Okay, the single player mode just sucked. The gameplay was linear, enemy A.I. was predictable, and the visuals were just okay. The multiplayer mode really carried this game to superstardom. You could pick-and-choose some very cool and authentic weaponry to use while hunting for opponents in fun and well-designed urban environments. Fortunately, it was online play that saved Black Arrow's butt.
The long awaited follow-up proved to be just as exhilarating as the original. New weapons? Check. New equipment? Check. New visuals? Check. A whole laundry list of upgrades and additions to the already solid team-tactical gameplay met expectations plus more.
Sam who? Come on, the split jump? And can't the enemies see you when you have those three funky light fixtures shining on your fancy goggles? It's all semantics, however, as Splinter Cell was truly revolutionary when it was released. It showed everyone that there could be more than one successful stealth/action game on the market by bending the light/shadow effects to a brand new spectrum of realism. And how can you not like Michael Ironside voicing the main character?
What happens when you turn the close-quarter combat of Rainbow Six into a battle outdoors? You get perhaps still the best squad-based team-tactical first-person shooter that isn't afraid to admit it loves to hug trees. Like Rainbow Six, the linearity of the game made for a variety of possibilities on how to attack the enemy.
This game started it all. Strategize how you and your team enter a structure, clear each room, and rescue the hostages by preplanning paths for your squad. The true action lies in following through with your plans by going in a first-person view and blasting away the terrorist. Rainbow Six was as innovative and progressive as they got.
We count down some of the hottest games and gear in our annual Holiday Gift Guide! Brought to you by Nyko.
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