The central tactical mechanics are the key, here, and paying attention to various ancillary characters and plot twists is certainly not required. The main problem is that the narrative is somewhat convoluted, but frankly it is also completely peripheral to enjoyment of the game. Rather, Vegas 2 almost serves as a companion piece, with its events occurring before, during, and after those of the first game. The original Rainbow Six Vegas ended rather abruptly, so certainly the expectation would be that this title would continue those events directly. The two computer-controlled allies always stick together, meaning that if you find a room that has three points of entry, you can only infiltrate from two. Although controlling your squadmates is relatively straightforward, it is somewhat limiting that you can’t split the team any way you like. The gameplay tweaks are minor, but again, given how polished the tactical gameplay already was in the original, this is completely understandable. That occurs less often this time around, with much of the game taking place in drab warehouse and industrial areas. Certainly, much of the charm of the original had to do with working your way through a casino floor, hearing the chimes and clinks of the slot machines, bathed in neon light.

Rainbow Six Vegas 2 offers very similar gameplay to its predecessor, though the environments are noticeably less glitzy through large portions.

While the planning and approach to enter a room may take minutes, the successful clearing can take less than a second, and the sense of accomplishment when this occurs is unique.

There is a certain thrill to quietly scouting a location from multiple angles, tagging enemies, and orchestrating a split second strike with your squadmates. But it is the strategic planning portions of the Rainbow Six Vegas games that stand out. There is quite a lot of action, and certainly there are cover and fire mechanics similar to those found in Gears of War and Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune. Although it’s not entirely accurate to classify games in the Rainbow Six franchise as first-person shooters, such a description is certainly more appropriate than for games like Metroid Prime and Bioshock.

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