Rainbow Six Vegas 2 - multiplayer hands-on

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First impressions - and video - of the new maps and modes

The sequel, arriving March 18, retains the same gameplay and should appeal to the same audience. During our hands-on time, we still spent more time creeping silently through hallways, peeking around corners and pressing ourselves against walls for cover than we did actually shooting anyone. One moment of exposure - and one bullet from a patient enemy - still killed us more often than did open warfare. And endlessly customizing our armor, weaponry and appearance was still almost as addictive as the matches themselves. If you're one of the folks still playing Rainbow Six Vegas' multiplayer, you're still probably gonna love everything in this new package.

Next was Team Leader, an interesting take on the familiar VIP mode. Each team has a leader and, as long as that leader is breathing, the team has infinite respawns. Once the team leader is assassinated, his followers become mortal and will die permanently. So why doesn't the leader just find a closet and hide? Because he can kill enemies permanently throughout the match, which can give his team an enormous advantage. And do you risk approaching a leader, knowing that a single shot could effectively win the match... but also knowing that he or she could end your match immediately?

Since the second map was a suburban home, we dealt with many of these dilemmas while crouching under a kitchen counter or reloading behind a potted plant. Surprisingly, the dull realism and non-exoticism of Rainbow Six Vegas 2's maps are what make them so memorable. Alien worlds are fun escapism, but dying somewhere you recognize is scarier. See the second map and match below.

Charlie Barratt
Charlie Barratt
I enjoy sunshine, the company of kittens and turning frowns upside down. I am also a fan of sarcasm. Let's be friends!