Review - Rainbow Six Vegas 2

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2 is the first Rainbow Six game I have ever played. A large complaint about the game seems to be that it is too similar to the first game. Seeing as I never played the first game I can't say that the game is identical to the first. What I can say, however, is the game never quite shakes the feeling of being something you've felt like you've played before. However, clever cover mechanics and good team mechanics (for the most part) give what would be an average game a layer of engaging individuality.

The story is typical of all Tom Clancy games. If you pay attention to every little detail of the game, you can probably deduce exactly what's going on and why you're on the missions you're on. Most of the time is spent killing terrorists because you were told to. However, a strong story isn't the reason to play any Tom Clancy game. It's the strategic and robust gameplay that draws you in. In most areas, RSV2 delivers on this note.

When your teammate's respond to what is going on, the game is extremely fun. In most cases, they do. But there are many times where the AI goes haywire to the point where basic things such as trying to get them to stop blocking a doorway become a difficult and aggravating task. But for the most part, the AI in the game works. It's not the best, but your teammates usually will be able to go in a room and take everyone out, provided you support cover.

Where the game truly flourishes is when you're surrounded by terrorists and the only thing keeping you from immediate death is a small slab of concrete. This is when using your team wisely becomes essential. The game does an extremely good job of providing a very heroic feel to every fire fight. Many instances feel like they could very easily be implemented in an action movie. These moments are when the games shine. Hiding behind a door, and popping out for half a second to quickly take down a turret gunner is an immensely satisfying feeling. However, these moments are all too often disrupted by a struggling framerate.

It seems like every game released using the Unreal 3 engine has issues. Some worse than others. Far too often RSV2 feels like it should have spent another month or so being tested and debugged. The single player campaign gets hit hardest. The game is supposed to run at 30 frames per second, but having the game maintain that framerate is a rarity whenever you are in combat. The game can slow down to the point where it feels like you're watching a slideshow rather than watching a movie. One thing I did notice, however, is that the problem seems to let up the farther you get in the single player game. Framerate drops were so frequent at the beginning of the game that I almost stopped playing. If you give the game a chance though, and make it past the third act, the game gets better. The slowdown still exists, mind you, but it isn't as bad.

One great element the game contains is its leveling system. You have an experience bar, which can be leveled depending on how you play. There are three categories: Marksman, Close-quarters Combat, and Assault. Rest assured, no matter how you prefer to play the game, you will find your niche in at least one of the categories. Every kill you get, be it offline or online, goes towards your overall experience. The system works really was, as people who prefer to play offline will still be able to build a good character that is ready for combat for if they decide to go online, and vice versa.

The online play feels slightly dated. While it is fun, the game might seem stripped down in some ways to anyone who has played a lot of Call of Duty 4 online. For one, the absence of any type of melee weapon is a big disappointment. Without it, you are essentially an open target any time you reload or if someone catches you off guard. What really keeps the online from flourishing, however, is the lack of importance the cover system has online. Taking cover is crucial to the single player game, both in terms of survivability and enjoyment. More often than not, trying to take advantage of the cover system online will simply get you killed. Taking away the most enjoyable aspect of the game's structure is what really kept the online play from being stellar. Regardless, the vast amounts of gametypes and maps still make for an enjoyable online experience, even though there are better shooters that can be played online.

Rainbow Six Vegas 2 never quite shakes the feeling that it is stuck in the past. The gameplay has a lot of major framerate issues, and the lack of standard first person shooter elements, such as melee, keep the game from reaching its full potential. Still, despite all of this, it's hard not to love the game once you sink your teeth into it. The teamwork and cover aspects of the game work remarkably well, and despite its shortcomings, Rainbow Six Vegas 2 is a great game.

RSV2 hits 4 sniper shots out of 5