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Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six® Vegas

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six® Vegas Game Cover
77%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
optimization, stability
78% User Score Based on 967 reviews
Critic Score 74%Based on 3 reviews

Platforms

Playstation 3Xbox 360PCEpic GamesXboxWindowsPlayStationPSP
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six® Vegas Game Cover

About

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six® Vegas is a single player and multiplayer tactical shooter game with a warfare theme. It was developed by Ubisoft Montreal and was released on April 9, 2008. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

In Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six® Vegas, players lead a team of elite operatives in a battle against terrorists in Las Vegas. The game features tactical squad-based shooting, where strategy and teamwork are crucial for success. With a variety of weapons, customizable characters, and a thrilling storyline, Rainbow Six Vegas offers an immersive and challenging gaming experience.

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78%
Audience ScoreBased on 967 reviews
story69 positive mentions
optimization8 negative mentions

  • Engaging tactical gameplay with a variety of weapons and customization options.
  • Strong nostalgic value for fans of the series, with memorable settings and scenarios.
  • Challenging difficulty that encourages strategic planning and teamwork.
  • Poor AI behavior for both teammates and enemies, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.
  • Inconsistent checkpoint system that can result in repetitive gameplay after dying.
  • Outdated graphics and controls that may not hold up well to modern standards.
  • story
    250 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "Rainbow Six: Vegas" is generally viewed as mediocre, with many players finding it straightforward and lacking depth. While some appreciate the context it provides for the gameplay and the memorable missions, particularly in iconic locations, others criticize it for being generic, poorly written, and ultimately unsatisfying, especially with an abrupt ending that leads into a sequel. Overall, the narrative serves more as a backdrop for the tactical gameplay rather than a compelling experience on its own.

    • “The narrative puts you in the shoes of Bishop, a rookie member of the elite Rainbow counter-terrorism unit, tasked with thwarting a terrorist plot threatening the neon-lit casinos and crowded streets of Vegas.”
    • “The story is straightforward but effective, providing context and tension without bogging down gameplay.”
    • “The story is wonderful, very compelling and intriguing - very Tom Clancy-ish.”
    • “The story is not very interesting and I could not follow it completely, but it is not very complicated.”
    • “The story is lackluster and uninviting, but that's minuscule when a game has such a good grip on how to properly gauge the player.”
    • “The story is very rudimentary, dull, and it has one of the worst endings I’ve seen put in a video game.”
  • gameplay
    206 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Rainbow Six: Vegas" is characterized by its tactical shooter mechanics, blending squad-based combat with a cover system that was innovative for its time. While the game offers intense and engaging combat scenarios, players note that it can feel clunky and repetitive, with some mechanics feeling outdated compared to modern standards. Despite its flaws, the gameplay remains enjoyable, particularly for those who appreciate tactical approaches and cooperative play, though it may not fully satisfy fans of the series' earlier, more strategic titles.

    • “The gameplay has to be the best and the key moment of this game due to different ways to take down areas and enemies.”
    • “Rainbow Six: Vegas represents a pinnacle in the evolution of Rainbow Six gameplay at the time, delivering an outstanding tactical shooter experience that remains timeless.”
    • “Great for its unique gameplay, involving managing tactics for a small team and a great cover system.”
    • “The game has always been plagued by Ubisoft's incompetence in regards to bugs that were never addressed as well as god awful game mechanics.”
    • “Gameplay gets pretty repetitive and boring, not nearly as tactical as advertised because it's not really all that open world and relies too much on the cover shoot mechanic popular back then, so closed indoor levels (pretty much most of the game) end up feeling pretty linear.”
    • “The only tactic I found that worked with the mechanics implemented in the game is continuously pulling feints and flanks on the AI which seems to be continually distracted.”
  • graphics
    122 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are widely regarded as dated, reflecting its 2006 release, with many players noting that they do not hold up well against modern standards. While some appreciate the visuals for their time and find them decent, others criticize the blurry textures and lack of graphical options. Overall, the consensus suggests that while the graphics may not impress today, they were once considered impressive and still retain some charm amidst the gameplay experience.

