Wildmouth's Full Review: Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Expansion: Eagle Watch fo...
Lock and Load! And don't you dare think twice on this mission or its over!
Tom Clancy's ability to capture you in a story has worked in print and on film. Now, it works in PC gaming. To make a long story short; I finished Rainbow Six as fast as I could so I could start on Eagle Watch. now I'm rushing to finish so I can experience Rogue Spear.
Let's take this step by step, shall we?
Before we start on the good stuff if you have a child and don't want them to see graphic violence, I wouldn't recommend this game. However, if you are an adult who puts the children to bed early or even if you don't have kids, then let's go.
The story.
Based on the novel of the same name, you take command of an international counter-terrorist group. You are briefed by Rainbow command. Next, you pick your team. Then you outfit each member according to their specialty. Next, you plot you infiltration to either engage and take out the enemy, rescue hostages, obtain computer information, disarm explosives and toxic bombs then try to get out with you life intact.
The training.
Before you start it is more than wise to take advantage of the training sessions. There is a large variety focusing on all facets of maneuvers. I started the game without training and made it out of the first mission with four or five of my eight team mates. I never made it out of the second round until I took training sessions.
The Rainbow team characters.
Without going into names I'll simply say they are well detailed. I explained the game to a friend who has read the novel and he confirmed that the characters are the same as far as he could remember. I love consistency. Your team is chosen from specialists in assault, explosives, electronics and recon. Almost every race is represented and both genders are well represented. (For you politically correct people).
The enemy.
You want bad guys? We got bad guys. From business and scientific research tycoons to third-world rebels to crooked politicians (as if they could ever be) if you want slime to catch, go get em. Just don't kill them. You might get some useful info.
The weaponry.
Very realistic as far as my limited knowledge of firearms goes. Sounds are adjusted during play to denote your weapon of choice. In addition to advanced firearms, here's a short list of other little specialties: three types of protective wear (including bomb armor), grenades, flashbangs, door frags, lock-pick kits, demolitions kit and extra clips for those long nights out on the town.
The planning. Unique.
A defined blue print of the target marks your entrances, exits and inside targets. You map your teams progression in any sequence you wish. This adds to the strategic creativity of the gamer. The map is articulable in all directions and can be raised to 3D vision.
The teams.
Eight man teams at most, but its not a rule. Some missions require less. At any rate you get to chose whatever. Are you a Colon Powell type leading a skilled team to victory by plotting their every move? Are you a crazed radical who likes to let the team run loose while you do your own thing? Or, are you a Rambo who loves the solo mission? Its all up to you.
(Man, can I sell or what?)
The action. FAST. FAST. FAST.
The manual states that you should spend more time planning than executing. When I first read this I thought "where's the fun in that?" But I soon found that things don't always go right with the plan. If my character were in a movie, at the end he would have lamented "I lost a lot of good men." That leads me to another aspect of this game which makes it realistic. Although you can start any mission again in hopes of getting your entire team out alive, I preferred to go to the next mission if successful even if the entire team did not survive. What happens in reality when someone dies? Right. They don't come back. It makes the game that much more difficult; especially if you lose a superior team member.
The locations.
The world. Space Shuttle launch pad, Middle Eastern palace, Chinese Mansion, British Parliament and Capitol Hill, D.C. Great artistry on the details.
The movement.
My one complaint; its a bit quick. be careful not pop your team mate in the back. However, the quickness ultimately makes you more aware of how you control your character.
Summary. Excellent.
In addition to multiplayer action, this game offers seamless images, great action and sounds, realistic scenery, realistic reaction from enemies and just plain thrilling.
Whether its Eagle Watch or Rainbow Six, you will not be disappointed.
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