Comments: 2 Comments (Go to Comments)
Categories: Commentary
Tags: 360, difficulty, politics, rainbow six, realism, vegas
I’m playing Rainbow Six: Las Vegas again and on my third playthrough, I decided I’d give Realistic a shot. I’m currently stuck on the mission at Dante’s Casino, where Jung is hacking a data hub on stage in an auditorium, while Michael and I kill waves of terrorists. Well, mentally I’m stuck on it. Currently I’m at work writing about it, but you see my point.
It’s hard enough on whatever the default difficulty is, but on Realistic, it’s a nightmare. I wish I could activate godmode and turn the programmers into pillars of salt, but that’s not an option on the 360. When and if I get past this meat-grinder of a level, I still have the horrific confrontation at the dam to look forward, too.
The biggest difference between Realistic and Normal is that getting shot does more damage and it takes longer to regenerate health. Oh, and you can only carry four grenades, not six. That doesn’t sound like a lot, but effectively it’s the difference between being The Punisher or a Red Shirt. Probably the only noteworthy outcome of going through this demoralizing, frustrating, and completely self-induced challenge is insight I’ve gained into what passes for realism in video games.
So here’s what I think should happen when gamers select Realistic.
Normal
Three soldiers are sent into Las Vegas to fight an army of terrorists, most of whom are clones and are completely obsessed with Marcello (who the Rainbow team killed in Mexico). Fallen Rainbow members are quickly revived with shot of magic healing solution, except for the team leader. Rainbow team members resupply at equipment caches found just after checkpoints, which are either beamed in or are part of some municipal program the federal government should look into. Rainbow defeats terrorists, saves dams and Vegas, but leave enough baddies for a sequel.
Realistic
Vegas is evacuated and cordoned off. Members of the U.S. military not deployed overseas or in Call of Duty 4 are called in to fight the army of terrorists. The FDA still hasn’t approved the magic healing solution so fallen soldiers are patched up and sent back into combat. U.S. soldiers are resupplied on the field by equipment delivered by Blackwater. Mission accomplished, but the game doesn’t end.
On February 14th, 2008 at 8:00 am, Silvercube wrote:
I love games that are not realistic.
That’s why I don’t have COD4 or RSV. Its too real for me.
I prefer the sci-fi shooters or even better, Team Fortress 2.
I have a hard time killing things in video games - the graphics make it seem to real for me now. Even in the Goldeneye 007 age I was terrified of the “enemies.” My brother would laugh at me, and say “Ok, I will play this level for you.”
I like games that are more friendlier.. happier..
Which means Nintendo practically ^_^
Can’t wait for Super Smash Bros. Brawl!
On February 14th, 2008 at 8:06 am, Terry wrote:
FPSes used to really freak me out, but I’m inured at this point. Thief was the worst, though, since Garrett couldn’t take any hits.
I also blanched at playing Fallout as an evil mofo.
But yeah, Nintendo is awesome. I love my DS and I’m digging Prof. Layton.