    • “For an 18-year-old game, the graphics are top-notch, and I would definitely recommend it for a quick fun adventure as a tactical shooter.”
    • “The game's graphics were impressive for its time, featuring detailed environments and realistic lighting effects that brought the most unique location and level design.”
    • “Great graphics that still hold up today, awesome tactical gameplay (I recommend you play on realistic).”
    • “The graphics are a bit dated, but the gameplay is intense, and once the basics have been learned, it's a blast.”
    • “The graphics haven’t aged very well either.”
    • “The graphics are not the best even for 2006, and strikingly bad when you're in a helicopter over Vegas.”
  • music
    25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the soundtrack for enhancing the atmosphere and tension during combat, while others find it underwhelming or repetitive. Some highlight the effective use of music to indicate enemy presence, contributing to the overall immersion, though a few critics note that it lacks the quality expected from a title in its genre. Overall, while the soundtrack is generally considered solid, it may not stand out as exceptional compared to other games.

    • “The campaign feels very long, lots of variety, awesome music, great locations, and memorable experiences.”
    • “The soundtrack helps the dynamic by tensing up whenever you’re in the middle of a heavy shootout and will subtly keep playing in the background as you scout ahead to the next set-piece; it’s great and fits the atmosphere.”
    • “The music is very good and fits the situations very well.”
    • “The music is surprisingly bad for a Rainbow Six game, and parts of it sound like it was copied from Rich Ragsdale's work (I didn't see his name in the credits).”
    • “The music is fairly minimal and does not really add to things the way it does in Spec Ops: The Line, for example.”
    • “Music also isn't hot, being urgent but not very awesome.”
  • optimization
    23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, particularly on modern hardware. While some users experience smooth gameplay even on lower-end systems, others face frustrating drops in frame rates, crashes, and a lack of graphical options. Overall, the consensus indicates that the game is poorly optimized, especially for PC, leading to a less enjoyable experience for many players.

    • “The graphics are to be expected for the time, the performance is incredible - my mid-tier rig can get 300fps.”
    • “The game runs smoothly even on a potato PC and has good replayability.”
    • “In terms of performance, modern systems handle the game seamlessly.”
    • “I can run far more advanced games on my PC with no problem; this is just not optimized at all.”
    • “Be aware that the game is absolutely not optimized for modern hardware.”
    • “Even on modern systems, the optimization is poor, leading to performance problems that are frustrating when you’re trying to focus on tactical decision-making and combat.”
  • replayability
    17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Replayability in the game is mixed; while multiplayer maps and modes offer significant replay value, the single-player experience is often criticized for its linearity, limiting replay potential unless played with friends. However, modes like Terrorist Hunt and the variety of approaches to objectives provide enjoyable replay opportunities, especially in co-op play, with some players finding the AI challenging and engaging enough to warrant multiple playthroughs. Overall, the game has decent replay value, particularly for those who appreciate cooperative gameplay and varied strategies.

    • “The variety of multiplayer maps and modes ensures plenty of replay value.”
    • “It's got some good replay value because there are multiple ways you can take your objective, one time breaching explosively through the door, and the next time coming down through the windows on the side of the building.”
    • “The AI is definitely the strong point of the game, whether in story mode or terrorist hunt; they present a challenge since they never do the same thing twice, which adds significant replayability.”
    • “Lack of replayability unless you have a friend; this is kind of a one-and-done experience. Go play Vegas 2; it's better anyways.”
    • “I had fun with the singleplayer, but because of the rather linear nature, there is not too much replay value here.”
    • “There are multiple factors for this: the game is largely a tier-shooter similar to Call of Duty mixed in with Gears of War cover mechanics, insanely high body count, and short length without any replay value.”
  • stability
    16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting frequent glitches, bugs, and occasional crashes that disrupt gameplay. While some users experienced minor graphical issues and freezing, others noted that the game runs well overall, especially on lower settings. Despite its age, the game remains playable, but players may need to seek fixes or mods to enhance stability.

