It Hurts So Good
What you should know about Rainbow Six: Vegas first and foremost is that if you are a newcomer to the world of the 'Tactical Shooter' (like I am) it's NOT an easy game. It's a beautiful game, but it's tough. It's the kind of thing that makes you want to pound your face into the coffee table. For example, it'd be more difficult for a person to get shot walking into an Italian airport with an AK-47 and a Ziplock bag full of Anthrax (with a big label that reads "Ha! I'm Anthrax"), than it is to get through the first level of this game without dying more times than I can count on all four of my hands. Dang, I think the coffee table has given me a concussion. Okay, with all that out of the way I gotta tell you, I loved every minute of it.

I know what you're thinking and I assure you that I am not a glutton for punishment, but I don't think I've ever been as bad at anything in my life (and you should see me bowl) as I was at Vegas when I first set out to get my shoot on. The thing is…when I managed to succeed at something it left me with a feeling of accomplishment I've rarely felt while gaming. That takes a hell of a game. Come with me on my journey to enlightenment, I implore you…

Cover Girl. Or Boy.
So I've mentioned that this game is difficult, but let me explain why that shouldn't stop you. First of all, Ubisoft Montreal was not sparse with checkpoints. Should you get shot in the face by a trash-talking terrorist, chances are you won't have much traveling to do before you can tag that same terrorist in his face from a different angle. Also, you've got regenerating health, which means that if you're wounded you just have to walk it off for a minute to clear your head and you'll be good as new. Now, I've never been shot in the shoulder, but I'd bet $4.00 that if I was, it'd put me in shock. My vision would blur, my movements would be awkward and slow. The only difference between how I'd be and how our man Logan is might be that I probably wouldn't get over it in 30 seconds.

The best addition to help the needful has to be the cover system. Incredible. With the press of a button you can duck behind or press yourself against anything in your environment to dodge incoming fire. You're not a sitting duck at that point either, you've got options. You can line up the perfect shot before you expose yourself to take it, toss a grenade or blind fire around the corner or over a wall. To take it a step further you've got a snake cam that allows you to work out your strategy from the safe side of a closed door.

Plays Well With Others
The single player mode is enough to keep you satisfied all on its own--there's an actual plot here to unravel and some darned smart AI to help you along--but this game succeeds where most have failed by creating both an intense and engaging single player campaign and incredibly enjoyable multiplayer options. Planning out procedure isn't for me but I can carry out orders like nobody's business, which made the team multiplayer an obvious bonus in my case. You've got several multiplayer modes at your disposal and 10 maps capable of 16 players on Live. Be prepared to cooperate with your teammates, survival depends on it.

Graphically, your surroundings will amaze you. Las Vegas has been realized to its highest polygonal potential. The lights are as gaudy as they should be, the buildings are as decadent as their glass and steel counterparts and my-oh-my the explosions…they'll blow you away. (OMG LOL!) The score will force you to feel the urgency while you're hunting your prey, and keeps your heart rate up while you plan your attacks.

Over and Out
If you're looking for a run-and-gun shoot 'em up title, this ain't it. You won't get by with sheer dominance, but through determination and quick thinking you'll find a payoff that makes the trip worthwhile. Rainbow Six: Vegas is a must-have for shooter and strategy enthusiasts alike. Those of you who've never given the combination a chance ought to hit me up online. That way I can watch someone else get their ass handed to them for a change. Please?

- Saria