Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield

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The title for best in tactical team FPS usually gets handed over to the Rainbow Six series. Raven Shield is what I'd like to call the 'breaking point' for the Rainbow series. Tom Clancy's special forces have never been better. There are so many new improvements in this game that the Rainbow Six series has reached its highpoint.

Tango Down

Like in all Rainbow games, you are a special force unit assigned to missions dealing with the new threat of terrorism. You and your fellow operatives are equipped with the latest in weaponry, electronics, tracking gear, and clothing. By using the typical Rainbow Six team selection screens, you plan out your strategy and inventory in minute detail; from the simple patrol path down a corridor to a complex entry into a breached door.

Quick Play!

Improved in this version of Rainbow Six is a quick play button. Veterans love to plan out their strategy and teams with the complex Rainbow Six planning screen, which basically makes the strategy the game for them. Beginners or adrenaline freaks sometimes can't appreciate this amazing tool in Raven Shield. People like this just want to get into the action. Lucky for them, there is now a 'quick play' button. By clicking this, the computer gives you a default mission plan and team inventory so you can get into the action fast. Most often, I have found the computer selections to be quite useful and reliable. Although initiating a quick play is easy, there is no way to do minor tweaks to the computer default selections. If you want to change your assault team's gun, from the computer default, you would have to plan the entire mission by yourself. Clicking 'quick play' launches you into the game immediately. Literally. There is no way to go and see what the computer selected and change some of the options. Minor setback, yes, but it can get very annoying when you don't want to plan out a mission but want a specific gun.

Guns Galore

As always, the Rainbow weaponry and gadgets are cutting edge. Ranging from the Micro-UZI 9mm machine pistol to the assault FAMAS G2 5.56mm, your weapon selection will be like going to your local armory and choosing whatever you'd like. Along with the weapons, there are also gadgets to help your forces detect the enemy before they detect you. Such gadgets include binoculars, IR scanners, and heart monitors.

Graphics!

Raven Shield includes an intense single player campaign that takes you all over the world to fight international terrorist threats. The graphics are amazing. Environments are detailed, players and enemies look real, and every map is different and filled with new objects. One winter map had storage shelves of wood that could be used to hide behind throughout the map, while another map had large rooms filled with pillars that could be used for the perfect Recon mission.

FINALLY a First Person View

Also new to this version of the Rainbow Six series is the feel of a first person shooter.

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That's right Medal of Honor fans, you can now see your weaponry in front of you. Though it may not sound like much, this improvement makes a huge difference. Since the Rainbow gear looks so cool, why shouldn't we be able to see it? For all of your hardcore veterans, don't worry, there is an option to switch it off... even though I don't know why you would.