Rainbow Six: Vegas

Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 has just been released which is good for me. Not because I wanted to buy it but because I suspect it lead to Rainbow Six: Vegas becoming a Platinum Hit. Don't worry if you aren't familiar with the term, all you need to know is that R6:V is currently available for the budget price of HK$190. Cheap!!

My first exposure to Rainbow Six was actually via the original novel written by Tom Clancy (thats right - I don't just play video games!). It was a great novel and a very clever idea. Basically, Rainbow Six is the code name for an international anti-terrorist unit which is given special training. And if you think that sounds like a great plot idea for a game, then you aren't the only one!

Like other Tom Clancy branded games, Rainbow Six: Vegas focuses on realism. Basically, if you try and run around like in other FPSs, your going to go down under a hail of bullets very quickly! R6:V is very much about careful considered action. Move your team into place, select which tango's you want them to take out, and then breach in and clear the room! Just like real anti-terrorist units (I suspect)!

So how does that actually translate into gameplay? Sounds like a perfect lead in for a single player gameplay example!

My team of elite anti-terrorists get to a door. Using the Snake Cam, I peer under the door and see two tango's (Tango = T = terrorist) - one just to the left of the door and one just to the right of the door. I order my two teammates to stack up on the door and get ready. Meanwhile, I head off to the side door and take cover right next to door.

I open the side door while still in cover. The two tangos immediately spot the open door and start moving towards me slowly - guns firmly trained on the open door. Their thinking is that if I dare to show my face, they will blow it off! However, as the second tango passes the first door, I order my team to Breach and Clear.

The breach command is basically to put a small breaching charge on the door. The breaching charge blows the door in (pity anyone standing behind the door!) and allows the team to then rush in through the open door. Did I mention before that I waited until the second tango was in front of the door before I ordered the breach and clear?
>:)

The doors blow in and take out the second tango. The first tango turns around to shoot at the incoming R6 members. At this point, I pop out of cover and cap the first tango in the back of the head. Perfectly planned and executed!

I love it when a plan comes together!