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Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas xbox360 Game Reviews
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas
Critic Score
Metascore: 89 Metascore out of 100
User Score  
8.5 out of 10
based on 68 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
based on 120 votes
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Rate this game

The stakes are high when the world's most elite counter-terrorism unit enters Las Vegas, where over 36.7 million men, women and children visit each year. "Sin City," the home of the famous Las Vegas Strip, flashy hotels, high-rolling casinos and world-famous celebrities, becomes the setting for a terrorist threat of global proportions. What happens when one of the world's most famous cities is held hostage by terrorists? [Ubisoft]

PUBLISHER: Ubisoft
DEVELOPER: Ubisoft Montreal
GENRE(S): Tactical Shooter
PLAYERS: 16
ESRB RATING: M (Mature)
RELEASE DATE: November 20, 2006

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100
GameSpy
The cover mechanics, the lethal firearms, the satisfaction of working with a smart team, plus maps that couldn't get done in time for the single-player game and some returning classics make multiplayer golden...I can't overstate how good the multiplayer is here.
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100
Yahoo! Games
The development team deserves special praise for once again for guns with a sense of heft and kick. The weapon models look great, and they're particularly impressive in action. With immersive effects for iron sights and muzzle flash, and with hearty Hollywood gunshot sounds, there's a powerful you-are-there feeling.
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100
AceGamez
It surpasses any other games in the genre (yes, even you, "GoldenEye"), utilises gameplay mechanics and an innovative multiplayer component that will likely become mandatory for any decent FPS games from here on in.
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100
Detroit Free Press
With compelling, deep game play and a gorgeous visual assault on your senses, Rainbow Six: Vegas is a safe bet for any Xbox 360 gamer.
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100
Gaming Age
An incredible game online or offline. My high expectations, and they were indeed high, were met and exceeded in what I can only term one of my most favorite Xbox games yet.
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96
Planet Xbox 360
Using the Vision Camera adds an element that has not been found in many games today and is definitely something that I have been looking forward to. Some good graphics and a complete sound system round out the beautiful title.
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96
Cheat Code Central
When you add up all of the modes including the various co-ops and the massive online multi-player mode that can accommodate 16 players, you’ve got a game that is worth every penny of the purchase price.
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95
Team Xbox
It's the game's multiplayer mode that will keep us playing Vegas for years to come. This isn't just the multiplayer game of the year, it may actually be the best multiplayer game in the whole Xbox 360 library.
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95
Game Informer
As a co-op experience and as a tactical shooter, Rainbow Six Vegas sets a new benchmark for the gaming industry.
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95
PGNx Media
The gameplay mechanics are refined to the point of perfection and the presentation is stellar.
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95
GamePro
Rainbow Six: Vegas's gorgeous graphics, professional presentation, well-executed cover mechanic, and highly customizable multiplayer make it one the best first-person shooters on the Xbox 360. Heck, why beat around the bush: it's got my vote for Game of the Year.
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95
GameZone
The shot in the arm that the series desperately needed, and stands as one of the premier shooters of this or any year.
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95
Da Gameboyz
The graphics are sharp, the sound is superb, the campaign is engaging and the online play is great and has lasting appeal.
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95
Electric Playground
Vegas has drool-inducing visuals, extremely good AI, and controls so intuitive and fitting that you’ll think the gang from Ubisoft Montreal came over to take your measurements before they sent you the game.
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94
Gamers' Temple
Fans of tactical shooters or those who enjoy some challenging and enjoyable gameplay should definitely take a trip to Vegas.
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94
Gaming Target
The top shooter on the 360. It tops Gears of War in most multiplayer areas. You may enjoy the faster pace, futuristic weapons and setting of Gears of War more but for my money, ‘Vegas’ offers a more satisfying experience and infinitely better designed maps.
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93
Game Chronicles
It has a solid and compelling single-player mode that only gets better when you play it cooperatively, and with a huge fan base, numerous multiplayer maps and games modes, and perfectly balanced gameplay for teams and individuals, and even a Spectator mode, what happens in Vegas is now open for all the world to see.
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93
Game Over Online
Rainbow Six Vegas represents a return to glory for the franchise, with a renewed emphasis on tactics, a brilliant cover system, new high-tech gadgets, challenging missions and a multiplayer component that’ll keep you coming back for more.
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93
IC-Games
The Co-op play, the online multiplayer and everything associated with the single player campaign is more than worth the asking price.
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93
IGN
The sprawling levels like the glowing Fremont Street or the Hoover Dam open up Rainbow like it's never been before, and the result is a balanced shooter that is as much close-quarter combat as long-range head shots...The best first-person shooter on the Xbox 360.
