Originally scheduled as a launch title for the Dreamcast, Rainbow Six was mysteriously absent on launch day and continued to be for another 9 months.  Now, the game is finally available and, despite its tardiness, it's the first game of its kind to appear on the Dreamcast.   

Part first person shooter, part strategy game, Rainbow Six utilizes true-to-life strategy and action.  The game begins with players choosing to either complete the training mode, or go head first into the fray where they will control a team of up to six members who embark on various missions that call for a S.W.A.T. team.  One should not expect to just go out and start the mission though.  First, players will need to assemble a team, equip them with the appropriate armor and weapons, study the map of the mission's location, and then plot out a step-by-step infiltration route.  Not only that, but each mission has different objectives that require certain team members in order to be completed.  For example, a hostage rescue mission will need a combination of assault and recon specialists, while a mission involving bomb disarming will require a demolitions expert.  A big part of the game is the planning phase and if you don't think it through, it’s likely that your team will not complete the mission in one piece.

Once the planning has been thought through, the player begins the mission in control of one team, with the ability to change to any other team at any time.  It’s possible to either control each team one at a time, or just control one team and let the CPU control your other teams.  In early missions, it’s okay to let the CPU have some control, but in later missions it’s the easiest way to get your team killed.  You can keep an eye on the CPU teams by requesting their status from time to time via radio.  If you call out for a status check and a team reports that they're under fire, you can switch to their team and make sure the CPU doesn't bungle the mission for you.

While controlling a team, it is important to remember that this is a game based on real life.  You can't just go barging in with guns-a-blazin' or you'll never complete any missions.  In most cases, stealth is essential to success.  It's not all about creeping around and picking off terrorists from afar though.  If you are using an assault rifle without a silencer, you will be detected very quickly.  However, if you picked your weapons carefully in the planning phase and brought a silencer when you needed it, you'd be much better off.  The action and the planning are very closely knit in this game and the result is a very realistic feeling.

Cosmetically, the Dreamcast version of Rainbow Six looks just like the PC version.  Some might say the locations are a bit bland, but once again, I must point out that this is a realistic game.  An oil refinery or an old, abandoned house is not going to be interesting to look at.  The locations are realistic and, as a result, are not gushing with pretty colors.  Everything is sharp looking, though, and the game obviously takes advantage of the Dreamcast's power.  All you need to do is look at the PlayStation version to realize how good the Dreamcast version looks.

Those of you who are worried the Dreamcast controller may not be up to the task of all the game's complicated controls need not worry.  The Dreamcast controller works great and despite the many combinations of buttons for some actions, things work wonderfully and the control is very functional. 

Overall, Rainbow Six is a very polished game and even though there is no multiplayer mode, the Eagle Watch missions -- which are sold separately on the PC -- are included.  It may take a couple of hours to get the hang of this game, but the time and effort is rewarded ten-fold.  Definitely worthy of purchase or at least a rental.