Rainbow Six 3

Ed Dawson sets terrorists on fire, and doesn't feel guilty.

Competition is becoming intense for the crown of best anti-terrorism shooter on the Xbox. What’s the difference between Rainbow Six 3, Splinter Cell, or Counter-Strike, you might well ask?

Rainbow Six 3 is a great all-rounder. It’s visually rich and is a solid single player game (unlike Counter-Strike). It also has a great multiplayer mode (unlike Splinter Cell for Xbox). but, it’s a very straightforward, twitchy combat game (unlike Ghost Recon). You’ve got simplified squad tactics and white phosphorous grenades which set people on fire.

In the game you’re the leader of a global anti-terrorism team which is cleaning up messy situations around the world. You’ll kick open doors, defuse bombs, tie up hostages and shoot everyone wearing the wrong facial expression.

You’re supported by a trio of counter-terrorist buddies, to whom you can give orders by looking at things and pressing A, or by speaking into your Xbox headset. This works surprisingly well. Saying, 'Open, flash and clear on Zulu' will cause the team to pause outside the door you’re looking at, waiting for the signal. You then find another door, setting up a crossfire into the same space. 'Zulu Go!' you bark into the headset. Your team answers via radio, opening the door a crack, tossing in a flashbang, then storming in. As they do this, you can simultaneously open fire on the terrorists from a different angle.

Overall, Rainbow Six 3 is a slick action game for Xbox. It’s well streamlined for the console environment, has a tasty looking engine, plus it’s great fun online. Recommended.