By now, tactical squad-based shooters aren't anything new. Every console, even the GBA, has at least one and they are quickly becoming a hot commodity in the industry. The Rainbow Six series is the grand-daddy of them all and has played a key role in the genre's popularity. Rainbow Six 3 is a port of the Xbox version of the same game, which in itself was a port of the PC version. As with subsequent ports, the PS2 version has lost something in translation. The game still features online play, realistic weapons and intense squad-based play, but also suffers from lackluster graphics (and long load times that don't quite match up to them) and sub par AI.

Rainbow Six 3 really shows some of the PS2's age and graphical limitations. The game doesn't look all that bad, it just doesn't look as good as it does on the other systems. The texture work is very muddy and the overall resolution is pretty low. This causes some gameplay problems since enemies can be hard to see from a distance. In addition, much of the neat eye-candy from the PC and Xbox versions, such as blood splatters on the wall and clothing, didn't make it into the game. Lighting and shadow effects have also received the shaft. Enemies are also low on details but at least they animate well. The game is also plagued by long load times and a framerate that never seems to run at fast enough speeds.

Sound is a high point of the game, or at least the realistic weapons effects are. The rest of the package is about as impressive as the graphics. There's no music in the game except for the title screen and a whiney guitar track after a team member dies. The rest of the sound effects are just plain annoying -- such as the constantly thumping heartbeat sound when you're injured.

Based on the Tom Clancy book series of the same name, Rainbow Six is an elite counterterrorist unit. Their primary duty is to clean up the bigger messes in political hotspots around the world. Rainbow Six 3 follows along the same lines as its predecessors. Although it plays like a first-person shooter, the entire game is steeped in realism. You can't run around and take clips full of ammo before dying. Instead, one or two shots can kill you, which means you'll have to rely on quick thinking, teamwork and a quick trigger finger to get the job done. Unlike other shooters, you're limited in your firepower -- really limited. You can't pick up weapons dropped by downed tangos (enemies), so you'll have to plan out which weapons you bring with you on a mission beforehand. You also have access to thermal and night vision goggles and an on-screen map.

Rainbow Six 3 features an extensive variety of play modes. The core mode is the Campaign Mode. Here you play as Domingo 'Ding' Chavez through a linear, single-player campaign. The story is well done and is pure Tom Clancy, featuring South American terrorists and more political intrigue than a Congressional barbeque. With your team of Rainbow Six operatives, you'll travel all over the world and storm diverse settings ranging from run-down villages, to a mansion and even an airport. Missions range from extraction, to hostage rescue and even a bomb scare. A 'custom mission' option is also offered that allows you to go back to any previously played mission and take on randomly spawned enemies.

Since the original pretty much spawned the team-based multiplayer genre, you would expect to find a number of multiplayer options in the game. Rainbow Six 3 features both online and offline modes via the Network adapter and Two-Player split screen. When compared to the Xbox version, the Online mode leaves much to be desired. Like other elements in the game, online options have been stripped down and gutted. Online games only support 6 players (the Xbox has 16) and there are only 3 play modes (Xbox has 5). One of the biggest losses is the option of online co-op play; a move that just doesn't feel right at all. Instead we're left with 3 variations of deathmatches, two of which are the same thing, only in solo and team flavors. This takes away from the entire Rainbow Six experience and turns the game into little more than a realistic Unreal Tournament.

Rainbow Six 3 is a tough nut to crack. Again, taking a departure from other versions of the game, there is no manual-save ability in the game. Instead, auto-saves are offered at checkpoints, which are spread out and hard to get to. This leads to a lot of trial-and-error gameplay moments. While a manual save wouldn't have alleviated this, it certainly would have made things a little more bearable.

What really tends to stick out about the entire Rainbow Six 3 experience is the AI, which isn't all that great. Though it has its moments, both your teammates and tangos are inclined to act like idiots. Fans for the original SOCOM will surely remember our good friend Boomer, who was voted most likely to be shot by his own men. Imagine a squad of Boomers at your side and you have a good idea of Rainbow Six 3 in its duller moments.

Rainbow Six 3 sports an very impressive and easy to use context-based command system. The primary button in this system, which gives you control of three teammates, is the X button. Look at an object, press X and your squad will do what comes natural. For example, holding X while looking at a door will order your team to breach it. You can also program 'Zulu-Go Codes' into the shoulder buttons which allow you to call up certain orders at certain times. Pressing Square will order your troops to form up behind you or hold position. As if that wasn't easy enough, the game also supports the USB headset. While not as impressive as the system used in SOCOM, the voice-controlled orders are a nice addition. Overall the voice system works, but at times it can be less than responsive. As always, these times are usually during heavy firefights or when it really matters.

The targeting reticule is unusual, at least when compared to other games. When standing still, the reticule will widen and auto-target anyone in range. While running, the reticule shrinks, forcing you to carefully target things. This system may not be popular with run-n-gun players, but it helps to add some realism to the game. Unfortunately, like the voice-command system, the targeting controls tend to break down at times and can be rather unresponsive.

Overall, Rainbow Six 3 is a good game -- just not on this particular platform. If you have the luxury of getting the game for the PC or Xbox, then by all means take that option. Those limited to the PS2 will still have fun if you can overlook the game's flaws.