The first 10 minutes: Vegas 2 preview
2008-03-06 20:15:00 by BlimBlim
Ubisoft has been nice enough to send us a preview build of Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2, so I of course had to record a video as soon as possible. As you'll easily notice this type of games are about as far as possible from what I like to play so you'll have to survive with this video showing the very beginning of the first level, until someone who actually knows how to aim gets his hands on the game, hopefully tomorrow.
Update: As promised, here is the second part of the video, showing what happens right after the first one. And this time it's the rather brutal Bombstrike handling the pad.
Update 2: Third and last part online, showing the end of the level and the beginning of the next one, showing Last Vegas by day. Quite a change for the nightly version!
The first 10 minutes: Preview build (360)
Preview part 2 (360)
Preview: Part 3 (360)
Since 1490 Days
2008-03-06 21:25:53
I'm truly disappointed by this game in terms of graphics, AND in terms of gameplay mechanics as well. It seems to play similarly to all previous couple iterations of Rainbow Six prior to this one. That is to say it looks extremely linear and corridor-ish, with a hand leading the player down a predetermined path, rather than having open levels with complete buildings/environments that allow you to choose the point of entry and path of progression. To me, a special-ops genre game really calls for complete, mapped out environments, which require player tactics and volition to get through.
All these linear, closed-path single-player campaigns, with the same throw-away scripted level/game design that plague all games nowadays, like this and CoD4, are really snooze-fests to me, and miss the opportunity/potential to achieve some sort of greatness in gameplay mechanics. It looks like we'll all have to wait for SWAT5 to finally get a good SP game out of this category.
Since 1064 Days
2008-03-06 22:23:37
I'd buy this game for the multiplayer alone :D
definitely the best tactical shooter on the 360
Since 1088 Days
2008-03-06 22:31:39 In reply to GibsonTX (2008-03-06 22:23:37)
I didn't know Lance Bass visited Gamersyde!
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http://meat_parade.1up.com/
Since 451 Days
2008-03-07 00:46:01
looks lame
Since 532 Days
2008-03-07 01:37:45 In reply to statix (2008-03-06 21:25:53)
All these linear, closed-path single-player campaigns, with the same throw-away scripted level/game design that plague all games nowadays, like this and CoD4, are really snooze-fests to me, and miss the opportunity/potential to achieve some sort of greatness in gameplay mechanics. It looks like we'll all have to wait for SWAT5 to finally get a good SP game out of this category.
linear, scripted games still have their appeal since they have a far more story driven, exciting experience. and the FPS genre is one that works best with that method. the open nature of far cry and crysis is the reason i hate them so much. it feels like there is no narative, or that the "freedom" is forced since you have to go to specific points anyway to complete the objectives, its a fake sence of freedom to me.
Since 460 Days
2008-03-07 02:00:15 In reply to statix (2008-03-06 21:25:53)
Since 247 Days
2008-03-07 02:03:18
LOL at snake caming a door and getting to see a terrorist crouching motionless with a shield!! Why are all the terrorists either frozen to the spot or walking up and down on a fixed path? Lame, lazy and unrealistic.
Anyway, the multiplayer will be good fun.
Since 460 Days
2008-03-07 02:44:28 In reply to inzerillo (2008-03-07 02:03:18)
Since 1490 Days
2008-03-07 05:15:37 In reply to KORNdog (2008-03-07 01:37:45)
linear, scripted games still have their appeal since they have a far more story driven, exciting experience. and the FPS genre is one that works best with that method. the open nature of far cry and crysis is the reason i hate them so much. it feels like there is no narative, or that the "freedom" is forced since you have to go to specific points anyway to complete the objectives, its a fake sence of freedom to me.
I'm not totally against OCCASIONAL use of scripted sequences, because it helps to tell a story and to bring up the cinematic presentation up a notch. However, I don't need another 500 first-person shooters that hang their hats on the tired formula of: go from Room A to Room B, watch something happen, walk from Room B to Room C, watch another thing happen... It's been done too many times before, it requires no forethought or strategy on the part of the player, and it's simply no longer stimulating or entertaining to seasoned FPS gamers who are a bit more cerebral, and want a little more substance/sophistication in their shooters. What I advocate is occasional scripted sequences interspersed between levels and at certain chokepoints in the wide-open environment. It's not undoable to have scripted sequences in freeform levels, because you can have certain narrow pathways, hotspots, and chokepoints where the player must eventually traverse in order to progress.
If you don't think non-linear games can be "intense," then you haven't played SWAT 4, which does this special-ops genre type of game right. Complete buildings with back alleys and various upper/lower levels, and multiple entry points. You the player choose your own path throughout the course of the level, and you must be constantly on-guard and plan ahead map-wise, or else you'll get yourself, your teammates, or a hostage killed. It's a far more tense and involving and immersive game than some arcadey kid-crap like CoD4.
Far Cry 2 will be an incredible shooter, as will Fallout 3. I'm actually not a fan of Crysis only because its developers have questionable taste in terms of storytelling and presentation. MoH Airborne sucked because it was EA, not because it's an open-world game.
Since 1082 Days
2008-03-07 05:20:10
Seems very bland. The first one had interesting locations but this one just seems "bleh". The gameplay is solid though. I suppose the devs have a "if it ain't broke don't fix it" attitude. I'll get it eventually.
