Introduction

After a 4 month period, PS2 owners finally get to experience what PC and Xbox users have- a Rainbow Six 3 title. Here's a brief run down on the official contents..

Moving straight along to the review....

Sound

The music sounds like many other Tom Clancy games- pretty clear and crisp and builds during tense moments. The sound effects are nice also. Its the small things like hearing footsteps coming and going, enemies and team mates groaning and complaining when shot/wounded,enemies screaming before they are about to unleash hell on you with their RPG's and USAS-12's.

Infact, there are alot of other sounds I just found recently such as, when you shoot the grand piano on the Estate map each key makes different sounds and birds stop chirpping when a firefight breaks out. The weapon sounds just about right but for some strange reason you sometimes can't hear team mates or enemies firing when they are a few feet away from you.
Grade: 7/10

Controls

The controls on the PS2 version are very well laid out especially when you know on the PC version you need alot of keys. Both analog sticks move,change stance and aim/zoom. There are only 2 buttons needed to command your team and if that's not enough all you have to do is hold down on one button to bring up the command screen and give different orders, even set up a "Zulu" (GO!) code. Slowly opening, closing doors is also in game including a quick weapon select to switch to your sidearm/primary when you need to reload in a intense firefight.

There is only one problem and that is the "action button" is also the "command" button, so sometimes when you try to open a door or climb a ladder you tell your team to move to the direction your aiming at- spoiling any surprise you may have for the tangos if your team goes through a occupied room to get to your position.
Grade: 8/10

Graphics

The character and map textures are ok, not superb but not stinking bad either. They are a little above average for a PS2 title but give off a "quick port" feel. From the looks of it, the game uses the same game engine as the PS2 version of Splinter Cell. There's nice lighting, great shadow effects (thought my shadow was a tango at one point lol), the smoke effects and cloth (moving drapes) are nice too. Grade: 7/10

Gameplay

The single player mode is the PS2 versions bread and butter. There is the deep storyline much like the Xbox and PC version with the CG movies.Also you can play co-op with another person on the same system spilt screen style.

The tangos take cover,hostages, fire over/around objects and can be a thorn in your side since they know how to shoot and use explosives now. Of course you can also use explosives against them, they just love to run around screaming for joy when they are introduced to "Willie Pete" and his cousin "Ped Pete" via M203 >:D . Unlike the PC version there isn't any rag doll physics and the tangos bodies disappear when you take your eyes off of them for more then 5-10 seconds.

 

Your team mates (and tangos) sometimes suffer from the common "disease" Tom Clancy games feature- random stupidity/skills. Sometimes they will engage targets from afar and drop them with 1-2 shots and other times they will stand in place (cluttering up the door way) and take fire from a tango a few feet away and not fire back but let you know they are being shot.

All maps are two part,so when you complete the first half of the map you go to a loading screen to load the other half of the map.
Grade:8/10

*Online*

The online feature feels rushed to say the least. There are only 3 game modes,..

Final Grade: 7/10

Last word

Rainbow Six 3 for the PS2 is a great single player game, it's only when you dabble into the online feature where you'll probably be put off. Considering the price tag of $50, it might be better to get the Xbox version if you can find it cheaper which is most likely. The game is a definite rental and a purchase if you really like it.

Not Convinced?

Here are some other reviews for R6:3 PS2!

Gamespot 6.9/10
WorthPlaying.com
Gamespy (preview)