorist scum. Last december, Rainbow Six: Vegas scored strongly amongst consumers and critics last year with an 88.9% on game rankings for the Xbox 360 followed by a solid 85% on the PC. I imagine after all the reviews come in the Playstation 3 version will follow suit. The next generation of Rainbow Six takes a new action oriented approach rather then its overly complex simulation action roots which the series started out on. Rainbow Six Vegas moves a quick pace, keeping you interested in the story while plugging in strategy elements of duck and cover and team commands. If you've liked a Rainbow game in the past there is no reason why you wouldn't enjoy the teams outing in Las Vegas. Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas can be easily summed up because its stays put in the Nevada desert, adult playground called Las Vegas with a few side trips on the side. Unlike the old Rainbow Six adventures we have one solid plot line running through out the game that receives updated objectives as you progress through the story. If I had to make a comparison to Rainbow Six Vegas it would be Tom Clancy’s own series, Ghost Recon. Vegas is an interesting twist for a Rainbow Six game and it works out flawlessly. Fighting on the Strip and under the bright lighted Fremont Street or in the scaffolding of a half built Casino makes for an interesting twist from airports and terrorist vacation villas from the past. Vegas is rich is story, locations, and objective goals. It was a brilliant mark to bring Las Vegas into a shooter and as it stands Ubisoft holds the award for most slot machines shot up in a game. Rainbow Six: Vegas also gets a long nod towards it’s except indoor close quarter gunplay elements. The new cover system that was introduced in this series is fluid on the PS3 and works well with the Playstation control. The controls might be a little loose compared to the Xbox 360, but overall this doesn’t affect the gameplay. I really enjoyed the blind shooting, and duck and cover shooting elements. Rainbow Six Vegas like, dare I say, Gears of War, tries its best to keep your adrenaline pumping as the enemies try gain the flanking advantage. Like Gears, Rainbow Six Vegas can become a little tiresome given you rinse and repeat the formula over and over, however the change in environments helps keep the game feeling fresh over its course. The extra content Ubisoft squeezed out of the PS3 version is the Red and Black map pack that was available on Xbox Live for 800 MS points along with a few new maps and game modes. If you’re a multiplayer fan then Rainbow Six Vegas should have enough gusto to stay in your PS3 for quite some time, but if you’re only in it for yourself, you’ll wish Ubisoft tacked on a few extra episodes. Online Rainbow Six Vegas runs smooth, so smooth you would think you’re on the Xbox Live Network. All the extras are included and for once the Sony Network holds up and gets the similar treatment as the “other guys”. I was impressed with the online portion of Rainbow Six Vegas on the PS3, which is definitely up for best PS3 online shooter of the year. The Montreal development crew tired to come up with some way to utilize the motion controls of the Sixaxis controller of the Playstation 3 which turns out to be controls for the games snake camera. This is the Tom Clancy essential tool that helps you look under doors to better asses situations. In a shaky effort you can try and use the Sixaxis to tilt your way around the room. For innovation, that’s it. I can’t really fault the Ubisoft team for only using the Sixaxis for the snake camera, at least they didn’t try and clutter up the main controls with useless motion controls. An area of concern with the PS3 version of Rainbow Six Vegas is the graphics quality. Strangely the entire presentation looks a little blurry and undefined. Compared to the Xbox 360 version, the PS3 doesn’t measure up the other system with a loss in effects, sharpness, and textures. I was surprised and a little let down with the quality of graphics on the Playstation 3. It could have something to do with 1080i up scaling, or the simple fact that the game was built for other platforms and then translated over to the reportedly complex PS3 architecture. At least the audio doesn’t take a hit like the graphics and manages to keep the high standard of audio the Rainbow Six series is noted for. The Playstation 3 version of Rainbow Six: Vegas gets another highly recommended score from Extreme Gamer. This time around, it’s with a direct call for gamers who haven’t experienced Ubisoft high roller on another system. Given its easy to hook up online multiplayer aspects and solid single player mission, Rainbow Six: Vegas holds up as one of the systems best shooters. It might have taken a while to arrive, but for those who have waited it out, you won’t be disappointed. Join the terrorist hunt, online, offline, or in co-op play, Rainbow Six: Vegas stakes are high. Gameplay:8, Graphics/Sound:7, Innovation:7.5, Mojo: 8 Final: 8 / 10
Excellent Multiplayer Options Including Co-Op, Innovative Game Settings, Intelligent Story Graphics Dulled Out, Sixaxis Controls Tacked On, No New Single Player Content
	Reviewed by Jimmy \| 07.01.07
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. 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.