DVON's Full Review: Rainbow Six: Vegas for Xbox 360
The "Rainbow Six" series seemed to had already come and gone in terms of mainstream popularity by the time "Vegas" rolled around for the Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and PC nearly two years ago. The first game in the long-running series was a groundbreaking first-person tactical shooter that both broke barriers for the strategy/stealth FPS genre and moved units on a massive scale as well, whereas "Rainbow Six: Lockdown," "Vegas's" predecessor, was more a cut-and-dried action shooter that few seemed to notice, thus halting "Rainbow Six's" firm grip on the subgenre. Within that same timeframe other stealth-oriented series', consequently, took over where the “Rainbow Six” franchise had firmly jumped the shark ("Ghost Recon" and "Splinter Cell," for example).
It is all the more befitting then that "Vegas" be a return to the tried-and-true "Rainbow Six" formula; that is assessing the situation, breaching, clearing and playing it tactically. "Lockdown," however mediocre it may have been, was only mediocre because it broke the unwritten rules as to how a "Rainbow Six" game should be made. Intensity and scripting don't necessarily go hand-in-hand and that is what "Vegas" gets right. It should also be noted that much of the strategy of previous “Rainbow Six” games were gone also, leaving nothing but a hollow shell that was more akin to an action shooter than the much-celebrated first-person, squad-based stealth games that were the previous titles . "Vegas" successfully integrates the above mentioned intensity, tension, and tactics, more or less, by way of its tight focus on "you are there" squad-based combat that truly manages to immerse rather than by way of thousands of "Lockdown"-ish scripted sequences and even its C-grade action flick shtick.
But be warned, though; "Vegas" is not an action game. Clips will be spent and limitless rounds will be fired, but play this run and gun and you're toast. The focus has been firmly placed back on getting the upper hand over your enemies stealthily, tactically even, then eliminating them quietly and with the help of your squad. Aiding you in your "journey" through a terrorist-infested virtual Las Vegas are your aforementioned squadmates who, surprisingly, help a lot more than they harm and also a plethora of interesting, but resourceful, physical tools that you will need to survive.
For example, slide your Snake Cam underneath a door to see what's going on inside the room adjacent to you without detection, or rappel down the sides of buildings (sometimes very immensely structured buildings) and then send you and your squad crashing through a window for a rather cinematic, uncouth entrance; these are just a few of the more crucial aspects of game play in which you can wholly control. And the Snake Cam, first and foremost, not only allows you to get the drop on enemies quietly and efficiently, it also gives you the opportunity to set up targets for your squad so when you do decide to breach the entrance, your fellow Rainbow operatives will take them down on sight.
Rappelling down structures seems a very small aspect of game play when one considers the bigger picture. Not only does it get you to locations much quicker than walking, say, a floor or two down, you can also attack your enemies from the outside in. Rappel down a building - either rightside up or upside down - and you are able to eliminate enemies by shooting them through the glass. Not only a cool game play addition, it is also a very useful combat aid.
Utilizing your squad effectively in firefights and even in basic map navigation is also very important. Without them, you are as good as dead. Position your aiming reticule anywhere within the visible vicinity and send your fellow Rainbow operatives there. Have them regroup by holding down on the D-pad or you can have them change their combat approach (e.g. infiltration or assault) by pressing LB. Almost any door can be interacted with (apart from being opened by you or Snake Cammed) by you and your squad. You can position them to breach and clear a room, frag a room, or simply clear it by each respective press of the D-pad once they are in position. These are very important commands and you will find, more often than not, that finding out how to properly use your squad in combat is key to coming out victorious in any of "Vegas's" dynamic combat situations.
And for the first time ever in a "Rainbow Six" game there is also a cover system. Pressing and holding LT while facing many assorted cover objects conceals you from most enemy fire. While in cover you can either suppress fire by simply pulling Right Trigger or you can push the left stick in the left, right or up directions, respectively, to lean out and allow for a more precise shot. Zooming can be used - when in cover - by pressing in the right stick (also used for aiming down the sights/scope when not in cover). The new cover system specifically designed for "Vegas" is a fantastic addition to the series that is both easy to use and tremendously intuitive.
“Vegas” plays excellently, sure, but it also looks excellent as well. It was one of the first games to use advanced Unreal 3 Engine technology, and being a year and a half old at this point, its surprising that it still looks as good as it does. Most impressive are the outdoor environments; that is where the lighting and vast architectural design gets a chance to truly shine. Although the Unreal 3 Engine is probably more known for vast lighting detail and superbly textured character models (which are just as superb here as) than memorable locales, “Vegas” manages to put you smack-dab in the middle of this virtual Vegas without ever signifying that you are NOT part of this immense illusion. The character models, as mentioned, are also finely detailed and highly bump-mapped, though I will admit that facial detail isn’t all that it could be. That is easily overlooked though. A year and a half after release “Vegas” still looks top-of-the-line, which is no small feat.
More importantly though is the game’s sound design. Weapons sound accurate and bombastic which is all that can be asked of them. Sounds of environmental damage, such as slowly damaging a parked car with gunfire and listening to it fall apart piece by piece or hearing bullets fly past your head then pound into the wall behind you, is incredibly immersive. It was refreshing to see the in-game sequences layed out to the player with little to no music; it placed firm emphasis on the action and its accompanying sounds of battle. But music, when applied, is incredible and immersive in and of itself. Voice acting is also solid, though at times lacking in sound quality.
Moreover, apart from “Vegas’s” game play and graphics, AI is also one of its strong points. Enemies interact with you and your squad realistically, often finding cover, flanking, and working as a team. Your squadmates also tend to act as a real squad, focusing fire, responding to your orders efficiently, and helping out quite a bit in combat. Although its not perfect, it’s certainly a step up from the average “Lockdown” and prior “Rainbow Six” games given the vast advancement in modern technology.
I’ve played through “Vegas” for the PC and I’ve played through it again for the 360 and I’ll be completely frank with you, the 360 version is THE version of the game to get. A better framerate, more precise controls, easier maneuverability; it all just combines to form a better game. “Vegas” was above average on the PC but 100% exceptional on the 360. Although "Lockdown's" successor is not quite on par with the original "Rainbow Six" or its equally impressive sequel, "Rogue Spear," it's definitely one of the best “Rainbow Six” games to come along in some time. It has nearly everything you could ask for in a tactical shooter and then some. One of the best 360 games to date, as well as one of the best of its genre. I fervently wait until I can get my hands on the sequel.
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