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93
Kombo
The addition of an elegant new over system has completely changed the face of tactical combat, while the streamlined squad-mechanics are accessible enough to bring in new players, while still providing more than enough depth to allow veterans to dominate the battlefield.
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92
Gamer 2.0
It delivers some of the most thrilling, realistic gunfights in any shooter, and sports impressive visuals and above-average online multiplayer—all of which make it into one of the must-own titles for your Xbox 360 this year.
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91
GameShark
There are very few games that are this nerve-wracking and playing this game is akin to watching your favorite action-suspense-thriller TV show or movie and I say that as a compliment.
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91
Xbox World Australia
There are enough tactical nuances to satisfy detail freaks (I'm certain my gun actually locked up on me on occasion – a realistic feature put in there by Mr. Clancy?) but it's also accessible enough that regular Joes will enjoy the campaign.
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91
ActionTrip
From the great single player campaign the wide variety of multiplayer options, you should find every dollar you spend on this game well worth it, and then some. This is the best Rainbow Six game ever made.
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91
Digital Entertainment News
The most intriguing feature of the Rainbow Six: Vegas online experience is the Persistent Elite Creation: the player’s avatar in the online Rainbow Six universe.
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91
GameSpot
Rainbow Six is reinvented and reinvigorated for a new age thanks to beautiful visuals and top-notch tactical shooting action.
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91
Worth Playing
If you love online multiplayer and FPS without the slobbering monsters, then Rainbow Six: Vegas is a must-buy. It is an exceptionally well-made title from combat engine to graphics, and even the weak offline single-player is excusable in light of the stellar co-op options online.
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91
GameTrailers
With its increased emphasis on the single-player campaign, and a phenomenal multiplayer pedigree, this is one of those games that has the potential to give you your money’s worth and then some.
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91
Jolt Online Gaming UK
For many, Rainbow Six will have finally reached the giddy heights of classic-status gaming, with Vegas retaining the series’ tactical edge but opening it up to a wider and more accepting audience. Ubisoft has taken a gamble, but ultimately it has paid off.
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90
Gamestyle
Rainbow Six: Vegas is almost perfect and easily the best iteration in the series. The compelling co-op play, the online multiplayer and everything associated with the single player campaign is completely worth the asking price.
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90
ZTGameDomain
The best part about the engine is that unlike Ghost Recon, which toned down the graphics in multiplayer, this game does not. You get the same beautiful graphics in multiplayer as you do in single player.
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90
games(TM)
Rainbow Six Vegas is a breathtaking return to form after questions over Ubisoft's commitment to the series were raised after Lockdown's release last year. [Christmas 2006, p.124]
90
X360 Magazine UK
A considerable leap forward in enemy AI, regardless of concerns some might have about tactical depth and how see-through it occasionally is. A more tense experience on 360 there ain't. [Issue 14, p.76]
90
MS Xbox World
Atmosphere is great and engaging, gun battles are furious and highly cinematic at times and of course the whole squad element has been tweaked a little to be just that bit more intuitive for console owners.
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90
XboxAddict
Vegas is easily recommendable to those looking for online play, but not so much for simply the single player experience.
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90
Console Gameworld
Multiplayer aside, this title is an outstanding display of next-gen gaming, and is easily the best Rainbow Six yet.
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90
Games Radar
Graphics, gameplay, atmosphere, all-important multiplayer... Rainbow Six Vegas gets pretty much everything right. It even shines on the little details, like wind whistling through a freshly shattered window or jackpot coins spilling out over a freshly bagged terrorist.
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90
GamingExcellence
RSV has brought the bar way up higher than a Bob Marley Concert, and it’s going to be a doozy of a task to top with the next one, not mentioning the competition.
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90
DailyGame
The story is compelling, the additional gameplay mechanics and improved AI are great, and Attack and Defend mode is certainly something to be proud. But most importantly to gamers: Rainbow Six Vegas is pure fun.
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90
Gaming Nexus
Although this is the third Tom Clancy game on the Xbox 360 this year, Rainbow Six Vegas proves to be the best. This is easily one of the best games of the year, a title full of action, unique locations and plenty of terrorists to kill.
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90
Thunderbolt
While Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas isn’t the most novice-friendly game, once you get past the steep learning curve, you’ll discover one of the finest action games currently available. With sublime gameplay, smart A.I., slick presentation and a fully featured online mode to keep you playing, it’s hard to pass up.
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90
VideoGamer
