Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six

"The game that started tactical strategy action..."

''Tangos in sight.''

''Tango down!''
''Tango down!''

''Clear!''

Those are the words you'll be hearing when you sleep after spending massive amount of time with Rainbow Six.

Apparently, I came too late to review this game. Chances are, you either love the game, or never play it, or never will. For those of you who have played this game, consider yourselves lucky. If you haven't, well, what can I say? You've missed quite a game.

GAMEPLAY

Plan your strategy, enter the scene, shoot your enemies.

First of it's kind and it works perfectly.

'Nuff said.
(10/10)
STORY

Based on the novel written by Clancy, this one delivers not only action and suspense, but drama as well. Rainbow is the elite anti-terrorism composed of the best of the best from all over the world. At first, what seems to be random terror incidents occurs all around the world, keeping the rainbow members busy. However, later in the game you discover there is more than meets eye. (obviously..)
(8/10) it's not as good and detail as the novel, but for a computer action game it's top notch.

SOUND/MUSIC

Beautiful. Convincing character voices, realistic weapon effects and dramatic voice acting with the briefings and story telling, you could almost feel the tension.

The music delivers nicely, with a soundtrack similar to an action/war movie. Really, really good tunes. And you get a sad little tune when one of your members is down :(
(10/10) for sure

GRAPHICS

Pretty darned good. For a game that's made 3 years ago, the graphics holds up nicely even today. Terrorists looks convincing, gun are actual models of real guns. The locations actually look like what they are supposed to be... *cough* DOOM *cough*
(8/10)

REPLAY VALUE

Decent. 3 difficulty levels means that you could take on the mission with more realism (or cheaper AI, less bullets)
however you want to look at it. You can also download mods and missions online at many rainbow six game sites. Multiplayer is a blast too! The bad thing is every time a round ends the level have to reload... meaning: if you are playing 1 on 1, get ready to load A LOT!

DIFFICULTY/INTELLIGENCE

The AI is excellent for it's time. The terrorists act like true soldiers, cunning, deadly, and human. They execute hostages and panic at times. Sometimes, the AI does stupid things like having your enemy stuck running at a wall.

Well, your team mates aren't the sharpest tools in the shed either. They sometimes see the enemy but Apparently forgets to shoot. Yeah!! It's good when people pound the crap out of you. lol. But that only happens very rarely, and when it does, you're screwed.

By the way, there is no saving during a mission so prepare to load and plan the mission over and over again...
8/10

OVERALL 9/10

This was truly the beginning of the genre. A lot of games followed suit but none delivered as well as RAINBOW SIX.

Be sure to check out it's sequel ROGUE SPEAR. It's a much better buy than Rainbow Six, but if you want the game that started it all, well, here it is.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 03/14/01, Updated 03/14/01