Since 1010 Days
2008-03-07 10:47:53 In reply to statix (2008-03-07 05:15:37)
To me, having nothing but linear paths and closed level structure is not only unoriginal and been-there-done-that, its simply too artificial in the sense that you're completely taken out of the illusion of a real-world environment when you're faced with nothing but constrictive invisible walls and fences that you for some reason can't jump over. When you're faced with all these invisible boundaries, it completely shatters the immersion and intensity of the situation by reminding you that you're in a videogame, thus, you can't go here because the programmers SAID you can't go here! Lame.
...
He can also
ban your ass!
Since 1128 Days
2008-03-07 10:56:06 In reply to statix (2008-03-07 05:15:37)
And you know.. sandbox games aren't really all that, "next gen" either. Lets face it, it's all been done before. I'm not going to claim that there isn't great potential for sandbox experiences, but Far Cry isn't exactly new (nor is SWAT).. and despite being far more linear, a game like Half Life is still just better.
Apples and oranges. This isn't a black and white issue at all. There are linear experiences and sandbox experiences outside of this genre. Should every third person game be a GTA clone? No.. I didn't think so.
Arcadey kid crap. Uh, no. I will agree with you on one point though: Rainbow sucks and it has for years. SWAT is where it's at.
Since 697 Days
2008-03-07 16:40:31
I just saw the videos..... OMG how can you ppl say it looks ugly?? It looks amazing, the lighting is spectacular and the shaders are perfect. And finally a game that doesnt have knife-sharp shadows that are pitch-black. Ever heard of something called light scattering? Global illumination?
Since 460 Days
2008-03-07 16:48:39 In reply to rezehnder (2008-03-07 10:47:53)
Since 1490 Days
2008-03-07 18:15:11 In reply to GriftGFX (2008-03-07 10:56:06)
And you know.. sandbox games aren't really all that, "next gen" either. Lets face it, it's all been done before. I'm not going to claim that there isn't great potential for sandbox experiences, but Far Cry isn't exactly new (nor is SWAT).. and despite being far more linear, a game like Half Life is still just better.
Apples and oranges. This isn't a black and white issue at all. There are linear experiences and sandbox experiences outside of this genre. Should every third person game be a GTA clone? No.. I didn't think so.
Arcadey kid crap. Uh, no. I will agree with you on one point though: Rainbow sucks and it has for years. SWAT is where it's at.
I'll grant you that sandbox-type level designs have been done before, and I'll agree that just because something is sandbox in nature doesn't MAKE or BREAK a game; however, in my opinion, it's always preferable to allow the player a little bit more freedom of movement and freedom of gameplay. Maybe not all the time or in every game (as you say, not every title is GTA), but I think a lot of your average scripted shooters nowadays could take a break from the formulaic scripted, predetermined pathways to give the player a breath of fresh air by opening up the environments on occasion. Again, not for every level or every instance of a game, but some variety couldn't hurt.
Since 1047 Days
2008-03-08 00:02:40
CoD4 SP is a mere taster of the fun I get out of MP, and as for this, have to say I'm looking forward to it, it'll certainly do as a nice diversion until GTA4 arrives!
Since 1338 Days
2008-03-10 16:43:56
one more question,
When I with my friend play MP in story mode, can I heal him when my friend get hurt?
In vegas 1 only can heal NPC...:(
thx~
Since 215 Days
2008-03-11 16:30:44
The PS3-version has been delayed by a week. The PC-version is also delayed and has been moved to mid april.
Since 217 Days
2008-03-14 14:00:19 In reply to Viginti_Tres (2008-03-05 21:20:28)
Video part #2 crashes Windows Media Player after 7:46.
Since 279 Days
2008-03-14 18:43:51
alot of people bitchin about it being the same exact game just a different name.
oh well no point in changing a good thing. i like every new feature they put in this game, just add new features and the hardcore fans will buy it. games like cod4 are just fads imo and the devs for that game seems to be backing it seeing as the next cod game goes back to ww2, games like this and counter strike are timeless and as far as shooting weapons go this game tops em, as far as consoles anyway.
Since 217 Days
2008-03-14 20:03:24 In reply to Oddy (2008-03-14 14:00:19)
Does anyone else have the problem with video #2 crashing Windows Media Player after 7:46?
He can also
ban your ass!
Since 1128 Days
2008-03-15 00:40:40 In reply to senators2904 (2008-03-14 18:43:51)
oh well no point in changing a good thing. i like every new feature they put in this game, just add new features and the hardcore fans will buy it. games like cod4 are just fads imo and the devs for that game seems to be backing it seeing as the next cod game goes back to ww2, games like this and counter strike are timeless and as far as shooting weapons go this game tops em, as far as consoles anyway.
This game won't even come close to topping Counter Strike, not even source, in terms of players or lifespan. In fact, in terms of life span, I'd bet paper monies on the fact that Call of Duty 4 will be played longer and far more seriously (especially in terms of league play) than any version of Vegas. So what's the fad?
The next big thing? Counter Strike 2 I'm guessing.
Since 209 Days
2008-03-17 02:37:33
Did the graphics get worse?
That's what it looks like.
No wonder Ubisoft keeps boasting about "better performance in the sequel!"