Written by: Stephen Smith

The Rainbow Six franchise is one of the most long running and beloved series in recent gaming history – so it should come as no real surprise that its fifth official installment is finally making its way onto the Sony PSP after making a big splash on the Xbox 360, and PC.

Features:

• Expansive single player mode where you will visit fight terrorist in and around Las Vegas.
  
  
• Exclusive content for the Sony PSP version including new characters, story elements, and control settings.
  
  
• Multiplayer modes that include both Ad-hoc, and Infrastructure modes with new and classic maps.

As you may have derived Rainbow Six: Vegas takes place in – yeah, you guessed it, Vegas. This may seem at first like an unlikely place for a covert squad shooter, but surprisingly it turns out to be a fantastic and original setting for covert operations. Ubisoft also decided to take the high road by creating an all new storyline, and characters for the Sony PSP version. You will play through most of the game as Brian Armstrong, a Rainbow operative who at the beginning of the game is assigned a typical hostage rescue mission. However, Brian soon finds himself in the middle of a insidious terrorist plot to poison the local water supply.

The single player mode in Rainbow Six: Vegas is just what you would expect. You have the standard plan, observe, and assault design, but since this is the Sony PSP version Ubisoft has made few gameplay adjustments to make it easer for gamers on the go. For starters you can fully customize the controls, so no matter if you like the analog nub, or the digital pad you will be in covert heaven. Rainbow Six: Vegas even tries to give the design a more unique feel by having players switching roles as a field operative, and a sniper. This dual mechanic succeeds in upping the action element, and making a far more compelling single player experience.

Don’t worry, Rainbow Six: Vegas will still contain all the essentials that made this series a hit in the first place. Like previous incarnations you can switch to a 3rd person perspective to seek cover from the onslaught of enemy fire. You will also have the ability to use a lock on feature that allows players to easily target the head or body of an assailant. Also expect lots of hi tech gadgetry like snake cams to make things for your squad a lot easier.

The multiplayer aspect to Rainbow Six: Vegas is a fully fleshed out design. There are a plethora of game play modes, which will include all the standards like survivor, and team survivor modes. Combine this with support for both Ad-Hoc and Infrastructure modes. Did I also mention that classic maps from previous Rainbow Six games will be available for multiplayer fun? We here feel that any way you look at it, Rainbow Six: Vegas has one of the best multiplayer feature list of any Sony PSP title.

Rainbow Six: Vegas is coming together quite nicely. Looks like Ubisoft is finally taking the handheld market seriously by offering a game designed from the ground up for the Sony PSP that isn’t just a stripped down port. Look for details and coverage as the release date for this squad shooter draws closer.