It may retain the Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six® 3 moniker, but if Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six® 3 Black Arrow™ is a mere expansion in Ubisoft’s eyes, I would love to know what awaits us in the true sequel. All major facets and features have been tweaked to an uncalibrated measure of perfection, even for the already acclaimedRainbow Six series. Dissecting each feature individually would allow you to see the true measure of the update. From the richer graphics and updated (and far deadlier) enemy A.I. to the sublimely assembled level design, added game modes (Lone Rush, baby!), and new Xbox Live™ features, Black Arrowis a game worthy to stand on its own.
Looking sharp.
A Quick Word on Purpose For those not already in the know, the Rainbow Six series is a tactical first-person shooter (FPS). This holds true in both the offline and online experience. Of course, the difference is the Campaign mode offers the ability to command your own elite Rainbow team of counter-terrorist operatives, while the online experience lets you work with real people (or in some cases by your lonesome).
In the Campaign mode, you play as Ding Chavez (made famous in several Tom Clancy books), a Team Rainbow leader commanding three other squad members. During each mission, you’ll equip your team with the weapons and tools of your choice and use an intuitive command menu to issue orders. You can tell your squad members to regroup, set off flashbangs, throw frag grenades, breach, move to a specific spot … You get the idea.
Hey, I’ve played that game!
What makes this experience even more remarkable is that Ubisoft’s Montreal studio has equipped these gentlemen with brains. They are not lubber-like morons, who trot about ignoring imminent danger. These guys follow tight formations; call out tangos (enemies) they see, let you know if the enemy is down, let you know when they’re getting shot at, signal if a room is clear, and more. You’ll feel like you’re actually in command of a group of trained soldiers.
A Lone Rush For every campaign mission you successfully complete, you unlock the Lone Rush version of that mission. In many ways, the Lone Rush missions contradict the game's tactical roots because they're all about speed and twitch recognition. You’re dropped at the insurgent location and asked to blast through the level before a timer runs out. For every terrorist you put down, you gain an extra five seconds on the clock. It’s an FPS time-attack mode, it’s addicting as all get out, and it makes for an excellent change of pace from the more strategy-heavy modes. It’s also entirely exclusive to Black Arrow.
Teaming up on the same box.
The Return of Split-Screen With the advent of Xbox Live and System Link, the era of split-screen action has begun to slowly die. Luckily, Ubisoft recognizes what many don’t: Just because System Link is an option doesn’t mean I have another Xbox® and TV lying around. And, sometimes the friend you want to play with is, you know, actually at your house! Split-screen co-operative mode is therefore making a welcome appearance in Black Arrow. You can once again kick back with your buddy on the couch with a couple frosty beverages and a great game.
All Your Old Favorites Of course, all the options from the original Rainbow Six 3make appearances as well. You’ll still be able to go through different training modes to sharpen or familiarize yourself with the controls and tactics of the game. You’ll still be able to set up your own profile, so that your friend, little brother, or grandma doesn’t mess with your settings and Campaign mode status. And, you can also set up custom missions on maps you’ve completed in the Campaign mode.
