GAME - Rainbow Six: Siege
DEVELOPED AND PUBLISHED BY - Ubisoft Montreal
I can't tell you how much of a love affair I have with Rainbow Six. It stems back as far as Rainbow Six 3 on the original Xbox and the mixture of a more serious strategy based combat system along with the simplicity of console playability resulted in a very addictive game I couldn't get rid of until the console era upgraded itself. The same happened with the amazing Vegas and its sequel, but the gap between the second game and Siege has been long and almost uncertain, following the canning of the original idea of Patriots, but thankfully we now have a new addition to one of the best thought provoking shooters.
The biggest difference this time round is that there is no single player story mode of any description. Normally I would sit and moan about this for a while, but when you look at the direction that gaming has went recently, you can see why there has been more of a lean towards competitive and cooperative multiplayer instead of anything else. It isn't that there isn't anything for a lone wolf to do. There are the 10 tutorial scenarios to take care of, which will earn stars and credits, and the thankful return of Terrorist Hunt as well. There has been a bit of an overhaul of it, with more ways to play this part of it, such as hostage rescue and the switch round to keep hold of your leverage, as well as bomb defusing and the original obliteration of terrorists.
Whichever way you do this, either on your own or with up to four other pals, you instantly feel like it is putting on a pair of old slippers. There may well be new innovations to the gameplay mechanics, like blowing up walls and floors to access your interest points from easier places to make your mission easier, but there is still that FEEL of Rainbow Six. This, I have to admit, fills me with joy. The playability is so beautifully simple, but still keeps you on the edge of your seat, especially when you keep the difficulty levels up at hard or above. Normal is manageable, but you can see that the enemies are a bit dumbed down. Do not think this is the case on hard or realistic, as they are very sneaky. The first attempt I had of Terrorist Hunt with a friend was going along quite simple enough, until you realise you've forgotten an access point and you haven't kept your eye on it. The bad guys are horrendously sneaky.
But, I hear you asking, what is it like when you're just wanting to play against other humans? Well.... It is bloody good. The multiplayer is a different kettle of fish, mainly because it is the first time the game has been in 60 frames a second outside of a PC. Taking a leaf out of the Call of Duty book, this extra sheen makes such a difference on your online gaming shooters and to feel Rainbow Six in this way is a joy to behold. The only downside is that the other modes on Rainbow Six are a capped 30, but veterans to the series will not mind this at all, as it has always been that way. It almost feels like this little extra is a present to all those who have went along with the franchise for many years.
There are 11 maps in total from launch and they are nicely varied. Everything from a training base in Hereford, England, to bomb strapped planes or an embassy building and even a snowy lodge. The thing about Rainbow is that there may not be a lot of substance in terms of game modes, but that is more than made up for by the way you have to think about so much before you begin. This is the one truly great thing that sets this shooter apart from everything else. Most other multiplayers just happen. You spawn, you shoot and maybe get the odd one or two and then you die and start the rinse and repeat process. Here it is one life, with a chance to get back up if your team can get to you before you bleed out. You need eyes on the back of your head and the one thing you cannot do is rush in. It isn't the done thing and also not the right way to play it.
I was worried about Rainbow Six: Siege, I really was. The lack of some original story worried me a little and I was beginning to think that we weren't getting a lot of game for our money, but when you begin to look between the lines, things change. All of the additional maps available over the next year will be free to everyone, regardless of season passes, as well as the high grade feel of the game remaining so true to the original makes this an unmissable title.
I cannot lie, but this is such a brilliant game to play. It is the game grownups have craved for without actually knowing they did. We have been over saturated by boring, predictable shooters with their usual rules and regulations, culminating in the fact that I would recommend this far more than any other shooter we have had this year. It shows what a lot of experience and a bit of thought can do from both developer and player. Sure, it may not look like the greatest game in the world, but there is a gritty visual style to it that puts you into the game better, rather than thinking some idiot in a double jumping cyber suit will scrape the wall or something stupid like that.
Rainbow Six: Siege is a completely essential title. If you have been craving a shooter outside of DICE and the Activision collective then you really need to get this. It opens your eyes to just what is possible as well as what we have missed for many years. Tactical shooters have always been Ubisoft's domain, on consoles at least, and this just proves the pedigree they have. You must get this. It truly is a game you won't regret having in your collection, and I know, hand on heart, I will have this for a long, long time.
Truly essential.
A big thank you to the Xbox Community for giving us the chance to review this game.