    • “Even though the game is approaching fifteen years old, it looks amazing, runs great, and has a great story!”
    • “This game has so many bugs and glitches, which were so frustrating.”
    • “Especially with all the glitches and periodic crashes.”
    • “Buggy mess on Windows 10.”
  • monetization
    13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's monetization strategy is largely criticized for its heavy reliance on advertisements, particularly for Axe body spray, which detracts from the overall experience. Players appreciate the absence of a battle pass and microtransactions, but the pervasive ads and clunky gameplay mechanics create a frustrating environment. While some enjoy the chaotic setting and cooperative options, many feel the game leans too heavily into a cash grab mentality, overshadowing its potential fun.

    • “This game is so much fun; in the first mission, all the guns are unlocked, and there are no battle passes or annoying microtransactions.”
    • “It had a shorter dulled storyline of 'what was happening off the strip' that didn't keep me playing; I wanted to play a game in Vegas, not a side quest cash grab.”
    • “I can assume that even this game could have fans - those who like to overcome the complexities of clumsy game design, those who were bitten by the aggressive advertisement at the time of release, and, most notably, those who liked cooperative game options.”
    • “Also, the game is littered with advertisements for Axe body spray.”
  • humor
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is described as a mix of absurdity and charm, with players finding amusement in both character interactions and gameplay quirks, such as bobblehead-like character models and funny dialogue. While some aspects of the story are criticized as moronic, the overall experience is enhanced by humorous elements, including weapon choices and AI failings, making for a fun and entertaining atmosphere.

    • “The character models still hold up after almost 18 years, but you can tell the game was made for 30 fps because at uncapped, the heads of the characters vibrate like bobbleheads, which is both hilarious and annoying when in cover.”
    • “And it's absolutely hilarious and terrifying at the same time, caw caw!”
    • “It's always a mixture of extreme self-confidence, humor, and then the failings of the AI as you kill yet another one of their buddies who runs out from cover.”
  • grinding
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious and shallow, particularly in realistic modes where it feels like a chore rather than an engaging experience. The low time to kill exacerbates this issue, making players feel punished by prolonged waiting periods, which detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.

    • “I am playing on realistic, so that is definitely a factor, but when I think about what it would take to finish the game, it just sounds tedious and shallow.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “This is always my least favorite part of third-person shooters, as punishment by being forced to wait to play the actual game again is always tedious, and it happens even more in this game due to the low time to kill.”
  • atmosphere
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is enhanced by its engaging combat and effective cover mechanics, creating a standout experience in the FPS genre. The dynamic soundtrack intensifies during combat and subtly supports exploration, contributing to a captivating and immersive environment. Additionally, the presence of resilient and useful companions further enriches the overall atmosphere, setting it apart from other titles.

    • “The soundtrack helps the dynamic by tensing up whenever you’re in the middle of a heavy shootout and will subtly keep playing in the background as you scout ahead to the next set-piece; it’s great and fits the atmosphere.”
    • “Its cover mechanics, engaging combat, and atmospheric setting helped it stand out in a crowded FPS market.”
    • “The soundtrack is alright, giving a tense atmosphere every time you get into combat.”
    • “The developers mixed the game's atmosphere with a captivating and, at times, intense score, enhancing the immersion.”
    • “Unlike some games where the comrades who accompany you are irrelevant beyond atmosphere, these characters are pretty resilient and useful.”
  • character development
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviews indicate that the game suffers from a lack of meaningful character development, with many players feeling that the story is forgettable and fails to capitalize on opportunities for deeper character exploration, despite its unique designs and gameplay options.

    • “The character designs were unique, and many games today still miss these playable options.”
    • “The story and the online game mods contributed significantly to the overall character development experience.”
    • “The story is truly forgettable, and they missed a lot of opportunities for character development in how long this 8-hour campaign was stretched out.”
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7h Median play time
42h Average play time
8h Main story
32h Completionist
5-113h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six® Vegas is a tactical shooter game with warfare theme.

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six® Vegas is available on PC, Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and others.

The main story can be completed in around 8 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 32 hours to finish. On average players spend around 42 hours playing Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six® Vegas.

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six® Vegas was released on April 9, 2008.

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six® Vegas was developed by Ubisoft Montreal.

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six® Vegas has received mostly positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its optimization.

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six® Vegas is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six® Vegas 2, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six® 3 Gold, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Lockdown™, Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon, Medal of Honor: Airborne and others.