The number of options you have to tackle each situation makes for some great unscripted moments, and the visuals and sound help create an atmosphere that wouldn't be possible on older hardware.
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90
Deeko
Ubisoft has once again managed some 360 magic: Vegas is a fantastic game that gives Live it's most expansive online multiplayer a shooter has yet seen.
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90
Boomtown
A gripping, and challenging, single player mode should eat up a good ten to twelve hours, and the wealth of multiplayer options should keep you going for a lot longer.
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90
PALGN
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas returns the series to form with one of the most innovative, fresh, intense and enjoyable experiences that you can have with a console shooter.
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88
Game Almighty
Ubisoft has corrected past mistakes, much too their credit, and have delivered one of the strongest Rainbow Six games yet.
Read Full Review
87
Talk Xbox
Its competent story-mode, coupled with a variety of multi-player modes available online or off, Rainbow Six: Vegas is certainly a solid title, and one not to be missed by any fan of shooters.
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86
My Gamer
With a compelling offline story, fun co-op, and an addictive online multiplayer, it would be hard not to like this game.
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85
Gamers Europe
Perseverance is the key, but a lot of people might walk away from it before they master the more demanding elements. This is a shame, as there's a cracking think-first-shoot-later game waiting to be discovered, but the (sometimes overly) cerebral nature of things coupled with that crushing toughness will doubtless be too much for some.
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85
Gamer's Hell
The graphics hit the jackpot, the new cover mechanic is implemented fantastically well, and the setting provides a lot of color and tactical opportunities.
Read Full Review
85
Armchair Empire
The multiplayer portion of the game is practically a game unto itself. Most matches quickly develop into fragfests – gone is any semblance of tactical approach.
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85
Play Magazine
Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Vegas is one of the few games I’ve played in which the squad-based gameplay works the way you’d imagine—more engrossing enhancement to the experience than a mechanical dead weight I’ve come to expect.
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85
Games Master UK
A fantastic and accessible shooter, with a massive and long-lasting multi-player. [Christmas 2006, p.91]
85
Official Xbox Magazine
The 360 sure has a wealth of terrific shooters, and while Vegas isn't the very best of the bunch, it's elite enough to deserve your trigger time. [Holiday 2006, 68]
85
1UP
Periods of sneaking around are rewarded with spectacular firefights, and every so often there's a huge set piece that really shows off how great the Unreal 3 engine is for big, open battles.
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84
Pelit (Finland)
A flashy mix of Lockdown and Advanced Warfighter in a great looking setting. The shootouts feel real and commanding the team works well, but the levels are very linear and sometimes the amount of enemies seems a bit overkill. More variety would have been nice, too. Vegas has other things besides casinos, you know. [Dec 2006]
83
Game Revolution
What is remarkable is that, even despite these drawbacks, the steep learning curve, accurate controls, and heated tactical challenge make Vegas’ online game the most complete for the 360 so far.
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82
Ferrago
The controls are simple, the graphics pretty, and the game fluffy enough to forgive its essential repetitiveness.
Read Full Review
80
Extreme Gamer
Rainbow Six Vegas might not be the crown jewel of the series, but it's still one of the year's best shooters.
Read Full Review
80
Electronic Gaming Monthly
Words of warning: You need to give squad-based shooter Vegas some time to grow on you, particularly in the fairly short single-player campaign. [Jan. 2007, p.100]
80
Xboxic
Although you know the game isn’t adding much to the genre, the things it does differently are excellent, such as the stacking up on a door, with the ability to tag enemies and watch as they get taken out in excellent style.
Read Full Review
80
GameDaily
It takes a while to get started, and the story has some faults, but the game packs wall-to-wall action, realistic tactical maneuvers and a superb presentation that even outshines "Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter."
Read Full Review
80
EuroGamer
To really catapult it into the very highest bracket, Ubisoft still needs to work on a more compelling premise and improve on some of the production values, but otherwise Vegas represents one of the best shooters on the market and deserves to succeed.
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80
Official Xbox Magazine UK
While the 'tough as nails' shoot-outs won’t see this on everyone’s must buy list, Ubisoft's run of creating stunning showcases for the Xbox 360 remains unbroken.
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80
360 Gamer Magazine UK
Due to the easy-to-use squad control, advanced A.I., gorgeous visuals, realistic physics, and intense action, Rainbow Six Vegas is easily the best in the series. While the game has been slightly simplified - and is not a massive next-gen leap forward - the result is a fantastic, intense experience that few others can rival. [Issue 18, p.62]
80
Total Video Games
The intuitive covering and tagging system working brilliantly, setting up an immediate sense of immersion greater than any previous instalment in the series.
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60
Edge Magazine
A good all-round introduction to the tactical FPS. Glitzy and attractive, but ultimately a little empty, there’s also no doubt that it lives up to its name. [Christmas 2006, p.79]

