SWAT 3: Close Quarters Battle

"If SWAT life were as easy as this..."

Games like this can make life as a SWAT member look quite appealing, which it might well be, but then again, it could be like a living hell.

Graphics: 7/10
I know I should give the graphics a much higher rating, I enjoy it when the blood spills out as I shoot, but I think that given the circumstances, it probably could've been much better. Like Tom Clancy games, you don't see your weapon, just a free-floating reticule, which is annoying, because I prefer the view that games like Unreal Tournament and Operation Flashpoint provide.

Sound: 8/10
The combat sounds are very realistic, even the moans and groans of injured suspects. There is music while you play, but it is set to very low volume, and because I don't spend hours tinkering with the options until it's perfect, I just leave it as it is. The gun sounds are pretty good, although you can't really here the reloading.

Intro: 2/10
Compared with the trailer of SWAT: Urban Justice, the trailer to this game is really poor. It's boring and unappropriate, there are some games like Red Alert 2 or Urban Chaos where I could watch the into until my heart spills out, but this was just tiresome to watch, even the first time round.

Replayability: 8/10
There are many different sites that can easily give you downloadable levels and/or campaigns, and some of the missions that you play in the game you will want to play again and again. However, what would've been great, would've been if for once, YOU could've been the bad guy. It's all well and good you going round the world killing the bad guys, but for once it would've been better to just see it from a different aspect. Thank god for games like GTA III and Operation Flashpoint

Final Verdict:
If you do buy this game, make sure you get the downloads to first upgrade this to Elite Edition and then Tactical Game of the Year Edition. With these, not only to get about fifteen new weapons, you also can have two squads instead of one, and you can also become an normal guy instead of the leader. Very interesting. Overall, this is worth the money you'll pay (as long as it is no more than a tenner) but it is all too easy, and a little far-fetched, you couldn't really base information on SWAT on this game, this is just another tactical shoot-em up, a cross between Quake II and Rainbow Six Games, with added elements too.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 12/20/02, Updated 12/20/02