'Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2' hits the jackpot

1:22pm Saturday 8th March 2008

There's no such thing as a safe bet in Vegas, unless Tom Clancy is in town.

After a successful maiden voyage, Ubisoft returns to Sin City in Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2, a gripping tactical shooter.

The second chapter takes place just before the events of the original. As Bravo team leader Bishop, you must thwart a threat in Las Vegas from terror mastermind Alvarez Cabrero. The locales are disparate, from - no surprise - a casino to a downtown recreation center.

The visual evolution from the first Rainbow Six Vegas to the second is subtle. Graphics are tightened up to look brighter and sharper. Developers have also polished the in-game interfaces for a sleeker feel.

One element that remains consistent is its intense strategic action. You command a squad consisting of yourself and two others. Orders are straightforward for a militaristic game: Move, hold position and regroup. You can also adjust rules of engagement between assault and infiltration. New to the series is the ability to suppress enemies with grenades tossed by computer-controller teammates.

When playing solo, your teammates prove to be very useful. They'll breach and clear rooms quickly and efficiently. During gunbattles, the action feels balanced enough that you're not carrying the entire team. The only quibble is their poor aim when tossing grenades. Enemies are equally as proficient at firing weapons and using tactics like flanking.

The cover system is incredibly easy to use, letting you hop behind obstacles quickly. The command options open the door for complex strategic attacks. Most rooms have multiple entries, so while you storm down through a skylight, your teammates can toss a smoke grenade and burst through a doorway. Certain levels produce white-knuckle moments. One in particular involves you and a teammate holding off a group of terrorists while a third cohort disarms a bomb attached to a key witness.

Rainbow Six Vegas 2 also incorporates some RPG elements in the form of experience points. As you advance and utilize tactical skills, you're rewarded with promotions in rank along with new gear and weapons. You can also earn specialization points, or ACES, depending on how you dispatch foes. If you prove effective at breaking through enemy defenses, you gain Assault points. If your long-range shooting is impeccable, you earn Marksman honors.

Options are diverse for all levels of gameplay. Characters are fully customizable, from weapon types and armor to facial features. If you don't prefer the campaign, Terrorist Hunt offers a strong alternative. The goal is to kill all the terrorists as quickly as possible, either with a squad or as a lone wolf. There's also plenty of opportunities for multiplayer and co-op action.

Rainbow Six Vegas 2 hits the jackpot with commando-style action and precise tactical controls. It's one of best bets in gaming.

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