What Our Users Said

Vote Now! The average user rating for this game is 8.5 (out of 10) based on 120 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Matt N. gave it a10:
This game is brilliant!! Personally i don't like the single player but when playing multiplayer with mates it is possibly the best game i have ever played. The take cover option means that you have to practise a lot. When you play it for the first time you get hammered, but when you get better and go to a better rank (i am captain At the minute,) you will think it is amazing!!

Trevor B. gave it a10:
This is an excellent title and a "must" for any fan of console shooters. The story is great, the game play is top notch, and the environment/setting couldn't be better.

Jason L. gave it a9:
I actually give this game an 8.5 and it is for one reason only that this game doesn't get a 9.5 or a 10. That reason is that this is the worst community I have ever had for a game. Trying to find a decent room is like pulling teeth. First off the servers don't really update, if you hit refresh and then you go into a room that says lobby the game will have already started and be 3 minutes in and then you just have to wait for the round to be over or try again. Sometimes when you get in a room and wait for the round to be over the host ends the game and once again you are back to square one. You have people that don't know how to host (they don't know how many people they can hold in their room), or the host just boots you for no reason, no explanation or anything. And then of course there are the in game problems like the host booting people off your team if they are playing well and crap like that. I have had a host actually wait till his team was in the lead, boot everyone on his team but himself and then just hide for the rest of the round to max out on points. I had one game where my team was playing against a clan and they were killing each other in front of doors so that we could not open those doors becuase the body was in the way (blocking all routes so we only had one way to go) and once they saw that we had pushed them back into their spawn the clan host booted everyone on our team. I mean the game is great and if you have friends that play it by all means pick this game up and even if you don't the campaign co-op and multiplayer make this almost a must have but don't be suprised if trying to play online frustrates you.

Paxton C. gave it a10:
This game rules. Probably the best tactical shooter to date. The very slow rate at which you rank up in multiplayer can be discouraging, but the character customization makes it all worth it. That, combined with the T-hunt mode and epic campaign make this game one step up from a must-have.

Ben H. gave it a9:
9!! Very close to perfect! Everything is good. I love commanding my guys to breach doors, flash rooms, etc They can be incompetent sometimes, but over all the game is realistic and you can easily get into it. 3rd person views are kinda dumb are hurt the overall "realism", and the 2 player should just be the whole campaign, but other than that it's awesome! I'm all about the tactical shooters and this one IS!

Tero U. gave it a10:
Almost perfect shooting game with brilliant duck&cover -system.

Tero U. gave it a10:
Almost perfect shooting game with brilliant duck&cover -system.

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