Top Secret Magazine Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six

Rainbow 6 is not for the standard Quake2 type player. Rainbow 6 is closer to a simulation than a action game. R6 is based on realism and is built around a story written by Tom Clancy. The story is great and the game is nothing less than spectacular less a few minor glitches. Some of R6's features include 6 primary weapons to choose from including the MP5, MP5K, MP5SD, CAR-15, M16A2, and Benelli M1S90. The secondary weapons include the Beretta 92FS (SD), USP .40 (SD), and Mk23 .45 (SD). All of the weapons are modeled accurately and with detail. Inventory items are standard SpecOps type items including Door Breaches, Flashbang grenades, Fragmentation Grenades, and various kits to help cut down the time it takes to pick locks, set charges, and so forth...

As for the environments... They are some of the most detailed maps I've ever seen. My personal favorite being the Airport map, with hangars with airplanes inside, and one sitting outside with its engine running and the propeller turning (I've never tried running into it, though I'm sure it'd hurt :). The graphics are smooth and the action is great. Though those Terrorists (Tangos) have an annoying quick trigger finger and deadly aim on the harder difficulty settings.

The Artificial Intelligence (AI) could use some work.. When you encounter a room full of terrorists, and you shoot one with a silenced weapon.. The others don't seem to mind or even notice that one of their buddies just dropped to the floor and is bleeding all over the place. 2.jpg (10592 bytes)

The same goes with your partners.. If you run around a corner (with them following) and you turn a corner and suddenly hit the floor dead, they cant seem to figure out that there's an enemy around the corner. So one by one they run around the corner and get slaughtered.. Other than this lack of situation awareness, the AI is pretty good. If you shoot your un-silenced weapon, all terrorists within a certain radius will come to investigate. Sounds in this game are great, though a little quiet.. Though this might be simulating ear protection (yes, they wear ear protection into combat). Sounds range from gunfire, explosions, to the clunk of a dead body falling to the floor. Damage is also right on, though I wish they would map damage for more body parts.. As it is now, you'll die if your shot in the foot, just the same as if shot in the chest..

Playing R6 in multiplayer is some of the most fun I've ever had playing a FPS game. If I were to choose one word to describe it, it'd probably be 'INTENSE'. This game gets the adrenaline pumping. With one shot kills, this game keeps you on edge.

One of my favorite features is voice communications. YES, That's right! Voice communications! And the best part is, IT WORKS! (after installing VOXWARE.ZIP). Multiplayer includes several different modes of play. Overall, this is a great game, that was well thought out. If you like action or simulation games, this is defiantly for you. And if your not, you should still try it. Its a unique turn from the action FPS genre.

Company:
RedStorm
www.redstorm.com

Category:
Action-Simulation

NOTES:

Interest: 95%
Maniability : 90%
Graphics: 95%
Sound : 90%
Originality : 80%

TOTAL : 90%

Requirements:

Operating System:
Windows 95/98 with DirectX 5.x Required

Processor:
With hardware acceleration, 166 MHz Pentium minimal. Without hardware acceleration, 200MHz Pentium MMX recommended.

Memory:
16 MB minimum
32 MB recommended
Hard Drive:
100 MB free

Sound Card:
SoundBlaster compatible or better

Video:
Direct 3D compatible hardware acceleration recommended

DEMO