Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2 (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3)

Tom Clancy returns to Sin City in TOM CLANCY'S RAINBOW SIX VEGAS 2, a gripping sequel with intense commando-style action. You lead Rainbow's Bravo team squad as Bishop. Your goal is to thwart a terrorist threat in Las Vegas from mastermind Alvarez Cabrero. Joining you on this quest are two teammates, paving the way for impressive tactical possibilities.

The familiar tactical controls remain, cultivating an environment where strategy is crucial. You can command squadmates to perform basic tasks like regroup, hold position, or clear a room. A fresh wrinkle allows computer-controlled peers to suppress enemies with grenade tosses. Players can also adjust rules of engagement between assault and infiltrate. Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 adds the RPG staple of leveling up with experience points, frequently earned by specific kills. As you earn points, you're rewarded with a higher rank and unlockable gear. You can also earn ACES, or specialization points, depending on how skilled you are in markmanship, close-quarters combat, and assault techniques.

This second chapter of the Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas series looks more polished than the original, from sharper visuals to a sleeker interface. Levels are cleverly designed to force you to retain focus, and plenty of obstacles litter the landscapes, allowing foes to hide easily. The cover system makes for easy transitions behind obstacles. The campaign is playable with a friend, but the computer-controller squadmates still prove useful. They clear rooms quickly and efficiently. Your team's skills are balanced enough that you'll never feel like you're carrying the team. If the campaign isn't enough, there's also an intriguing Terrorist Hunt mode. Going solo or with a team, you invade a map and must kill all the terrorists within. There's also an assortment of multiplayer and co-op modes to choose from.