Multiplayer Tactics We’d Like To See In Rainbow Six: Patriots (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3)

Initially announced way back at the 2011 Spike Video Game Awards, Rainbow Six: Patriots has been highly anticipated by fans of the franchise.  Unfortunately, news about the sequel has been very seldom, with Ubisoft instead focusing on more immediate projects like Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Blacklist and Assassin’s Creed III downloadable content.  But we’re sure it’s still coming down the road, with some more information likely to be unveiled at E3.

In the meantime, we’re left wondering just what should be added to the sequel.  We already know that you’ll be fighting against a shadowy new faction that’s trying to create unrest in America, so the enemy is pretty well established.  But what other tactical stuff should be introduced in the game?  We’ve got a few ideas, including ones that have paid off in previous Rainbow Six endeavors, namely the two Vegas sub-chapters that came out for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 beforehand.

If you’ve got suggestions, we’re all ears, but here are a few that we’d like to see applied in Patriots…

Ideal Use of the New Sand Table Holographic Display

First announced with the game’s reveal over a year ago, this display supposedly helps you set up a plan of attack on each stage with your crew before you head out for battle.  Obviously team work is a good focus to have, but with this new tool, here’s to hoping that there are multiple options available for each mission.  Sure, “go on the attack” seems like a pretty good idea, depending on how much manpower is waiting for you, but sometimes you need an alternate plan, like having a soldier create a distraction while others run in, or maybe even taking the complete stealth approach.  With this “sand table”, here’s hoping variance is the name of the game – or better with the option to improvise and create your own course.

Better Online Co-Op

If there’s one thing we can’t stand, it’s being put into a co-op session of a game that’s depending quite a bit on it, only to be paired up with some rookie player that can’t chew the leather or constantly falls behind.  With Patriots, we hope that Ubisoft considers some sort of ranking system, where the pros can team up with the pros and get down to business, or first-time players can get together and get a better idea of how the basics click.  It’s a matter of implementing a decent rating system and perhaps even applying a skill set that tells you how you’re doing, like over the course of the single player campaign.  After all, one player’s screw-up can easily shift the difference between life and death.

Customization Galore

With Rainbow Six: Patriots, you’re only as good as your load-out.  It’s one thing to try and go with a heavy gun, but if you run out of ammunition, your team may have to pick up the slack for you.  So, hopefully, Ubisoft will consider optimization with loadouts for Patriots, allowing players to choose different types of positions, weapons and skill sets, so they can fit comfortably into a part of the team and function properly.  And in the single player mode, they can also play around with various options to see what fits them better.  And while we’re talking customization, we should bring up…

Armor, Your New Best Friend

Rainbow Six: Patriots would benefit from introducing varying types of armor, from the heavy set that could easily slow you down to a lighter, less durable kind that can keep you alive in the heat of combat.  You could take the gutsy route and deal with none at all, giving you the best speed available, but sometimes it just helps to be prepared and wear at least a little something to avoid death.

The Return of Old Friends

Classic weapons from Rainbow Six should make the cut in Patriots somewhere.  While new-age hardware will no doubt be necessary for some missions, we’d like to see a return of classic weapons, assault rifles like the FAMAS, FNC, M4862, AK-47 (always a favorite), the 552 Commando, the M8 and G36C.  For that matter, let’s also get a few sub-machine guns for good measure, including the P90, the UMP 45, the Aug Para and the Type-5.  (And if they don’t make it into the main game, there’s always DLC.)

Finally, Realism, But Not Overboard Realism

With Rainbow Six, it’s important that Ubisoft maintains that balance that really makes you feel like you’re part of a tactical unit in a life or death situation.  The physics should feel as if you’re heavily relied on to get through each mission, with a realistic dynamic that applies to the gameplay.  That said, Ubisoft doesn’t want to go too overboard on the drama, like EA’s Medal of Honor: Warfighter did.  It’s a matter of finding that balance, and sticking with it.  It worked for the previous games.

We’ll have more information on Rainbow Six: Patriots as it comes directly from Ubisoft.