Rainbow Six 4: Lockdown hands-on preview

Last week, at Microsoft's swanky headquarters in London, Ubisoft held a preview event for Rainbow Six: Lockdown on Xbox. It was a preview event with a difference, rather than being chock full of boring journalists such as yours truly, Ubisoft had invited along a selection of gamers.

It's a novel approach and one to be applauded. All too often games are shown off to cynical journalists who feel they've seen it all before. There was much more an air of excitement about the vent due to the broader background of those attending. The event gave us a chance to sample both the single player and multiplayer aspects of the game on Xbox.

Lockdown

While Rainbow Six: Black Arrow was a mere update to Rainbow Six: 3, Lockdown is an all new game with many new features. Originally set for a summer release, we are now going to have wait until September to get our hands on the game, but patience is a virtue, right?

The versions of the game shown at the preview event were coming along nicely. The single player game was the most advanced, with graphical features not yet implemented in the multiplayer sections. By September though, the multiplayer aspects of the game will be looking as good as the single player.

High gloss finish

Lockdown is clearly the best looking game of the series on console. While you will recognise the graphics from previous games, there's more detail, more effects and a higher general level of polish. The mission briefings were particularly detailed, with rendered elements and good voice acting.

This level of polish continues through into the missions, with scripted scenes often setting the scene before the player takes control. For example, the second mission, which is set in Amsterdam, begins with a surveillance mission going badly wrong and the player is suddenly thrown into a dangerous firefight

Sniper killer

Perhaps the biggest change to the series in Lockdown is that you're able to play in two very different modes. Traditionally you take on the role of Domingo "Ding" Chavez, leading a team of three other Rainbow Six members.

Here in Lockdown you also get an opportunity to play as marksman Dieter Weber in a seperate sniper mode. It's not unlike arcade gun games where you pick out targets in your scope and take them down before they can kill you or your team. These sniper mode missions appear during the single-player game as part of the plot.

There's no traditional sniper scope here though, instead we have the very latest in weapons technology. Webber's sniper rifle features a video-scope with a rectangular viewfinder, ideal for taking a good look at threats. Of course, you can still zoom in, but the scope offers a very clear view of the battlefield.

Team in action

But let's get back to the traditional single-player gameplay now. Once again we take control of Ding and command a team of three other Rainbow Six operatives. In past games the team has been made up of characters from the book, this time though Ubisoft has added a selection of other characters that will become part of the story.

The view and HUD is fairly familiar, the idea that this is information relayed on goggles continues - with a shattered visor being a clear signal of imminent death. As far as commanding the team goes, there are more options now. Doors can be breached with shotguns or a hammer, instead of the traditional charge. Raven Shield's Heartbeat Sensor makes into the game too.

Meanwhile the whole team appears to be more intelligent, taking up good covering positions. You can tell the team to take position by the end of a wall and they will scout around the corner in a similar way to Full Spectrum Warrior. Ding also makes use of more hand signals, though the build I played had only one of these implemented at the time.

Smarts

The use of team orders is integral to Rainbow Six and the tactical feel of Lockdown is higher than previous games. It's a real thinking, as well as shooting, game. The tactical focus is clear when breaching doors. Gone is the option to send the team immediately into action - instead a "Go" command always has to be given, a more realistic approach I think.

You'll certainly have to have your wits about you playing the game. New environmental dangers are as big a hazard as enemy gunfire. Gas canisters, fire and even trip wires are something you are going to have to watch out for.

And of course there's the enemy danger too. Tangos work together in a team and show more smarts than previous versions. Two difficulty levels let you customise your challenge, but this is by no means an easy game. Especially now as the enemy won't hang around and in fact can actually breach a door to come and attack the Rainbow Six team.

Great visuals

Rainbow Six: Lockdown is certainly the best looking game of the franchise so far. Integral to this is the actual mission locations, which provide a way of showing off the graphics engine. Previous games tended to stick to dark, cramped locations. In Lockdown we have city streets in daylight - and in locations such as the centre of Amsterdam you will be impressed.

There are better looking shooters around on Xbox, Ghost Recon 2 for example - but Lockdown is still a good looking game. Features such as pupil dilation, light bloom and great particle effects for fire, smoke and glass smashing add to a rather attractive game.

The in game sound is impressive too, with chunky gunfire and quality sound effects. I wish I could say the same for the music; it's the usual nu-metal that infects so many of Ubisoft games these days - sadly even Prince of Persia.

But let's not end on a bad note. Rainbow Six: Lockdown is showing a lot of promise. It's clear there is some way to go before the game is finished, but nearly all the changes since the last game in the franchise seem positive. The inclusion of the new sniper mode alongside the many multiplayer modes and the more open daylight levels show a franchise that is really maturing. Roll on September.